War without end: Syrian slaughter continues as US and Russia contend

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/2015/10/war-without-end-syrian-slaughter-continues-as-us-and-russia-contend/



War without end: Syrian slaughter continues as US and Russia contend
By Salman Rafi on October 23, 2015

The Middle East is increasingly morphing into a region where the US and Russia are reliving Cold War-era geopolitical battles.

When Russia began its military campaign in Syria against the Islamists, it was hoped that they would help bring a quick end to the conflict. However, this has proved more hope than reality. This is due not only to the complex nature of the on-going war in Syria, but also because of the mutually conflicting positions of the US and Russia and the “support” the US continues to provide so-called “liberation” and “democratic” forces inside Syria.

While Russia has been quite explicit about its aims in targeting all terrorist forces, regardless of their “moderate” or “un-moderate” positions, the US has been equally explicit in criticizing the damage Russia’s military campaign is inflicting on the so-called “moderates.”

Until a few days ago, President Obama had confined himself to only verbally criticizing the Russian military engagement in Syria. However, his words recently shifted to concrete action in the form of a US airdrop of 50 tons of arms and ammunition to “moderate” forces in Syria.

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Don't you just love proxy wars?

[CJCRANE]

1. It's kind of strange how we're on the side of the islamists. nt

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7. We are on the side of covering our butts mostly.

Although Kerry is doing yeoman work.

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8. I'm thankful that our staunch ally in the region is helping us spread democracy

based on sharia law.

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9. Expediency rules the day, and every day it seems.

Which has much to do with this debacle. What is expedient for corrupt politicians is rarely expedient for the nations they lead.

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2. Assad promises elections for Syria crisis once insurgency is 'eradicated'

President Assad has told a visiting Russian delegation that eradicating "terrorist" groups could bring about a solution in Syria. Russian lawmakers said he was willing to hold elections once all insurgents were defeated.

According to Syrian state media reports, Assad told the visiting Russian delegation that Moscow's entry into the conflict was "the writing of a new history" which would determine the future of the region and the world. Assad said that eradicating insurgency groups would lead to a satisfactory solution in the crisis.

"The eradication of terrorist organizations will lead to the political solution that Syria and Russia seek, and which will please the Syrian people and preserve Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," state news agency SANA quoted Assad as saying.

Assad also expressed his "appreciation for the Russian position in support of the Syrian people, expressed most recently with the Russian air force's support of the Syrian army in its war against terrorism," SANA quoted.

http://www.dw.com/en/assad-promises-elections-for-syria-crisis-once-insurgency-is-eradicated/a-18804510

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3. Baghdad Allows Russia to Bomb ISIL Terrorists Running From Syria Into Iraq

As Russian airstrikes push ISIL terrorists from Syria into Iraq, Moscow and Baghdad agreed to hit the militants in Iraq, said Hakem al-Zameli, the head of the Iraqi Parliament’s National Security and Defense Commission, according to Fars News Agency.

ISIL militants aren't going to find a safe haven from Russian airstrikes in Iraq after the country's parliament gave Russia the green light to conduct airstrikes against ISIL targets in Iraq.

"Iraq agreed with Russia, which leads the joint data center, to hit the ISIL militants heading from Syria into Iraq," al-Zameli said, highlighting the fact that the move would also cut off ISIL supply routes from Iraq into Syria, as cited by Fars.

The approval comes amid security coordination between the governments of Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria — all of which seek to destroy ISIL. The four nations launched the Baghdad Information Center

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151025/1029079639/iraq-allows-russian-airstrikes-isil.html

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4. US, Saudis urge international push on Syria

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — US Secretary of State John Kerry and King Salman of Saudi Arabia on Saturday called for greater international efforts to restore stability to Syria without President Bashar Assad at its helm.

The two countries backed the aim of a “unified, pluralistic and stable country for all Syrians,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

“Both sides noted the importance of mobilizing the international community to support this goal and reiterated the need for a transition away from Assad. They pledged to continue and intensify support to the moderate Syrian opposition while the political track is being pursued.”

Kerry flew in to Riyadh from Amman where he held separate talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Palestinian-Israeli unrest.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-saudis-urge-international-push-on-syria/

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10. Saudis see some progress toward political solution in Syria

CAIRO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Sunday after talks with his counterpart in Cairo that wider international talks to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria had yielded some progress although further consultations were needed.

