Russia warns US of pending attack in Syria

[Peter1469]

Yeah I know.....my point was the offensive already began. Starts with the bombing.

I was living in a fox hole watching the bombing. From my point of view our attack into Iraq was when I stepped off past the line of departure heading towards the Iraqi border guard posts to breach the lines for the coming ground invasion.

[MMC]

Turkey's Erdogan gets no love from Russia on Idlib

A critical summit between the presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey to find common ground on Syria’s rebel-held province of Idlib descended into televised drama today, as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan aired their differences before the cameras. On paper, the leaders reiterated pledges to seek a negotiated solution to Syria’s seven-year conflict, to preserve the country’s territorial unity, to eliminate al-Qaeda-linked terrorists and to assure the safe return of millions of displaced Syrians. But a regime attack on Idlib will likely move ahead despite Turkey’s appeals for more time to use carrot-and-stick diplomacy with the jihadis.

Even as the leaders assembled in Tehran, Syrian fighter jets pounded militant targets in the province, reported the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group.

But Turkey failed to convince fellow leaders to insert wording for a cease-fire in the summit’s final communiqué. Erdogan’s efforts to reverse this played out live with the leaders and their delegations assembled around a giant white table as the press cameras continued, inexplicably, to roll. A stony-faced Erdogan said the final statement ought to have made a reference to a “cease-fire” because it would bolster the Astana process, ease a solution and mark a victory for the summit.

Putin icily retorted, “The armed militants are not present at our table, are not taking part in our talks. The Turkish president is right, generally speaking. It would be nice [if they declared a cease-fire]. But we cannot speak on their behalf and [even less so on behalf of] Jabhat al-Nusra, IS terrorists, that they will stop their attacks, that they will stop using their drones.” Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani could be seen smiling beatifically as Erdogan responded, “We would be making a call on Jabhat al-Nusra, on HTS to lay down their arms.”

Analysts agree that the summit did not go well for Erdogan: Kerim Has, a Moscow-based analyst on Russian and Eurasian affairs, told Al-Monitor that the gathering revealed that a joint offensive carried out by Russia-backed regime forces and Iran-backed pro-regime militias “is very near.” The level of mutual trust between Turkey and Russia is “very low,” relations remain “fragile” and Idlib will “present new challenges” to them. Finally, it showed that Turkey needs to be ready for a fresh wave of refugees and that the threat of terrorism is no longer confined to Syria and will be felt “on its own soil, up close and present.” More broadly, Has observed, “Disagreement over Idlib makes it unlikely that Russia and Turkey can agree on an extended presence of Turkish forces in Afrin, Jarablus and Azaz.”

Like Turkey, the United States is formally opposed to a regime assault on Idlib and Kurdish participation in it. But as Sam Heller, a senior analyst on non-state armed actors at the International Crisis Group, noted, “Despite US official rhetoric, the United States still only seems to have drawn a line at the use of chemical weapons, which — it's clear — would prompt US military action.” However, Heller added in emailed comments to Al-Monitor, “with the exception of a few stray statements, it seems not to be promising any military intervention to halt an offensive.” This suggests Turkey is increasingly isolated as it weighs its next move in Syria.

A Western official speaking on condition of anonymity said, “I don’t think the summit was ever supposed to be anything other than a stalling tactic that would distract Turkey and make it look bad.” The official added, “Putin has mastered that tactic for Syria.".....snip~



Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/orig...#ixzz5QWXOAdVO



Erdo treated like Rodney Dangerfield.....huh?

[Ransom]

What is painful about it? Syria belongs to Assad. We never should have tried to overthrow him, especially by using Jihadists and "fake" moderates."

Talk about the law of unintended consequences. Had the US stayed out neither Russia nor Iran would have felt the need to intervene.

For God's sake. Al-Qaeda, ISIS, moderates, extremists, Hezbollah, Hamas, Kurdish forces, Iran, Russia, and Turkey were all involved long before we entered the fray. Obama set his red line regarding chemical weapons, we didn't exert any real influence rather was forced to react to events that played out. You and I continued to debate through the years the need for US involvement, you opposed, I promoted.

