Syria War - Where the news should be.

[wizardwatson]

Meanwhile....

While we feast our eyes on some more carnage, there's still this little situation of the bolts flying off of ISIS frankenstein.

The same day the San Bernardino situation happens (today, still developing) we have tectonic movements in international politics that will likely go unnoticed now.

Just today:

1. In a complete dick move in the middle of all that's going on US led NATO adds another country infuriating Russia.
2. Russia provides evidence Erdogan regime involved in ISIS oil and Pentagon rebukes it based on how much of a "great partner" Turkey is although admitting it hasn't reviewed evidence.
3. UK government votes to join in on Syria-ISIS bombing citing UNSC resolution.

All but Russia chanting "Assad must go" but committing to strike at ISIS directly in Syria.

Here's an article trying to explain situation:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-12-02/syria-decoded-explaining-conflict-one-infographic

Decoding the war in Syria is not for the faint of heart.

The situation on the ground is, and always has been, impossibly convoluted. The hodgepodge of rebels, militants, and jihadists battling Assad’s army for control of the country would be confusing enough on its own without having to take into account the myriad state sponsors that fund, arm, and train the opposition.

In addition to covert (and we use that term loosely because at this juncture, the fact that the US and its regional allies are backing the Sunni extremists operating in the country is just about the worst kept secret in the geopolitical universe) support, numerous world powers are engaged in overt military ops. Russia is in the skies above western Syria while the US, France, and (soon) Britain are flying in the east. Turkey conducts bombing runs along its border with Syria and Iran has a heavy troop presence operating under cover of Russian airstrikes.

Meanwhile, Ankara has been accused of enabling the Islamic State crude trade and it seems at least possible that ISIS oil eventually ends up in Israel as part of the same cargoes that contain Kurdish oil.

Finally, the YPG is waging an honest war against Islamic State and would probably be even more successful than they already are if their “allies” in Washington were serious about the fight.

Oh, and al-Qaeda is around too, surviving off aid to al-Nusra from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

For those looking to make sense of it all, we present the following infographic which should go some ways towards untangling what has become one of the most complex, convoluted wars in recent memory.

[wiz: I modified the graphic slightly]

Here's George Galloway talking about "why" Syria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uees-iozqUU



Here's Assad explaining the Western conspiracy against the Middle East if you were still struggling with why the US says this guy must go, from July 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS3FJGd0hsA



And here's a nice graphic showing terrorism increases since Syrian war began. I would also point out that the NATO extermination of the Gaddafi regime also took place in 2011.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-17/global-terrorism-index-increase/6947200

We have far exceeded the "terrorist instability" than at the worst point in the Iraq conflict. Not to mention the political situation with Russia.

 

[Miss Annie]

This is no surprise. Erdogan has been more than vocal about his Ottoman aspirations. He is using Obama (Obama is more than a willing participant) and our tax dollars and our military (NATO too) to accomplish his Ottoman goals.

ISIS as well "the Syrian rebels" are just his foot soldiers carrying the water.

This is what the FSA was all about. This is what the Arab Spring was all about. This is why the US has been knocking over all those secular dictators and creating all those vacuums in the ME.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/03/30/356577/erdogan-dreams-a-neoottoman-empire/

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/12/erdogan-ottoman-turkish-mandatory-language-instruction.html#

http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/2259/turkey-erdogan-ottoman-region

https://www.rt.com/news/assad-interview-exclusive-syria-265/

 

[charrob]

This is no surprise. Erdogan has been more than vocal about his Ottoman aspirations. He is using Obama (Obama is more than a willing participant) and our tax dollars and our military (NATO too) to accomplish his Ottoman goals.

ISIS as well "the Syrian rebels" are just his foot soldiers carrying the water.

