Posted on 03/02/2020 7:00:39 PM PST by caww
Turkish forces have targeted the Syrian regime’s military repeatedly over the last several days..Erdogan blamed Assad for the strike, which U.S. officials said was likely coordinated with the Russian military.
Russian military officials aren’t ready to allow Erdogan to target Assad’s military, which relies on Russia for air support.
“In this situation, the Russian troops’ command can’t guarantee security of flights of Turkish aircraft in the skies over Syria,” Russian Rear Adm. Oleg Zhuravlev, one of the top commanders for Russia’s operations in Syria...
Erdogan and Putin are expected to meet Thursday in Moscow to discuss the crisis and a potential cease-fire.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
Turkey and Russian have fought wars 13 times. One is Islamic and the other has gone back to its Christian roots. Until that basic fact changes any alliance made is going to be temporary at best.
I’m no Tulsi Gabbard fan but she hit the nail on the head with this video clip.
https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1233740452182024193
Putin needs Syria’s ports and airfields for their powr projection in the Middle East as well as to ensure that they can operate in that theater unopposed (by Israel - not going to happen; Jordan - will stand by; Iraq - Nada; Iran - supports Putin; Saudi Arabia - tied down in Yemen, etc.
Putin on the Blitzes, he is.
Syria was a province of the Ottoman Empire only a tad over a century ago. Sultan Erdogan wants it back, I think.
First the Empire, then maybe the Califate. It is interesting that Turkiye is invading Syria and announcing an invasion of Greece, both former provinces.
I think so.
Turkiye was a necessary part of NATO in the last century. It gave us radar and listening posts where we needed them contra USSR and blocked USSR from having easy access to the Mediterranean and prevented a Soviet military move on Istanbul which Russia has coveted for centuries. We still need Incirlik.
[ Turkey and Russia have fought wars 13 times. ]
I had no idea it was that many.
“Stop Arming Terrorists Act”
Interesting bit with Tulsi there.
I notice she failed to mention Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and all that happened on their watch.
That being said, yes, Erdogan seems dangerous.
A lot of mixed feelings about Turkey exist, especially by the Greeks (Cyprus invasion by Turkey for instance?). Turkey threatening a further onslaught of "migrants" if they don't get their way isn't cool. Incirlik... So Turkey threatens not allowing us to use the base because we criticized them for buying Russian weapons?? Look, find a base somewhere else, because why the h-ll is a NATO ally buying Russian weapons and anti missle and getting pissed at us when we say it BS and call them out on it? You either in NATO or your not. And as a buffer against communism as it once was it no longer serves its purpose. We need a buffer against radical Islamists. Greece and Bulgaria. Oh, and Clinton (atlantic globalists) gave Kosovo to the muslims when it was not theirs to give. Another buffer and border of Europe. Turkey's chief goal is to dominate the EU within years, it's not like they hide it. I think that's very dangerous. Hence Brexit.
They act more like a double agent than an ally. We need to have tougher negotiations.
Oh and btw, Trump pulled us out at the right time.
I am willing to bet that Trump is giving Erdogen (our NATO Ally), all the intelligence he needs to fight Syria (and Russia).
Wrongo
Nonsense.
Chief Inspector Clouseau on the job?
All alliances are temporary. Turkey is going to be allied with either the USA or Russia. Putin would welcome NATO’s second largest military with open arms, if Turkey would change sides.
No, it is not the most likely outcome, but Erdogan and Putin do not need to meet in person to keep fighting. With Russia’s help, Turkey could send 3+ million Syrian refugees back across the border. NATO membership has not solved that problem.
Putin would not need to “give” Syria to Turkey, it would just need to allow Turkey to take Syria without preventing it. An ally in its ninth year of civil war is not what most would describe as “strong.” Syria’s importance to the balance of world power is nothing compared with Turkey.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.