Russia's Mariinsky Theatre orchestra performs at the amphitheatre in the Syria's historic city of Palmyra [Reuters]
James Denselow, Al Jazeera: Where next for Russia in Syria?
Russia has been able to call the shots because no other global power is willing to put as many chips on the table.
A good means of predicting what Moscow's next steps in the Syria conflict is to listen to what Russian political and military leaders say and prepare for the opposite. While other actors on this most bloody of stages have been characterised by their preference for short-term tactics, the Russians have long had a strategy for their involvement in the country.
Moscow's strategy is born of its historic relationship with the Assad regime and its priorities for the future of a fast-changing Middle East. What is more, this is largely unchallenged and unaccountable.
Putin is aware that after five years of bloodshed in Syria what is and isn't happening on the ground at a granular level is an unknown to all but the most ardent observers. Into this swirling fog of war the Russians have decided to paint their own narrative, realising that by controlling and sticking to consistent lines they can both write the first draft of history while affecting the actions of others.
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WNU editor: I have always found the Russian position on Syria to be consistent .... support the Assad regime. Now .... the situation on the ground is changing, and I suspect that the Russians are now wondering if they can successfully assist the Assad regime in routing rebel forces near Damascus and Aleppo .... and beyond. My prediction .... they are going to make that commitment of manpower and resources .... and I think that decision on when to strike is going to be made in the next few weeks if not sooner .... Russia says holding off air strikes on Nusra Front in Syria. (Reuters).
1 comment:
The Borg said "give peace a chance", so Russia did, almost nobody showed up.
The Borg said there were 75,000 Democratic Liberal Pro LBGTQ Moderates in the FSA, so Russia agreed that they could "stand up and be counted" via the cessation of Hostilities, I think the count's now up to 5 or so. Individuals, not groups.
The Borg said Russia was only ever bombing the FSA Flying Rainbow Unicorn Moderates, Hospitals and Civillians, so Russia created a "window", a "decent interval" in which the FSA Flying Rainbow Moderates could climb out of bed with ISIS and Al Quida, put on their skirts and stand aside. They didn't and instead swore fealty to ISIS or al Quida.
All of the Borgist myth's have been exposed and Russia can go back to war.
This part is especially funny:
"A good means of predicting what Moscow's next steps in the Syria conflict is to listen to what Russian political and military leaders say and prepare for the opposite. "
Russia's done exactly what they said they were going to do.
You will find this exchange funny:
"QUESTION: How many times – how many villages do they have to massacre before they become bad guys?
MR TONER: Look, we have – we’ve spoken out about this attack last week. I’m not going to get into soccer references.
[...]
MR TONER: First of all, no, we’re not giving them a yellow card. Second of all, they, like any member of the Syrian opposition who is part of the HNC and part of the cessation of hostilities, has to abide by it.
[...]
QUESTION: You know both Ahrar al-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam espouse exactly the same dogma as Jabhat al-Nusrah and others. They are anti-Western, they are anti-liberal, they are anti-democratic. They want to establish a very draconian caliphate and so on. What qualifies them as part of the moderate opposition?
MR TONER: As I said, I don’t have the specific scorecard in front of me. This was – but it was a process that was – the process of choosing the HNC was something that was agreed upon by all the parties of the ISSG with the understanding that no one’s given a free pass, and I accept that.
Please, last question, and then I – yeah, last question.
QUESTION: I want to follow up on Said’s question.
MR TONER: No, let me go in the back.
QUESTION: Did you know that one of the founders of --
MR TONER: I’ve answered many of your questions and I have to run. Please, in the back.
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/05/how-many-villages-do-they-have-to-massacre-before-they-become-bad-guys.html#more
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