This is what the FSA was all about. This is what the Arab Spring was all about. This is why the US has been knocking over all those secular dictators and creating all those vacuums in the ME.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/03/30/356577/erdogan-dreams-a-neoottoman-empire/

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/12/erdogan-ottoman-turkish-mandatory-language-instruction.html#

http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/2259/turkey-erdogan-ottoman-region

https://www.rt.com/news/assad-interview-exclusive-syria-265/

-just curious Annie what your thoughts are on Egypt. I think Tunisia was grassroots and this took those in power by surprise. But Egypt i'm not sure about. Was the overthrow of Mubarak grassroots? How about Morsi? Everything after that was, imho, definitely not grassroots. It was the normal regime change players infiltrating Libya and Syria. But Egypt am just not sure about...

 

[Miss Annie]

-just curious Annie what your thoughts are on Egypt. I think Tunisia was grassroots and this took those in power by surprise. But Egypt i'm not sure about. Was the overthrow of Mubarak grassroots? How about Morsi? Everything after that was, imho, definitely not grassroots. It was the normal regime change players infiltrating Libya and Syria. But Egypt am just not sure about...

Hi Charrob
Egypt too, was part of the Soros/US/EU/TurkeyQatar/Saudi/ funded Arab Spring. These were NOT spontaneous. They pretty much went down the same as Ukraine.
Egypt actually raided the offices and found the proof of the NGOs training protesters and shit disturbers there - just like they did here with Ferguson, Baltimore, and BLM and OWS. They ramped it up and sent in snipers just like Ukraine to make the body count and violence on the radar escalate. Of course, with all that going on - "good people " want to help those that are "suffering" under the hands of the secular dictators and they push intervention. The violence from the snipers was always blamed on the armies and the dictators. No different than we hear about Assad.

Once the overthrow in Egypt was complete, they put Mubarek in jail and had a "pretend" election where Morsi was installed. Morsi was Muslim Brotherhood. He took Egypt into chaos for about a year. He pretty much installed Sharia and the country economically was in chaos.

The people took to the streets. Sisi was in charge of the army at that time and he arrested Morsi and put the country under military control for a few months.
They had elections and Sisi was elected as President. Sisi operates mostly as a secular dictator. He has no tolerance for the Muslim Brotherhood after what happened. Most countries in the Middle East have designated the Brotherhood as a terrorist org - except Turkey. No surprise there. Turkey protects the Brotherhood just as they protect ISIS.
If this country designated them as a terrorist org....... there would be a lot less foot traffic to the WH!

Sisi is a good guy and he has spoken out against "radicalism" in Islamic theology. The Christians love Sisi because his policy protects them and other minority Muslims.

The "radicals" spread the lies that the Arab Spring was "organic" and that the military takeover of the government was done by the "bad guys". Those radicals include the same countries and entities that are disturbing the shite today; Turkey, Qatar, Saudi, EU (selected countries), US, etc... I fully believe that ISIS AND Turkey are going to invade Egypt.

Here are some links.
There is a transcript of the speech that Sisi gave the speech in regards to a "renewed vision of Islam".
http://www.raymondibrahim.com/from-the-arab-world/egypts-sisi-islamic-thinking-is-antagonizing-the-entire-world/

Muslim Brotherhood Official - We rule Morsi
http://www.clarionproject.org/news/muslim-brotherhood-official-we-rule-morsi#

Soros fingered for Egypt's unrest
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?341615-Soros-fingered-in-Egypt-unrest&highlight=Muslim+Brotherhood

Muslim Brotherhood’s dream of an Islamist Egypt fades as Morsi is sentenced to death
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/06/17/world/politics-diplomacy-world/muslim-brotherhoods-dream-islamist-egypt-fades-morsi-sentenced-death/#.VmDQUXr7s_t

Sisi visits church ... a nation recovers
http://www.albawabaeg.com/49684

This is such an amazing video! You can see how the Christians love Sisi for saving the nation, and their lives. Christian persecution, deaths, beheadings, church burnings, demanding of jizya, were all rampant during Morsi's rule.
Egypt’s Sisi Becomes First President to Attend Christmas Mass

 

[charrob]

Hi Charrob
Egypt too, was part of the Soros/US/EU/TurkeyQatar/Saudi/ funded Arab Spring. These were NOT spontaneous. They pretty much went down the same as Ukraine.
Egypt actually raided the offices and found the proof of the NGOs training protesters and shit disturbers there - just like they did here with Ferguson, Baltimore, and BLM and OWS. They ramped it up and sent in snipers just like Ukraine to make the body count and violence on the radar escalate. Of course, with all that going on - "good people " want to help those that are "suffering" under the hands of the secular dictators and they push intervention. The violence from the snipers was always blamed on the armies and the dictators. No different than we hear about Assad.

