This is a series of events over the last few days that hasn’t received much coverage in the MSM. It stems from a Kurdish terror bombing in Istanbul. Turkey retaliated against Kurdish forces in Iraq and Syria: Turkey attacks Kurdish targets in Syria and Iraq after Istanbul street bombing
It was predicted months ago--I can't recall where/who/what-- that the U.S. would be pushed out of Syria as the balance of power changed. It comes as no real surprise given the limited/shrinking resources available to prosecute actions in UA, Africa, and countless other locales where The Hegemon seeks to impose it's will. With PRC next up (in 2025?), difficulties in MIL recruiting and a sea-change in prioritizing where treasure is to be allocated, the zenith of projected American power is in the rearview mirror.
This article from Mike Whitney seems to fit in. And if you look at the map, Kurdistan and Turkey are important to China and the BRI. Seems like they may have a dog I. This fight and complicate things even further.
Looks interesting--as you know I've been playing up the importance of these transit corridors. But at the same time the US is being strongly pressured at these chokepoints, too. For example, India refusing to join any naval grouping in the Indian Ocean or take any action with regard to the Chinese presence there. Or, Turkey actually attacking a US controlled facility. The pressure that the US exerts on chokepoints is done largely via the navy, and those navy groups are structured around aircraft carriers, which are highly vulnerable to hypersonic missiles.
The image that comes to mind regarding the US role is the Wicked Witch of the West and her flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz. These transit corridors are so liberating and heartening; it's the human spirit of enterprise at its best.
Of course it also means that nobody will trust him. It's reported that Putin and Iran saved his ass during the CIA led coup attempt, but he still double crosses them when it suits him. That sort of stuff tends to catch up with you, but so far he's led a charmed existence.
Thanks, Jeff. I actually wrote "Ankara" as I remembered it. Then looked for an article to provide a bit more background than the tweets and changed it to "Istanbul"--having picked the top article off the search results and omitted to look at the date. I was puzzled because I thought I remembered "Ankara" correctly. I was in a bit of a hurry to get out on my walk.
It was predicted months ago--I can't recall where/who/what-- that the U.S. would be pushed out of Syria as the balance of power changed. It comes as no real surprise given the limited/shrinking resources available to prosecute actions in UA, Africa, and countless other locales where The Hegemon seeks to impose it's will. With PRC next up (in 2025?), difficulties in MIL recruiting and a sea-change in prioritizing where treasure is to be allocated, the zenith of projected American power is in the rearview mirror.
That's right.
This article from Mike Whitney seems to fit in. And if you look at the map, Kurdistan and Turkey are important to China and the BRI. Seems like they may have a dog I. This fight and complicate things even further.
https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/war-fever-why-china-should-prepare-for-the-worst/
Looks interesting--as you know I've been playing up the importance of these transit corridors. But at the same time the US is being strongly pressured at these chokepoints, too. For example, India refusing to join any naval grouping in the Indian Ocean or take any action with regard to the Chinese presence there. Or, Turkey actually attacking a US controlled facility. The pressure that the US exerts on chokepoints is done largely via the navy, and those navy groups are structured around aircraft carriers, which are highly vulnerable to hypersonic missiles.
Pepe Escobar wrote about the Armenian connection to it this past May. https://new.thecradle.co/articles/the-inside-story-of-russia-iran-india-connectivity
The image that comes to mind regarding the US role is the Wicked Witch of the West and her flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz. These transit corridors are so liberating and heartening; it's the human spirit of enterprise at its best.
I’m astonished at the growth in train traffic.
Maybe Erdogan needs to decide which side he's on.
He’s on his own side.
Yes, but the problem is that he vastly over-estimates his own powers of statesmanship
Or, perhaps, Turkey's side.
Continued evidence of Erdogan playing both sides of the fence. It's his method to ensure he's "important".
Of course it also means that nobody will trust him. It's reported that Putin and Iran saved his ass during the CIA led coup attempt, but he still double crosses them when it suits him. That sort of stuff tends to catch up with you, but so far he's led a charmed existence.
I looked at my search string and it actually included "ankara", but the first story that popped up was an old story that said "istanbul".
One thing: The recent bombing was in Ankara, not Istanbul. The Istanbul bombing was last year, and so is the article you linked to.
Thanks, Jeff. I actually wrote "Ankara" as I remembered it. Then looked for an article to provide a bit more background than the tweets and changed it to "Istanbul"--having picked the top article off the search results and omitted to look at the date. I was puzzled because I thought I remembered "Ankara" correctly. I was in a bit of a hurry to get out on my walk.