Most readers should be aware of recent events in Syria—the missile attacks on US occupation bases by forces with access to Iranian weapons systems. While initial reports were that US casualties were somewhat limited. More recent reports are that at least 23 contractors/soldiers suffered “traumatic brain injuries”. Again, initially, the US response was to launch airstrikes against various targets. But then the dynamics seem to shift, as the NYT reported on 3/27:
Larry Johnson at sonar21.com has an interesting new post. The planning of the Ukraine invasion from a Russian point of view. BTW , thanks Mark for all you do. I read your post and comments daily. It gives me hope.
Thanks--and for the heads up, too! I've only started reading it, but I agree so far. There's a school of Russian thought that claims Putin screwed up (Simplicius tends that way at times), but I don't buy it--for the reasons the author offers. The massive fortifications that Russian intel would have been fully cognizant of. These fortifications weren't haphazard. They were the best that NATO planning could come up with, and NATO would, likewise, have had a pretty good idea of what Russia might be able to throw at such fortifications.
300 million guns? 300 Billion rounds of ammo? What about put 100,000 FBI or Capitol police or ;woke' soldiers patrolling to keep us 'proles' in our place?
I recall Luongo arguing that our presence in Syria served two purposes: (1) construction of a pipeline from Saudi Arabia to Europe to undermine Nordstream II (explains KSA and Turkiye involvement) and (2) construction of a military base in a new Kurdistan to improve encirclement of Iran.
This makes good sense of the MIC and Deep State reaction.
It's a VERY strange relationship between the US and ISIS/Al Queda.
This is my understanding, which is a bit sketchy... Basically everyone hates each other, and it's very tribal. And the US Elite Leadership has no Clue.
The US is still supporting the ouster of Assad.
The US has been supporting forces that want to oust Assad. Originally this was done with supplies from Libya laundered through Turkey (remember Benghazi).
Our "friends" in Turkey, and the Gulf States, MADE SURE, that only the only anti Assad Forces getting supplies / support, were more Islamic Forces, that just happened to be associated with Isis and Al Queda. Al Queda has a lot of people that were in the Muslim Brotherhood. Lots of opposition to Assad has Muslim Brotherhood connections. And the Muslim Brotherhood now has influence in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Yet, the US is at war - or is a police action? - with Isis / Al Queda.
Basically Syria has somehow mended fences with the Arab World, whille Assad kept power due to support of Iran and Russia. Assad is kinda Shia. And Sunni's and Shia's have religious issues. So lots of Sunni's have been thrown out of Syria, leaving to Lebanon and Turkey, which don't want them.
And then the Kurdish Forces used to have great relations with the USSR, and were being supported against the Turks. So a bit of communism with the Turkish Forces. And Turkey has been fighting a war against the Kurds. And the Arabs hate the Kurds, and do not want an independent Kurdistan. Last I read, Turkey still controls parts of Syria, but is trying to leave. This leaves a bunch of Sunni Refugees, with Isis and Al Queda mixed in, that the Turks have been using as a para mililtary in Libya, and in Northern Syria. This minimizes Turkish Casualties.
Obama Administration thought that supporting the Muslim Brotherhood through color revolutions (Egypt was another) would help fix the Middle East. Note Clinton’s chief of staff Huma Abedin’s parents were Muslim Brotherhood.
Assad was on the ropes due to being supported by a small proportion of the population. Iran and Russia intervened, and kept him in power.
Russia gained a lot of credibility by showing they don’t abandon allies, at a minimum cost.
Larry Johnson at sonar21.com has an interesting new post. The planning of the Ukraine invasion from a Russian point of view. BTW , thanks Mark for all you do. I read your post and comments daily. It gives me hope.
Thanks - interesting read that answers the question why the focus on Bakhmut.
Thanks--and for the heads up, too! I've only started reading it, but I agree so far. There's a school of Russian thought that claims Putin screwed up (Simplicius tends that way at times), but I don't buy it--for the reasons the author offers. The massive fortifications that Russian intel would have been fully cognizant of. These fortifications weren't haphazard. They were the best that NATO planning could come up with, and NATO would, likewise, have had a pretty good idea of what Russia might be able to throw at such fortifications.
