Here's what Russia will be up against if it decides to mess with Turkey

BI ^ | 24 Nov 15 | Jeremy Wilson

[elhombrelibre]

Following the downing of a Russian jet by the Turkish air force this morning, all eyes are on Turkey.

It should come as no surprise that Turkey was capable of taking out a Russian jet so easily. Turkey's military uses cutting-edge equipment, including some brought in from the US and a surprising amount it builds at home.

[prof.h.mandingo]

I agree but don’t underestimate the Turks. They fight like maniacs also. As to Hitler, the Soviets had MASSIVE U.S. help like trucks etc. so they could just churn out tanks, tanks and oh yeah, some more tanks. Also huge amounts of heavy artillery. If they just had infantry they would have lost.

[fingers_crossed]

It’s about time the Kurds get someone to support them. They have been loyal allies even when Saddam was in power. The violence inflicted on the Kurds since the early 1900s is unconscioudable.

Would Obama support a “Kurds lives matter?” No because that is contrary to how he treats allies he deems to be insignificant.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

the published Russian plane travel plot seems to indicate ground to air attacks against ISIS

ISIS has an air force?

[Patton@Bastogne]

“air to ground”

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"air to ground"

That's what it should have said.

[Eternal_Bear]

Turkey could cut off transit rights through the straits and the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean would be in a real pickle.

[cynwoody]

IMHO, I can’t understand at all why Turkey would do this.

Turkey is Muslim. Erdogan is a caliph wannabe. And the Russians are exterminating Muslims.

[2nd Amendment]

I can’t believe it, but in this current situation, I am solidly behind Russia and against the Obama government!

[machogirl]

I thought they all were “cooperating” from the UN security counsel resolution? (not like that would happen anyway)

I don’t trust Barack.

[machogirl]

I think so. US tactical but rumored secretly to have their own.

[machogirl]

The Russians have been bombing in Syria by Turkey for three days now?

I assume there exists some kind of electronic jamming weapon that might make fighter jet pilots be where they aren’t supposed to be?

[Ozark Tom]

How much credence do you give that Germany fighting a multi-front war preserved Britain, which later facilitated operational close support to re-take occupied Europe?

[prof.h.mandingo]

That was a deciding factor for sure. However it gets more complicated than that. Remember Hitler helped out by declaring war on the U.S. after Pearl Harbor. That helped out greatly. I am not really sure Roosevelt could have gotten a war decree passed that soon after the Japanese attack. Hitler may have gotten away with it (two front war) if not for the declaration of war blunder. Imagine the U.S. not involved until maybe 1943 or even later. Japan would have been knocked out sooner but no aid to Russia or at least not the amounts we did send. The American public was demanding we knock out Japan. Midway was a great victory but the push to Guadalcanal was due in part to pressure to get on with the war against Japan.
Prior to us coming in we had already agreed that once we got into the war Germany would receive top priority as it was clearly the most dangerous opponent. If we don't get in Russia is probably knocked out and Britain soon after.
Just my opinion and some alternate history which is one of the joys of history. All the tiny what ifs. BTW at Midway the Japanese search plane that located a carrier had a malfunctioning radio and if I recollect correctly launched late due to problems. Little things that turn battles. Of course Japan never had a realistic change to win. There only hope was to wear us down which was never going to happen with the sneak attack screw up. Yamamoto knew that.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

Russia sets up base in Kurdish territory

[CrimsonTidegirl]

Turkey is not our friend, they are our enemy. Erdogan supports ISIS. Screw Turkey.

BTW, NATO lost its moral high ground when it attacked Christian Serbia to help the muslims.

[Cold Heat]

I can’t disagree with you about Serbia..I actually once had relatives there.

It was another Clinton mistake, as is Hilary’s little effort to unseat Assad.

We are essentially NATO. NATO is nothing without the US.

So, yes, the US has indeed made some strategic errors and both recent examples involved Clintons..Now Obama is having to double down on it.

[Cold Heat]

But insofar as turkey is concerned...

We don’t have a very good relationship since the government has been Islamic in it’s governance and priorities. This was not the case when they joined NATO.

Officially, I would say our relationship is strained, but they are not yet our enemy and not likely to be so. not any more than Jordan, Egypt, some others..