Posted on 10/06/2015 6:27:35 AM PDT by WhiskeyX
The North Atlantic Council met today to hold consultations on the potential implications of the recent dangerous military actions of the Russian Federation in and around Syria.
Allies expressed their deep concern with regard to the Russian military build-up in Syria and especially the attacks by the Russian Air Force on Hama, Homs, and Idlib which led to civilian casualties and did not target Da’esh. Allies call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians, to focus its efforts on fighting ISIL, and to promote a solution to the conflict through a political transition.
Russian military actions have reached a more dangerous level with the recent violations of Turkish airspace on 3 October and 4 October by Russian Air Force SU-30 and SU-24 aircraft in the Hatay region. The aircraft in question entered Turkish airspace despite Turkish authorities’ clear, timely and repeated warnings. In accordance with NATO practice, Turkish fighter aircraft responded to these incursions by closing to identify the intruder, after which the Russian planes departed Turkish airspace.
Allies strongly protest these violations of Turkish sovereign airspace, and condemn these incursions into and violations of NATO airspace. Allies also note the extreme danger of such irresponsible behaviour. They call on the Russian Federation to cease and desist, and immediately explain these violations.
Allies call on the Russian side to take all necessary measures to ensure that such violations do not take place in the future.
The security of the Alliance is indivisible, and Allies stand in strong solidarity with Turkey. We will continue to follow the developments on the South-Eastern borders of NATO very closely.
In fact, Assad has what amounts to almost (almost) a tacit cease fire with ISIS & has largely ceded a large area around Raqqa, and along much of the Euphrates River to ISIS.
This may simply be conservation of resources, plus to some degree letting the Kurds and ISIS, and others, duke it out in the North, while Assad tries to hold off the non-ISIS rebels near Damascus.
It's going to be very difficult for Russia to destroy the majority of the various anti-Assad forces from the air. Russia can certainly hurt them, but, eventually, boots on the ground will be needed, and in a big way. Ground support from Iran would basically involve Shiites vs. the 80% or so Sunnis in Syria (supported by Saudi Arabia, and in some cases, by the US). As ugly as the situation is now, it has the likelihood of getting much worse...
One of the really interesting questions is: What does Putin need SAM sites in Syria for?
Price raises in oil will also help the US. We kowtow to the Saudis and they gain market share.
One of the really interesting questions is: What does Putin need SAM sites in Syria for?
Yep. Also, I see the Russkie airplanes are a bristling with air to air missiles. To target the ISIS flying carpets?
Please stop. Your ignorance is blinding.
It’s going to be very difficult for Russia to destroy the majority of the various anti-Assad forces from the air. Russia can certainly hurt them, but, eventually, boots on the ground will be needed, and in a big way. Ground support from Iran would basically involve Shiites vs. the 80% or so Sunnis in Syria (supported by Saudi Arabia, and in some cases, by the US). As ugly as the situation is now, it has the likelihood of getting much worse...
Exactly correct and why is its so sad some FReepers are treating this is like a parlor game. A lot of innocent people are about to die because of the way Putin plays his power politics.
Please stop. Your ignorance is blinding.
The old leftist SHUT UP routine? How very conservative of you, FRiend.
It’s simple. Russia killing crazy Muslims is never a bad thing and does not make one a tool of Kremlin. Most on FR can grasp that concept.
Statement? “Putin, you naughty boy”?????
“fascist Russia run by a mass murdering KGB thug & hostage holding Iran”
1. Soviets were facist. They are long gone. Your views are basically really outdated stereotype.
2. KGB thug yes but I encourage you to see who he took out. He disposed of people who were a threat to his nation.
3.I personally go to Russia. Lovely , hard working people. In fact I love their country.I have many friends there.Putin doesn’t pull people off the street and kill them , thats stupid. His approval rate is 90% and thats not fudged.
4.You are the one instigating and being provoking.
I respect your views but your entire aggressive behavior is on display from the get go.
5. Im letting the accusation of being a leftist go as its obvious you have some issue...FRiend.
“1. Soviets were facist. They are long gone. Your views are basically really outdated stereotype.”
You’re a liar, as many of the videos identified in the following search of YouTube demonstrates:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Russian+fascists
Why do the “so called “ good guys always get to be the “Allies”? I want Putin to say “We want to be the Allies again like we were during WWII even though you think we’re the bad guys.”
The West with “Allies” like Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who needs enemies?
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Yep. Also, I see the Russkie airplanes are a bristling with air to air missiles. To target the ISIS flying carpets?
Indeed. This may be to ward off the Turks, or even to scare us off, but, I think it's far more likely a deal with Iran: You supply cannon fodder, and we will make it near impossible for Israel to go after your nukes.
THAT is the point nearly everyone seems to miss.
However, Putin is in the long run playing an extraordinarily dangerous game. Almost certainly, there will be a nuclear arms race in the ME, and almost certainly, Russia will end up with nukes hitting them, or their forces. Even if the conflict stays "local" to the ME, depending on where the jet stream is, etc., the fallout could go straight to Russia...
For example: http://s.w-x.co/mideast-snow-pattern-7jan15.jpg
Sorry for the slow reply - have been very busy - just popping in here at FR in a very spotty manner.
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