Posted on 06/04/2015 7:51:12 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
The regime of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria is facing what U.S. experts say is the most intense pressure since the early days of the four-year conflict . This new squeeze poses some stark choices for the United States, Russia, Iran and Syria’s neighbors.
“Based on current trend lines, it is time to start thinking about a post-Assad Syria,” argues a U.S. intelligence official. Until recently, U.S. analysts had characterized the situation there as more of a stalemate. But over the past month, rebel gains in northern and southern Syria have begun to tip the balance.
U.S. officials see mounting pressure on Assad from four directions. A potent new rebel coalition known as Jaish al-Fatah, or the Army of Conquest, backed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, seized the capital of Idlib province late last month. Fighting ferociously alongside this coalition is Jabhat al-Nusra, or the al-Nusra Front, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda. Moderate rebels known as the “Southern Front,” backed by the United States and Jordan, are finally gaining some ground in southern Syria. And the Islamic State, the most fearsome group of all, is rampaging across northern, central and eastern Syria.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
It’s in the interest of the U.S. and most the world for Syria to continue to be divided.
For all the Putin-worshipers out there, he’s turned out to be pretty worthless as a friend. He promised missiles to Assad four or more years ago.
What does he care? He’s got billions and he’ll just go to Switzerland and life comfortably the rest of his life.
Iran will just find another puppet and Hezbollah will be the proxy army.
since ISIS seems to be by far the most vicious and ambitious of the groups, shall we assume all of Syria will be part of the caliphate sooner or later? notwithstanding the much mentioned moderate force that is being trained, and which I have no faith in.
It’s a shame. Assad never beheaded or crucified anyone, unlike McCain’s BFFs.
Where are the Juan and Linda brigade?
Turkey is interested Im sure.
I don’t give a $hit about the Jew-hating Assad but his being replaced by ISIS crazies is the worse possible outcome here.
Regional war is looming in the ME.
I get confused when it comes to Turkey. do they want their own caliphate or support ISIS or neither?
If Damascus falls to isis... If I were Shi’ite I’d be looking for a way out NOW.
I think Turkey wants isis to do the dirty work of creating the califate, and when the people tire of isis brutality turkey will swoop in with a slightly more palatable form of islam.
we know Obama is garbage, but McCain is the biggest useful idiot there ever was, posing with the rebels.
Administration propagandists have been spreading that story for several years. The US backed terrorists are the ones that can’t get their act together there.
I’m too confused for words. who is our biggest threat, besides Obama. iran. ISIS. a destabilized region? let them all kill each other, although it seems ISIS is winning. where do the Kurds fit in. and are they as wholesome as the claims? I seem to remember an honor killing in their group once.
We should have propped him up and encouraged the Russians to prop him up, too.
But, noooooo. The Euroweenies had to have their Natural Gas pipeline.
The mgt of Turkey apparently would like to be the head of the Caliphate. Kurds and the legacy of Armenians stand in their way.
I read that Iran just decided. They sent 13,000 republican guard to syria. That is so fantastic. Fight on all.
I really hate it when someone reaches the tipping poin
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