On Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at 10:26:41 PM UTC-4, Ignoramus28593 wrote:

On 2015-10-06, F George McDuffee wrote:
On Mon, 5 Oct 2015 21:24:17 -0600, cavelamb



- hide quoted text -

wrote:

Hi George,

As I think I understand it, the Russians are attacking any and all who
oppose Assad.

Including OUR puppet rebels led by Salim Idriss.

You have anything on that?


Richard



On 10/4/2015 6:10 AM, F. George McDuffee wrote:
Special for Ig from the motherland...
https://www.rt.com/news/317505-air-f...rorists-raqqa/

Apparently the Russians have flown more sorties in 3 days,
and inflicted more damage to ISIS/FSA than everybody else
combined since the insurrection started. Apparently no air
action yet by the PRC, although they now have a carrier and
guided missile frigate at the Russian naval base in Syria.

The Russians also seem to be able to avoid the hospitals.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/death-toll...6.html#p4dor9k

======================
Almost nothing of substance in the US media.

Russia/USSR has long had a warm water [Mediterranean] port
and naval station in Syria
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartus, which they wish to
retain, much as they wanted to retain Sevastopol
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europ...aine-s-borders
in the Crimea [Black Sea], and has common borders with the
Mid-East/Islamic nations, e. g. Iran and Checenya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheche...ssian_conflict.

IMNSHO Russia recognizes that anarchy and failed states on
her southern borders are highly dangerous, unlike another
major power, and is taking steps to secure a buffer zone of
friendly, or at least strictly neutral states [Iran was
occupied by the USSR and the UK in WW2] with common
interests. It is in the long-term interests of Iran, PRC,
and Russia for revolt in Syria to be resolved, and a secular
authoritarian [not totalitarian] Syrian state to be
[re]created.

Indeed, most people would say, at this point, such a stable
state is in the long-term best self interests of the
majority of Syrians, many of whom are being driven from
their homes/country, while the war lords attempt to displace
a functioning, albeit despotic/dynastic/corrupt government
loosely based on Ba'athist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba'athism ideology which is
strongly nationalistic and pan-arab, and thus anathema to
the international oil companies.

Another factor is the rapprochement between Russia and the
PRC, which have apparently determined that they have far
more to gain by cooperation than by direct confrontation.
For example their decision to conduct trade between them in
Yuan/Roubles, eliminating 3rd party foreign exchange
involvement, creating additional rail and pipeline links,
and re-establishing a modernized version of the "Silk Road"
trade route between Europe and Asia
http://thediplomat.com/2015/06/euras...ina-consensus/,
among many other cooperative activities.

In short, we are seeing "hard ball" realpolitik being played
between 2 professionals and an amateur using other people's
money, with the expected outcomes.



I admire your sincere attempt to think rationally about global events,
without getting swayed by any official rhetoric. I also think that
there is a kernel of truth in what you said.

However, I am sincerely puzzled by the exact purpose of "Russian
airplanes in Syria".

Well for starters, there are tons and tons of ethnic Russians in Cyprus right off shore of the long time Russian Naval Base in Syria. Plus, if Syria's ruler Assad asks Putin to bring forces there, then what's stopping him?