Once the overthrow in Egypt was complete, they put Mubarek in jail and had a "pretend" election where Morsi was installed. Morsi was Muslim Brotherhood. He took Egypt into chaos for about a year. He pretty much installed Sharia and the country economically was in chaos.

The people took to the streets. Sisi was in charge of the army at that time and he arrested Morsi and put the country under military control for a few months.
They had elections and Sisi was elected as President. Sisi operates mostly as a secular dictator. He has no tolerance for the Muslim Brotherhood after what happened. Most countries in the Middle East have designated the Brotherhood as a terrorist org - except Turkey. No surprise there. Turkey protects the Brotherhood just as they protect ISIS.
If this country designated them as a terrorist org....... there would be a lot less foot traffic to the WH!

Sisi is a good guy and he has spoken out against "radicalism" in Islamic theology. The Christians love Sisi because his policy protects them and other minority Muslims.

The "radicals" spread the lies that the Arab Spring was "organic" and that the military takeover of the government was done by the "bad guys". Those radicals include the same countries and entities that are disturbing the shite today; Turkey, Qatar, Saudi, EU (selected countries), US, etc... I fully believe that ISIS AND Turkey are going to invade Egypt.

Here are some links.
There is a transcript of the speech that Sisi gave the speech in regards to a "renewed vision of Islam".
http://www.raymondibrahim.com/from-the-arab-world/egypts-sisi-islamic-thinking-is-antagonizing-the-entire-world/

Muslim Brotherhood Official - We rule Morsi
http://www.clarionproject.org/news/muslim-brotherhood-official-we-rule-morsi#

Soros fingered for Egypt's unrest
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?341615-Soros-fingered-in-Egypt-unrest&highlight=Muslim+Brotherhood

Muslim Brotherhood’s dream of an Islamist Egypt fades as Morsi is sentenced to death
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/06/17/world/politics-diplomacy-world/muslim-brotherhoods-dream-islamist-egypt-fades-morsi-sentenced-death/#.VmDQUXr7s_t

Sisi visits church ... a nation recovers
http://www.albawabaeg.com/49684

This is such an amazing video! You can see how the Christians love Sisi for saving the nation, and their lives. Christian persecution, deaths, beheadings, church burnings, demanding of jizya, were all rampant during Morsi's rule.
Egypt’s Sisi Becomes First President to Attend Christmas Mass

Thanks so much Annie. It's hard to know for sure. I've heard such awful things about Sisi... that he has 14,000 political prisoners who have not been charged with a crime... that prisoners in Egypt are being unmercifully tortured and that it is radicalizing them to join ISIS when they get out... that they now have a law stating that protest isn't allowed without government approval and of course approval is never given for protests... that the death penalty was given to over 100 people who never were even charged with a crime... and on and on.

We give, and have given, Egypt huge amounts of money every year to weaponize and train their military and police (who then suppress their own people with this) and Mubarak made sure he followed U.S. dictates. So why would the U.S. government want to overthrow Mubarak? He did their bidding for them. It just seems more possible that Mubarak was ousted through grass roots protests. Morsi was Democratically Elected which was sad to see since there were better options; nevertheless it was not the right of Sisi to overthrow a democratically elected government. My gut says Morsi's overthrow was not entirely grassroots, but then I can be definitely wrong in this. Surely all of these leaders seem like brutal dictators.

