Roy Gutman, Daily Beast: As Obama Dithers, Syrian Rebels in Aleppo Brace for Putin’s Onslaught
The Russians are pursuing a strategy lifted from their playbook in Grozny during the last Chechen war, and Aleppo could soon become the new “most destroyed city on earth.”
ISTANBUL — When Russia dropped its bombshell announcement of a plan to bring “stabilization” and “assistance” to rebel-held Aleppo by emptying it of its inhabitants and its defenders, the U.S., the UN, and any number of countries working to end the war in Syria were taken aback.
Gen. Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defense minister, announced that President Vladimir Putin had issued a decree ordering a “large scale humanitarian operation” in Aleppo, which has been under siege for three weeks.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 1, 2016
The forces besieging Aleppo are counting on our indifference -- Natalie Nougayrède, The Guardian
Making sense of the 2016 summer of terror -- Ibrahim al-Marashi, Al Jazeera
The al-Qaeda playbook has lessons for the US in the war against Islamic State -- Peter Hartcher, Sydney Morning Herald
Turkey and The West: Heading for A Breakup -- William Armstrong, War on the Rocks
Did the UK leave Afghanistan's Helmand too soon? -- Jonathan Beale, BBC
Afghanistan Still Hasn’t Recovered from the Soviet Invasion -- Shawn Snow, National Interest
How big of a threat is North Korea? -- The Week editorial
Breaking the mould? South Africa at a crossroads as country goes to polls -- Jason Burke, The Guardian
Who profits as the EU militarises its borders? -- Antony Loewenstein, The National
Trump's Ukraine Gaffe Actually Makes Some Sense -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg
Why Russia Keeps Getting Away With Hacking America -- Eli Lake, Bloomberg
Cyber Showdown: How Russian Hacking Works -- Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs
The Extravagant Gamble of Rio's Olympic Mayor -- Mac Margolis, Bloomberg
Latin America's Radical Left Unravels -- Fabio Rafael Fiallo, RCW
America the basket case -- Conrad Black, National Post
Why borders matter — and a borderless world is a fantasy -- Victor Davis Hanson, L.A. Times
The "rebel" head choppers are trying to open a corridor to bring humanitarian aid into Aleppo? Is this why they have blocked residents from using the Government provided corridors? is this why they shot down a helicopter carrying aid? America isn't helping? Is this why they farted around trying to get Russia to roll over, and bring the Syrians with them, all just to buy time for their little Wahhabi buddies to organize this current offensive? Is this why the weapons they use are American made and supplied?
ReplyDeleteWhat a crock of s@@+ this Al Jazeera piece is.
Washington won't take on the Russians directly because Obama knows it means a$$whoopin time in the valley for "the coalition".
Here's something much more reflective of the truth.
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/08/the-larger-context-of-the-jihadi-attack-on-aleppo-.html
Been watching the developments closely on the live map, looks like the Wahhabis got pretty close to breaking through the ring but were stopped short and thrown back. I have to admit I had trouble sleeping last night wondering what was going on...like this has any impact on my life half a world away. Still fascinating to be able to watch a battle unfold in darn near real time as I sit at home at my computer...it must truly be heart wrenching for people with relatives in Aleppo, no matter which side they are on.
ReplyDeleteLet's wait till Hell'ary Clinton become the new cobra commander and thighs are going to get very real over there.
ReplyDelete