Differences seem to be increasing between Saudi Arabia's position on Syria and that of Egypt, a close ally. Unlike Saudi Arabia, which backs some Syrian rebel groups, Egypt has welcomed Russian air strikes in Syria against insurgents.

Moscow says Syrian president Bashar al-Assad must be part of any political transition and that the Syrian people will decide who rules them.

Washington has said it could tolerate Assad during a short transition period, but that he would then have to then exit the political stage.

http://www.trust.org/item/20151025154913-a973r/

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5. Erdogan lashes out at Russia, US over Syria policies

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has continued his criticisms of both Russia and the United States over their respective policies in Syria, warning the prolongation of the problem in the Arab republic would create more problems for the rest of the world.

Erdoğan strongly reacted to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hosting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Moscow while criticizing Washington for its continued military and political support fır Syria’s Democratic Union Party (PYD), which Ankara has claimed is a terrorist organization.

“Can you imagine? [Does] receiving a person responsible for the death of 370,000 people on a red carpet have a place in international diplomacy? Unfortunately, humanity witnessed this,” Erdoğan said in an address at Hasan Kalyoncu University in the southeastern province of Gaziantep on Oct. 24.

Erdoğan’s government has previously been the target of international criticism for welcoming Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, despite the latter being the subject of an international arrest warrant over the genocide in Darfur.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-lashes-out-at-russia-us-over-syria-policies.aspx?pageID=238&nID=90308&NewsCatID=338

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6. . nt

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11. US, Russian jets team up for first time to destroy ISIS oil field, pipelines in Syria

For the first time, the United States and Russia conducted combined airstrikes on an Islamic State-controlled oil field in Raqqa in eastern Syria, a major part of a half a billion dollar crude industry sustaining the jihadist group, the Sunday Express reported.

US operations officer Major Michael Filanowski confirmed the destruction of the ISIS-controlled oil field to reporters in Iraq on Sunday.

"There were strikes last night that struck Daesh-controlled oil refineries, command and control centres and transportation nodes. There were 26 targets and all 26 were struck. That will impact their strategic ability to generate money," Filanowski was quoted as saying in an Al Arabiya report.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the destruction of the oil field, pipelines and storage facilities.

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/us.russian.jets.team.up.for.first.time.to.destroy.isis.oil.field.pipelines.in.syria/68628.htm

[KoKo]

14. ..! Good News.

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15. Consider the source.

There is a lot of worry in Xtian communities about the treatment of their co-religionists in the Middle East. Franklin Graham thinks Putin is swell. I think the level of cooperation is overstated there. More like the deconfliction is working out so we can both bomb what we like.

[KoKo]

19. I did note the "Source" yet it was based on info from Syrian Human Rights Group...

so thought it might have some truth..

We just have to read from many different sources these days to try to discern the "Truth in the Middle"...so this is just one piece of the puzzle.

It's good we have differing sources here in the "FA" Group. Wouldn't it be great if more would seek differing viewpoints. But, then...few have time or access.

BTW: I did like this speech at the Valdai Conference. Thought it worth the view.

I know...I do have a weak spot for good speeches......and, not just from "Vlad."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=135182

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21. Good, I wanted to be sure you got that.

I think we are definitely in cahoots with Russia at this point in bombing the shit out of ISIS.
Pure pragmatism.

That's Obama's best point after caution. (When the Hell did caution become "failure to lead"? Leading when you don't know where you are going is for lemmings. Dead lemmings.)

Vlad gives good speech, like Obama. I think maybe he studies Obama. Obama has this professorial tone and delivery, and he just keeps explaining very reasonably over and over that you are wrong until you get it.

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12. Russia plans to call for Syrian dialogue: sources

DAMASCUS, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia is reportedly planning to call for dialogue in Syria and forming a government that will be a prelude for parliamentarian and presidential elections, the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen said Sunday, citing what it called "well-informed sources."

The report said "Moscow will call for a dialogue in Syria and the parties of the dialogue will form a government, which will later form committees that will prepare for parliamentarian elections within 18 months."

"After the parliamentarian elections, presidential elections will be organized and will be opened to whoever wants to run for presidency," the report added.