Medea Benjamin (Code Pink) flew into Egypt for something last year to protest... I think she was going to protest for the Palestinians but not sure... anyhow upon arrival in the airport Sisi's goons stopped her and threw her in this dark dungeon like prison for 2 days and beat her up badly. She has never totally recovered and recently had another operation on her shoulder which still gives her pain. I follow her pages on antiwar stuff and her friends had immediately contacted the U.S. embassy in Egypt at the time; the U.S. embassy refused to do _anything_ for her! Can you believe? Eventually she got out with of course no charges against her since she did nothing wrong! I just don't have a good feeling at all about this Sisi regime... he just sounds like a monster... that said, i'll go through your pages to read up on him to see if maybe the story i'm hearing is not quite right... just haven't read enough about his regime to understand what's really going on right now... thanks for writing...

 

[vita3]

Sisi is a rough military leader that is in a real & brutal war w/ Muslim brotherhood.

Hard to judge how overboard he really is compared to other side that kills anyone of other faith, blows innocents up, burns churches etc

I'm seeing good hearted folks (code pink) (true humanitarian's) stepping into these conflicts & being dangerously naive of the brutality on all sides.

 

[wizardwatson]

So Putin is extending an olive branch. That's how I see it anyway.

"The", and I do mean "The" chance to end this peacefully is before all parties.

Here is Putin's full statement on the Cessation of Hostilities that is to go into effect 12am Feb. 27th Damascus time. (4pm Friday, RPF (Central) time). All relevant parties are to declare their participation in the agreement by 12pm Feb. 26th, 12 hours before the deadline.

https://www.rt.com/politics/official-word/333294-putin-syria-ceasefire-us/

The statement was first published on the Kremlin’s official website on Monday. This is the full text:

Friends,

I just had a telephone conversation with President of the United States of America Barack Obama. The phone call was initiated by the Russian side, but the interest was certainly mutual.

During our conversation, we approved joint statements of Russia and the US, as co-chairs of the ISSG, on the cessation of hostilities in Syria. Adoption of the statement was preceded by intensive work by Russian and American experts. We also made use of the positive experience we accumulated over the course of cooperation in eliminating chemical weapons in Syria.

Our negotiators held several rounds of closed consultations. As a result, we were able to reach an important, specific result. It was agreed that the cessation of hostilities in Syria commences at 00:00 (Damascus time) on February 27, 2016 on terms and conditions that are a part of the Russian-American statement.

The essence of these conditions is as follows: by 12:00 pm on February 26, 2016, all parties warring in Syria must indicate to the Russian Federation or our American partners their commitment to the cessation of hostilities. Russian and American troops will jointly delineate the territories where these groups are active. No military action will be taken against them by the Armed Forces of the Syrian Arab Republic, Russian Armed Forces and the US-led coalition. In turn, the opposition will cease all military action against the Armed Forces of the Syrian Arab Republic and other groups supporting them.

ISIS, Jabhat Al-Nursa, and other terrorist organisations designated by the United Nations Security Council, are excluded from the cessation of hostilities. Strikes against them will continue.

It is fundamentally important that Russia and the US, as co-chairs of the ISSG, are prepared to launch effective mechanisms to promote and monitor compliance with the ceasefire by both the Syrian Government and the armed opposition groups.

To achieve this goal, we will establish a communication hotline and, if necessary, a working group to exchange relevant information. Russia will conduct the necessary work with Damascus and the legitimate Syrian leadership. We expect that the United States will do the same with regard to their allies and the groups they support.

I am sure that the joint actions agreed upon with the American side will be enough to radically reverse the crisis situation in Syria. We are finally seeing a real chance to bring an end to the long-standing bloodshed and violence. As a result, humanitarian access to all Syrian citizens in need should be made easier.

Most important is the creation of conditions for launching a long-term political process through a broad inter-Syrian dialogue in Geneva, under the auspices of the UN.

Unfortunately, recent history has many examples where one-sided actions not sanctioned by the UN, which favour short-term political or opportunistic interests, have led to dramatic results. These examples are on everyone’s lips: Somalia, Iraq, Libya, Yemen.

Against this background, Russian-American agreements on the cessation of hostilities in Syria, and their joint implementation in coordination with all nations participating in the International Syria Support Group, can become an example of responsible actions the global community takes against the threat of terrorism, which are based on international law and UN principles.

