• Backed by Trump; Russia bombs group trained by CIA, Iran troops to join Syria war
    31 replies, posted
[video=youtube;s_h8YISqJRQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_h8YISqJRQ[/video] [QUOTE]BEIRUT/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Hundreds of Iranian troops have arrived in Syria to join a major ground offensive in support of President Bashar al-Assad's government, Lebanese sources said on Thursday, a sign the civil war is turning still more regional and global in scope. Russian warplanes, in a second day of strikes, bombed a camp run by rebels trained by the CIA, the group's commander said, putting Moscow and Washington on opposing sides in a Middle East conflict for the first time since the Cold War. Speaking by video link for an hour, U.S. and Russian military officials discussed ways to ensure their warplanes do not come into conflict as they carry out separate air campaigns over Syria, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters. He said it was the first in a series of conversations. Two Lebanese sources told Reuters hundreds of Iranian troops had reached Syria in the past 10 days with weapons to mount a major ground offensive. They would also be backed by Assad's Lebanese Hezbollah allies and by Shi'ite militia fighters from Iraq, while Russia would provide air support. "The vanguard of Iranian ground forces began arriving in Syria: soldiers and officers specifically to participate in this battle. They are not advisers ... we mean hundreds with equipment and weapons. They will be followed by more," one of the sources said. So far, direct Iranian military support for Assad has come mostly in the form of military advisers. Iran has also mobilized Shi'ite militia fighters, including Iraqis and some Afghans, to fight alongside Syrian government forces. Moscow said it had hit Islamic State positions, but the areas it struck near the cities of Hama and Homs are mostly held by a rival insurgent alliance, which unlike Islamic State is supported by U.S. allies including Arab states and Turkey. Hassan Haj Ali, head of the Liwa Suqour al-Jabal rebel group which is part of the Free Syrian Army, told Reuters one of the targets was his group's base in Idlib province, struck by around 20 missiles in two separate raids. His fighters had been trained by the CIA in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, part of a program Washington says is aimed at supporting groups that oppose both Islamic State and Assad.[/QUOTE] [url]http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN0RV41O20151001[/url] [QUOTE]New York, New York (CNN)If Vladimir Putin wants to launch airstrikes inside Syria, that's no problem for Donald Trump, who said Wednesday that he believes Russia's military moves in Syria are targeting ISIS and that the United States shouldn't interfere. "They don't respect our president. They really don't respect us anymore. And that's why they're doing this," Trump told CNN's Don Lemon in a wide-ranging interview at Trump Tower Wednesday. "At the same time, if they want to hit ISIS, that's OK with me."[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/30/politics/donald-trump-syria-don-lemon/[/url]
trumps an idiot to think that letting russia expand its presence in the middle east won't become a huge thorn in our ass in the long run
[QUOTE=Sableye;48803703]trumps an idiot to think that letting russia expand its presence in the middle east won't become a huge thorn in our ass in the long run[/QUOTE] And the current state of affairs on giving training and equipment to rebels isn't?
The Iranians getting involved is gonna go down like a shit sandwich in other parts of the middle east.
[QUOTE=Radley;48803853]And the current state of affairs on giving training and equipment to rebels isn't?[/QUOTE] ya i'm not saying what we're doing with training rebels is a good idea either, but the warhawks in congress demanded [I]something[/I]
I agree with Putin's outlook on this whole thing to be honest, sorry if that's controversial
[QUOTE=Sableye;48803703]trumps an idiot to think that letting russia expand its presence in the middle east won't become a huge thorn in our ass in the long run[/QUOTE] On the other hand, it would be funny if Russia finally gained hegemony over the region just as oil goes out of use and dries up everywhere. Nothing but an angry populace, sand, and heat stroke to ally to afterward.
Putin's done the drugs and sex thing, he even had a toy dog, he's moving into the next phase.
