Voice Of America: US, NATO Express Concern About Russian Military in Syria
The United States and NATO have reacted with concern to reports of increased Russian military presence in Syria.
A senior U.S. defense official told VOA that Russia has been airlifting military supplies to Syria, calling such activities “unhelpful.”
State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters he did not have confirmation of a Russian buildup, but that Russia's "intent here is unclear." He said Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the issue by telephone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
WNU Editor: What is interesting to me are the countries that are saying nothing .... case in point .... China and many Arab states are remaining quiet.
More Reaction To The Growing Russian Involvement In The Syrian Civil War
Syria crisis: Nato concerned by Russia 'military build-up' -- BBC
NATO Voices Concern About the Russian Military Presence in Syria -- Time
NATO worried about alleged Russian military buildup in Syria -- Euronews
U.S. warns Russia on military buildup in Syria -- CNN
Russian military build-up in Syria ‘unprecedented,’ officials say -- FOX News
Germany warns Russia against military engagement in Syria -- Irish Times
Germany Warns Allies On the Dangers of Escalating Military Role in Syria -- WSJ
Israeli defense minister says Russian troops are already in Syria to aid Assad against IS -- AP
Russian troops join combat in Syria amid U.S. concern over military buildup -- Washington Times
What IS Russia sending to Syria? Moscow admits delivering 'military supplies but no extra troops' to Assad – as U.S. warns build-up compares to Putin's incursion in Crimea -- Daily Mail
2 comments:
Any plans for a solution to the war that would involve a removal of
Assad from power were never realistic to begin with. For anyone to support such a policy, would be the equivalent of someone planning their financial future around winning the lottery three times in their lifetime. It's just not going to happen.
Now with the increase Russian involvement this slim chance o some type of solution that does not involve Assad retaining power in Syria is now all but completely became impossible. Since China and Russia are allies, it would be expected that China would "remain quiet." As for the Arab nations, it is probably setting in for them that Russia and China are the most powerful nations in the world and it is going to be this way for a long, long time.
Policies are being adjusted around this reality. Also, if the Russians take out ISIS, this would probably be extremely helpful to them. Russian involvement probably allows a much better chance of this actually occurring.
If the analysis on Russian power is correct, remaining quiet is the best approach. If it is not correct, keeping quiet at this early stage is still probably the best approach. For the Arab states to keep quiet right now is a policy decision that has huge upside benefits with virtually no downside benefits. As such, this approach seems hardly surprising.
I can't agree Poster. Assad is done, oh he may stay around for awhile with the trappings of power, but his status has become nothing more than a bargaining chip for Putin in future negotiations with (fill in the blank). Also from how the Russians are entering this arena, I think they've made some grave miscalculations that will really come to harm them. As far WNU's prediction of a protracted conflict, I can only agree that the "conflict" will be protracted, but the participants and the location of the "conflict" are going change many times with alot of unpredictability.
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