Iran has been involved prior to Assad taking power, the Iranian/Syrian connection wasn't one created by America but rather the existence of Israel and the many 20th century wars Syria became embroiled in.

We sat idle.....while Syria unraveled. We sat idle denying interest in any outcomes of the Syrian Civil Wars...even when it became obvious that we could no longer ignore realities, when it became more than apparent one of those outcomes has transformed into an international terrorist threat.

The United States showed no leadership and wasn't the reason for Iranian and Russian, nor Turkish or Hamas, nor Hezbollah or al-Qaeda influence and activity in Syria, nor was it the US that pushed Assad to murder his own people by the hundreds of thousands.

[Peter1469]

For God's sake. Al-Qaeda, ISIS, moderates, extremists, Hezbollah, Hamas, Kurdish forces, Iran, Russia, and Turkey were all involved long before we entered the fray. Obama set his red line regarding chemical weapons, we didn't exert any real influence rather was forced to react to events that played out. You and I continued to debate through the years the need for US involvement, you opposed, I promoted.

Iran has been involved prior to Assad taking power, the Iranian/Syrian connection wasn't one created by America but rather the existence of Israel and the many 20th century wars Syria became embroiled in.

We sat idle.....while Syria unraveled. We sat idle denying interest in any outcomes of the Syrian Civil Wars...even when it became obvious that we could no longer ignore realities, when it became more than apparent one of those outcomes has transformed into an international terrorist threat.

The United States showed no leadership and wasn't the reason for Iranian and Russian, nor Turkish or Hamas, nor Hezbollah or al-Qaeda influence and activity in Syria, nor was it the US that pushed Assad to murder his own people by the hundreds of thousands.

You are a failed arch neocon.

Leave Syria be.

[Ethereal]

US politicians putting our people at risk to protect America's sworn enemies, Al Qaeda, from the sovereign government of Syria.

Some might call that treason.

But neocons just call it Tuesday.

[Mr.Soxes]

Painful living with the consequences of remining idle for so long while the Levant was overrun and Assad let Russia into the party.

Sorry but we had no business in trying to replace ASSAD!

[Ransom]

You are a failed arch neocon.

Leave Syria be.

Don't compound your errors regarding Syria, Peter, claiming that neither Russia nor Iran would have felt the need to intervene prior to US involvement shows your limitations on this topic of conversation, that's simply wrong. It's not even close. It reveals perhaps why you've made so may colossal mistakes here, why you've had to be chastised then corrected.

[donttread]

We let the Russians know when the situation is in reverse (except the mercenaries we killed).

Right, I mean except those we killed because there were so many factions we couldn't or wouldn't keep track. But I'm agreeing. If they are going to do the job for us just get out of the way. No glory though so we may not do that.

[Ransom]

US politicians putting our people at risk to protect America's sworn enemies, Al Qaeda, from the sovereign government of Syria.

Some might call that treason.

But neocons just call it Tuesday.

Who was protecting our sworn enemies, al-Qaeda?

The Obama Administration while his Realists continue to be pots calling the kettles black. Obama set false red lines......and as taught and shown you many times, Ethereal, the US was of sideshow irrelevance in Syria while ISIS thrived and then ran over the Levant.

Thus making our involvement inevitable and necessary...as was explained to you. This isn't your first lesson, you're going to need to admit error and take responsibility at some point. Yes?

[Ransom]

I am often stunned by the absolute wing it statements thrown out here especially by those Observers who make far reaching claims of knowledge and personal experience but then bone these analyses time and time again.

US politicians put our people at risk? Do such claims of knowledge and personal experience understand....much of the US backing and funding goes to Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces The Neocons.....are making deals that encourage the US-backed, mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces to work with Assad in negotiating a peace settlement and thus the removal of the US troops. The very ones I taught you and Peter were so necessary and inevitable. The very troops that saw their jobs expotentially get more difficult as so much of our "knowledge and experience" here sat idle pontificating and asking themselves questions.

Now. Who is the constituent that so often and outright calls for Kurdish Democratic Forces to be supported by the US?

You have to know what you're talking about when you make accusation and what not. You must be accurate, you cannot talk out of both sides of your mouth and be taken seriously.

Ethereal.