I feel really fucking sorry for the Syrian people. What a clusterfuck of death and violence
[QUOTE=Sableye;48803703]trumps an idiot to think that letting russia expand its presence in the middle east won't become a huge thorn in our ass in the long run[/QUOTE] After the billions in debt and lives lost with us going in, I say let them try if they want. Either side we help will do exactly like happens every time we side with one party or the other in the middle east. I'd say stay out of it but if Russia wants a swing at it let them try.
[QUOTE=Faunze;48805154]I feel really fucking sorry for the Syrian people. What a clusterfuck of death and violence[/QUOTE] At this point im suprised theres even a country left for them to fight over considering just how much of its been destroyed in the civil war alone.
[QUOTE=archival;48805512]At this point im suprised theres even a country left for them to fight over considering just how much of its been destroyed in the civil war alone.[/QUOTE] Im half expecting syria to basically be this after the war: [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/2i1gt8y.jpg[/IMG]
Did anyone actually expect them to play nice with us? After ISIS and friends is wiped out (assuming they even succeed)that just leaves the western backed rebels with a huge power vacuum to fill and it could suddenly be a proxy war for control of Syria.
You honestly believe Russia is targeting ISIS? They're just helping that asshole Assad stay in power
[QUOTE=Ghost656;48816798]You honestly believe Russia is targeting ISIS? They're just helping that asshole Assad stay in power[/QUOTE] Russia and China have every interest to target the Islamists. Up until relatively recently, the US, Israel, and the gulf monarchies had every interest in their existence and success to some extent.
[QUOTE=karlosfandango;48803956]The Iranians getting involved is gonna go down like a shit sandwich in other parts of the middle east.[/QUOTE] I don't think so. Russia and Iran have long been allies with Syria. That's their proxy in the Middle East. If Russia and Iran either support Assad or install a new dictator it's still the same situation- Syria is their ally. What would be new is if Syria was to be ruled by someone friendly to the West. That's what Russia and Iran are desperate to prevent. It looks like Russia is supplying the air power and Iran's contribution will be the boots on the ground. What could be interesting is to see how well they coordinate with each other. How long till Russia accidentally bombs Iranian troops or until Iranian troops shoot down a Russian plane?
Afghanistan 2.0? (well 3.0 if you count our attempt at it.)
[QUOTE=Radley;48803853]And the current state of affairs on giving training and equipment to rebels isn't?[/QUOTE] Not to nearly the same degree. Between the two, I'd rather see externally-backed rebels in power than Assad any day.
[QUOTE=catbarf;48817355]Not to nearly the same degree. Between the two, I'd rather see externally-backed rebels in power than Assad any day.[/QUOTE] Won't happen. External-backed rebels (unless we're talking about Saudi-backed rebels, bet you wouldn't want [b]those[/b] in power) are very few in numbers compared to other parties. There's no way they're going to claim power.
[QUOTE=catbarf;48817355]Not to nearly the same degree. Between the two, I'd rather see externally-backed rebels in power than Assad any day.[/QUOTE] I'd rather take a stable Syria with Assad over the mess it currently is, thanks to the US of course.
[QUOTE=jonoPorter;48817795]I'd rather take a stable Syria with Assad over the mess it currently is, thanks to the US of course.[/QUOTE] Assad started the civil war by killing groups of protesters, how does the us or anyone else have anything to do with it?
[QUOTE=Ghost656;48816798]You honestly believe Russia is targeting ISIS? They're just helping that asshole Assad stay in power[/QUOTE] By now you should've noticed that when you take away an asshole from the middle-east, they'll just get replaced by an even bigger asshole. [editline]3rd October 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=catbarf;48817355]Not to nearly the same degree. Between the two, I'd rather see externally-backed rebels in power than Assad any day.[/QUOTE] And spawn another ISIS? I'm sure the Syrian civilians would be so grateful.