Moreover, the report said Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently met with his Syria counterpart al-Assad in Moscow, has "presented full guarantees that the presidency status in Syria will be untouched until the date of the presidential elections," meaning that all talks of the Syrian opposition and their Western backers about the departure of Assad as a prelude to the political process are meaningless.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-10/25/c_134748339.htm

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13. Canada's new PM is right: Bombs won't beat ISIS

(CNN)The day after Monday's Canadian federal election, Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister designate, received a congratulatory call from U.S. President Barack Obama. During their conversation, Trudeau told Obama that he was going to keep his promise to the Canadian electorate to end the bombing mission against ISIS in Iraq and Syria initiated by his predecessor, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, late last year.

In early October 2014, Parliament approved an initial 6-month bombing campaign that was restricted to Iraq. Both opposition parties, the Liberals and the New Democrats, voted against it, though public opinion was generally favorable.

On October 22, 2014, a lone gunman shot dead Corporal Nathan Cirillo while he was on ceremonial sentry duty, guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The gunman then ran to Parliament Hill and entered Centre Block, where he died in a dramatic shootout with police. This attack occurred two days after another man ran down two military officers with his car in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, killing Warrant officer Patrice Vincent. Both attackers turned out to be self-radicalized Muslim converts with troubled pasts and a history of mental illness.

In the wake of these two "lone wolf" attacks, the Harper government trumpeted the threat of homegrown terrorism, arguing that Canada was directly threatened by the radical ideology of ISIS, which calls itself the Islamic State.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/23/opinions/canada-isis-trudeau/index.html

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16. Putin Is Angling for a Quick Exit From Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin is pivoting to diplomacy on Syria to capitalize on the perception of Russia's military success after four weeks of air strikes. He is in a rush to switch gears before the Syrian army's offensive stalls and Russia's key ally is exposed as a spent force.

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Putin's diplomatic plan, borrowing heavily from his Chechen template, centers on the need to split the anti-Assad opposition and co-opt those of its elements who would agree to hold the transition talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad and stop fighting the regime, while turning their arms against the Islamic State.

During Assad's clandestine visit to Moscow last week, he was told to agree to share power and Russia's military support with those moderate opposition groups that Russia would be able to incite and co-opt into a "counter-terrorist coalition" to fight the Islamic State. Those opposition groups who did not join the "coalition" would be labeled Islamic State and bombed into dust.

It's a cynically clever plan to create a new reality in Syria by turning its civil war into a counter-terrorist operation. Moscow, however, needs assistance from the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, who back moderate opposition groups, to bring at least some of them to the negotiating table with Assad, while cutting off military support to those who refuse. The task is all the more difficult since Russia now bombs all those groups.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/putin-is-angling-for-a-quick-exit-from-syria/540318.html

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17. Russian ballet in Syria

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has won the first round in the high stakes game he is playing by his military intervention in the Syrian conflict, because he has assured himself a place at the high table in any solution to the protracted civil war now in its fifth year. There is no shortage of American sceptics, who suggest that his position is untenable, given Western sanctions against Moscow and the falling oil price. But the future of the war-torn country is up for grabs and Russia will in future be counted in an eventual settlement.

Among the scenarios being presented by experts is Syria’s balkanisation, with Russia acquiring President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite stronghold surrounding the air base near Latakia and the Mediterranean naval base, and the rest of the country being contested by the anti-Assad forces supported by the West and the Islamic State and its Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant variants. This is an eventuality much of the West and Arab regional powers would like to avoid, because it would sharpen the Shia-Sunni divide.

The United States has grudgingly conceded a role for Iran in a political settlement, but is staring at the prospect of an arc of Shia power stretching from Iran through Iraq, a slice of Syria, the Houthi stronghold in Yemen and the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon backed by Moscow. Iran has substantial forces in Syria assisting the Assad regime with fighters, guidance and money. Now, with Russia primarily bombing anti-Assad forces, the virtuous circle is complete.

There are so many wheels within wheels that the timing of an ultimate political settlement is an open question. The Kurds are very much part of a future framework. They (of the Syrian and Kurdish varieties) are the best fighting force on the ground Americans have although the Turkish Kurds (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) are fighting government forces after a truce virtually ended. After the American failure in training anti-Assad forces, they are now dropping arms for anti-Assad troops. Turkey has been keen to carve out a no-fly zone inside Syria to resettle Syrian refugees — it is hosting about two million of them — but the new Russian intervention makes it unlikely to fructify.---

http://www.asianage.com/columnists/russian-ballet-syria-914

[KoKo]

20. An interesting read....

From the end of the article:

The ball on Syria is now in the Western court. Between the United States, the EU and the major regional players, the wise men and women must decide how to meet the Russian challenge buttressed by the Shia power equation. Europe sits on edge in the face of the refugee influx and the killing fields of Syria are being irrigated by more blood being shed.