300 million guns? 300 Billion rounds of ammo? What about put 100,000 FBI or Capitol police or ;woke' soldiers patrolling to keep us 'proles' in our place?
You should follow Aaron Mate’. He’s all over the chemical weapons false flag operation. Recently presented findings at the UN.
Oooh that smell!!
The smell of death surrounds you. Yeah, you!
I recall Luongo arguing that our presence in Syria served two purposes: (1) construction of a pipeline from Saudi Arabia to Europe to undermine Nordstream II (explains KSA and Turkiye involvement) and (2) construction of a military base in a new Kurdistan to improve encirclement of Iran.
This makes good sense of the MIC and Deep State reaction.
My guess on what’s driving U.S. troops in Syria:
1. “Because they can”
2. Revenge/Anger over failing to oust Assad.
3. Because Trump wanted to withdraw us troops
4. Fear if the us withdraws troops from Syria, it will cause a domino of other U.S. withdrawals.
5. Useful pr tool for us military showing they are fighting Isis.
But I thought it was shown that we were actually allied with ISIS (and al Qaeda). If not allied, then pulling in the same direction.
Hmm..
From DC Draino:
“Quick summary of court filing:
CIA & Saudi intel recruited Islamic radicals to help spy on Osama Bin Laden
At least 2 recruits were given US Visas and were then “lost” in America
When FBI tried to investigate/charge them, CIA held them back for unknown reasons
9/11 happened“
https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/1648764893485473792?cxt=HHwWgICxpey7y-EtAAAA
Longer:
https://thegrayzone.com/2023/04/18/9-11-hijackers-cia-recruits/
What a “coincidence” stuff embarrassing to the Saudis was declassified by the Biden Administration…
It's a VERY strange relationship between the US and ISIS/Al Queda.
This is my understanding, which is a bit sketchy... Basically everyone hates each other, and it's very tribal. And the US Elite Leadership has no Clue.
The US is still supporting the ouster of Assad.
The US has been supporting forces that want to oust Assad. Originally this was done with supplies from Libya laundered through Turkey (remember Benghazi).
Our "friends" in Turkey, and the Gulf States, MADE SURE, that only the only anti Assad Forces getting supplies / support, were more Islamic Forces, that just happened to be associated with Isis and Al Queda. Al Queda has a lot of people that were in the Muslim Brotherhood. Lots of opposition to Assad has Muslim Brotherhood connections. And the Muslim Brotherhood now has influence in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Yet, the US is at war - or is a police action? - with Isis / Al Queda.
Basically Syria has somehow mended fences with the Arab World, whille Assad kept power due to support of Iran and Russia. Assad is kinda Shia. And Sunni's and Shia's have religious issues. So lots of Sunni's have been thrown out of Syria, leaving to Lebanon and Turkey, which don't want them.
And then the Kurdish Forces used to have great relations with the USSR, and were being supported against the Turks. So a bit of communism with the Turkish Forces. And Turkey has been fighting a war against the Kurds. And the Arabs hate the Kurds, and do not want an independent Kurdistan. Last I read, Turkey still controls parts of Syria, but is trying to leave. This leaves a bunch of Sunni Refugees, with Isis and Al Queda mixed in, that the Turks have been using as a para mililtary in Libya, and in Northern Syria. This minimizes Turkish Casualties.
The pipeline would be reason enough, I think.
But at the time of Trump's effort to withdraw we were still in those locations.
Obama Administration thought that supporting the Muslim Brotherhood through color revolutions (Egypt was another) would help fix the Middle East. Note Clinton’s chief of staff Huma Abedin’s parents were Muslim Brotherhood.
Assad was on the ropes due to being supported by a small proportion of the population. Iran and Russia intervened, and kept him in power.
Russia gained a lot of credibility by showing they don’t abandon allies, at a minimum cost.