[QUOTE=JohnFisher89;48805398]After the billions in debt and lives lost with us going in, I say let them try if they want. Either side we help will do exactly like happens every time we side with one party or the other in the middle east. I'd say stay out of it but if Russia wants a swing at it let them try.[/QUOTE] we "ignored" cuba for 15 years and suddenly there was a communist dictator, a pile of nukes, and several ICBMs on their way we ignored china, and now they're destabilizing the entire south pacific over theoretical gas deposits when the US backs away, someone else rises [editline]3rd October 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Zenreon117;48806777]Im half expecting syria to basically be this after the war: [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/2i1gt8y.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] too nice, it'll look more like this [t]http://www.madmaxmovies.com/mad-max-beyond-thunderdome/filming-locations/bartertown-sydney-brick-pit/david-seymour/Bartertown1.jpg[/t]
[QUOTE=Ghost656;48816798]You honestly believe Russia is targeting ISIS? They're just helping that asshole Assad stay in power[/QUOTE] yes, yes i do. Russia has far more relative concern about ISIS activity than any number of americans do. Russia has had plenty of experience fighting islamist terrorism close to their doorstep. Whether they want to keep Assad in power (this is hardly a dirty secret, they openly state it, and for what its worth - is probably the best idea rather than having iraq boogaloo 2.0 all over again) is irrelevant. Russia has ISIS affiliates, quite literally next door to them. Have you heard of the Caucasus emirate? Not to mention Russia is somewhat reliant on economic interests in the middle east/central Asia.
Stable Syria lmfao. Syria is done for good. Just look at Homs, nobody has the patience to rebuild that shit. It's depressing as fuck.
[QUOTE=Sableye;48818491]we "ignored" cuba for 15 years and suddenly there was a communist dictator, a pile of nukes, and several ICBMs on their way we ignored china, and now they're destabilizing the entire south pacific over theoretical gas deposits when the US backs away, someone else rises [editline]3rd October 2015[/editline] too nice, it'll look more like this [t]http://www.madmaxmovies.com/mad-max-beyond-thunderdome/filming-locations/bartertown-sydney-brick-pit/david-seymour/Bartertown1.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] You guys have it all wrong [IMG]http://static01.nyt.com/images/2012/07/28/world/28syria-span/28syria-span-articleLarge.jpg[/IMG]
[QUOTE=Sableye;48818491]we "ignored" cuba for 15 years and suddenly there was a communist dictator, a pile of nukes, and several ICBMs on their way we ignored china, and now they're destabilizing the entire south pacific over theoretical gas deposits when the US backs away, someone else rises [/QUOTE] The US backed a Cuban dictator that brutalized the people and let the mafia run rampant. The US than tried to topple the liberators who had brought an end to that tyranny. Castro of course jumped to the USSR for support. The US should probably make siding with them represent liberty and democracy instead of oppression and corporate interest. Hell, only reason that S.Korea and the Philippines are democratic is because of the fact that the people went against their US backed dictators. [editline]3rd October 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=0x0000000C;48818552]Stable Syria lmfao. Syria is done for good. Just look at Homs, nobody has the patience to rebuild that shit. It's depressing as fuck.[/QUOTE] Its gonna take a strongman like Assad to bring stability.
[QUOTE=catbarf;48817355]Not to nearly the same degree. Between the two, I'd rather see externally-backed rebels in power than Assad any day.[/QUOTE] Because externally backed rebels winning the civil war in Libya resulted in such a fine country today right? Both Assad and Gaddafi are/were dickheads but the condition of the countries after the civil wars are going to be way worse than they were before the civil wars [editline]4th October 2015[/editline] I mean fuck Libya was perfectly fine to live in in terms of living conditions before the civil war and now look at whats happening there. [url]http://www.globalresearch.ca/destroying-a-country-s-standard-of-living-what-libya-had-achieved-what-has-been-destroyed/26686[/url] [url]https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2015/country-chapters/libya[/url] [url]http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/02/libya-anniversary-situation-terrible-150216082028555.html[/url]
That headline is the most tabloid-tastic thing I've ever read.
[QUOTE=Rangergxi;48821432] Its gonna take a strongman like Assad to bring stability.[/QUOTE] I really hope people who say things like this never once used that Ben Franklin quote the internet is so fond of.
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