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22. Yes, and the Moscow Times piece.

Moscow Times is generally critical of Putin, adversarial, so that faint praise was telling, and they are likely right about what Putin wants.

In the circumstances I think wiping ISIS out by Winter is unlikely, unless ISIS tries to stand up and fight.

I like non-Western sources for that outside-the-box point of view.

The last was just funny. Al Sisi isn't about to piss off Putin, and al Jubeir doesn't dare cut him off while he is neck deep in Yemen and al Sisi is helping out with the war effort.

[KoKo]

23. This from the "Moscow Times" article....

Don't see how a Sunni would work as Prime Minister. That would mean an alliance with Saudi Arabia, etc. and all the problems that would bring. And, a departure from Assad's general protection of the different religious factions in Syria including the Christians. ?????

The presidential elections are a cover for transitioning Assad out. Putin would personally guarantee that Assad would not run, but someone from his family or clan might. The parliamentary elections would usher in the constitutional reform and elect a powerful prime minister with full executive powers.The prime minister would be a Sunni.

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25. Speculation is fun.

Last edited Mon Oct 26, 2015, 03:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Civil wars are divisive. As with Ukraine, or Iraq, or Afghanistan, it will take a long time for enmities to die out even with government that avoids incitement. We haven't really got over our own civil war yet.

On the other hand they can stop where they are any time and things will start to improve.

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18. Egyptian, Saudi foreign ministers reiterate concord over Syria and Yemen

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Egypt has backed a recent intervention by Russia, an ally of Al-Assad, in Syria, saying the move will help eradicate the spread of terrorism in the war-torn country. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, demanded Russia end its military strikes which it said have caused civilian casualties while failing to target militants.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, in Cairo for an hours-long visit, affirmed what he described as the "corresponding stances" of both countries over the matter, while saying they "haven't reached an agreement yet" and that more discussion on the issue was needed.

"We all want to preserve the country's civil and military institution ... We all seek security, stability and rebuilding [there]," he said.

Al-Jubeir was set to sit with President El-Sisi following the news conference this afternoon.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/161831/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian,-Saudi-foreign-ministers-reiterate-concor.aspx

[KoKo]

24. Power Shift?

I must have missed the news that Egypt was helping SA in Yemen but, now it makes sense from this article. So this was an interesting bit of news. And, if the "Moscow Times" article is correct and Putin wants to see a Sunni in charge of Syria then it shows a shift in power that will leave Iran by itself? What about Lebanon? What else am I missing here???? Is the ME to shift to the Saudi's Control? Is this what Russia and U.S. want? How does this benefit anyone but Saudi Arabia?

Part of your snip and a bit more:

Egypt has backed a recent intervention by Russia, an ally of Al-Assad, in Syria, saying the move will help eradicate the spread of terrorism in the war-torn country. Saudi Arabia, however, demanded Russia end its military strikes which it said have caused civilian casualties and failed to target militants.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, in Cairo for an hours-long visit, affirmed what he described as the "congruent stances" of both countries over the matter, while saying they "haven't reached an agreement yet" and that more discussion on the issue was needed.

"We all want to preserve the country's civil and military institution ... We all seek security, stability and rebuilding [there]," he said.

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Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, has emerged as a key backer of Egypt's President El-Sisi and his government following the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, providing Cairo with billions of dollars in aid.

Both Egypt and Saudi are cooperating militarily in Yemen through a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states that has been pounding Shia Houthi rebels there from the air for six months.

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26. The Sauds appear to be pulling mercenaries from all over.

Last edited Mon Oct 26, 2015, 01:59 PM - Edit history (1)

I dunno how much of it is true, but there were a few thouseand Somalis that seem well attested, and the Egyptians are there, but al Sisi doesn't want to talk about it.

Edit: and there were a couple stories about Colombian mercs heading for Yemen too, but I took them with a grain of salt.