I would like to hope that the Syrian leadership and all our partners in the region and beyond will support the set of actions chosen by representatives of Russia and the US.

If you've been following you know how significant this is.

To me, it's significant whether or not it works. If it doesn't, escalation is likely inevitable. If it does, we've just witnessed a tectonic shift in global power and foreign policy. Iran is already reporting Russia will help in Yemen, the same way it is helping in Iraq and Syria and Lebanon.

So the intent of Russia is clear. And the implications for Turkey, KSA, and Israel are paradigm shifting.

Whatever happens, Putin has positioned himself expertly. Russia is in a good position to have the moral high ground at the UN should things get wonky. The fact that the U.S. is capitulating doesn't worry me. It seems by design, as if that was what Obama was hired to do. Weaken us and pass the baton to a new world order. What worries me is the Middle Eastern countries who we may be leaving out to dry. Turkey, KSA, Israel.

Will this peace deal hold?

Will certain countries let it stand knowing that Russia will be setting a precedent for peace and completely turn the tables in the long term in the vacuum left by the U.S. who sided with the war parties? Notice how Putin specifically mentions the illegal wars in Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Yemen. He's saying game over.

We'll know one way or the other in a few weeks.

 

[wizardwatson]

Oh, and by the way. I just love having to find out what my President is doing about the worst and most dangerous foreign policy disaster since the Cuban Missile Crisis from the President of Russia.

Way to go, POTUS.

 

[forsmant]

What does this mean for our future?

 

[Danke]

What does this mean for our future?

"Our" future? Please don't include us in that.

 

[wizardwatson]

What does this mean for our future?

You live in Omaha, so like me, you didn't have much of one to begin with.

I wouldn't worry.

 

[forsmant]

"Our" future? Please don't include us in that.

If I can't include you than its no future I want

 

[forsmant]

You live in Omaha, so like me, you didn't have much of one to begin with.

I wouldn't worry.

Hey Omaha is a big deal

 

[wizardwatson]

Hey Omaha is a big deal

Why? Cuz Nebraska Furniture Mart and because Buffett lives there so he can pretend he's Sam Walton?

I will admit, your zoo seems pretty nice.

 

[wizardwatson]

Finally caught up have we?

I don't like this channel, let's go back to discussing gender neutral bathrooms and how Mr. Trump is going to save us from milquetoast weaklings like Ron and Rand.

 

[wizardwatson]

The great negotiator.

 

[nikcers]

What does this mean for our future?

 

[Pauls' Revere]

Oh, and by the way. I just love having to find out what my President is doing about the worst and most dangerous foreign policy disaster since the Cuban Missile Crisis from the President of Russia.

Way to go, POTUS.

"Not since the Cuban missile crisis" - meh.

It was almost four years ago to the day that Obama dropped missiles on Syria.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/09/us/politics/obama-syria-chemical-weapons.html

Still, the administration knew all along that it had probably not gotten all of the chemical weapons, and tried to get Russia to help press Syria, without success. “We always knew we had not gotten everything, that the Syrians had not been fully forthcoming in their declaration,” Mr. Blinken said.

Even before last week’s chemical attack, many veterans of Mr. Obama’s team considered his handling of Syria his biggest failing and expressed regret that their administration did not stop a war that has left more than 400,000 dead and millions displaced.

 

[nikcers]

"Not since the Cuban missile crisis" - meh.

It was almost four years ago to the day that Obama dropped missiles on Syria.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/09/us/politics/obama-syria-chemical-weapons.html

Still, the administration knew all along that it had probably not gotten all of the chemical weapons, and tried to get Russia to help press Syria, without success. “We always knew we had not gotten everything, that the Syrians had not been fully forthcoming in their declaration,” Mr. Blinken said.

Even before last week’s chemical attack, many veterans of Mr. Obama’s team considered his handling of Syria his biggest failing and expressed regret that their administration did not stop a war that has left more than 400,000 dead and millions displaced.

How many Russians did Obama kill in Syria?

 

[Pauls' Revere]

How many Russians did Obama kill in Syria?

Undisclosed. Need to know basis.