Consolidated Syria Conflict Thread

[mirth]

I don't think he's an isolationist. He's had no problem ramping up drone strikes, for one. Agree with the policy or not, taking people out on foreign soil is pretty interventionist.

He and his administration simply seem far more interested in pushing a domestic agenda before the clock runs out. There's apparently no interest in a cohesive foreign policy. Even an isolationist foreign policy would be more coherent than the current lack of any plan.

[pawelj]

I don't think he's an isolationist. He's had no problem ramping up drone strikes, for one. Agree with the policy or not, taking people out on foreign soil is pretty interventionist.

He and his administration simply seem far more interested in pushing a domestic agenda before the clock runs out. There's apparently no interest in a cohesive foreign policy. Even an isolationist foreign policy would be more coherent than the current lack of any plan.

Don't think he's isolationist. I think he's just way over his head in foreign policy, or he's just a pussy.

[mirth]

Imo, he's far more the appeaser than the isolationist.

[LongBlade]

Heh. I never said he as a competent isolationist!

[LongBlade]

If those missiles flew over Iran and Iraq they were not fired from the Med. Was it from Caspian sea?

Yes. Not sure what platforms they used to launch them.

Found a report on that:

The naval strikes on Wednesday were the first known operational use of state-of-the-art SSN-30A Kalibr cruise missiles, which were still being tested by the Russian navy in August.

source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/syrian-activists-russian-air-strikes-pound-rebel-zones-in-latest-blows/2015/10/07/fb3be168-5cf3-4e38-98f3-f6b75ed53871_story.html

[Grimnirsson]

Ok, it seems the time for airstrikes only is coming to an end:

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/610143/Islamic-State-ISIS-Putin-Spetsnaz-Syria-special-forces-airstrikes

[Centurion40]

Ok, it seems the time for airstrikes only is coming to an end:

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/610143/Islamic-State-ISIS-Putin-Spetsnaz-Syria-special-forces-airstrikes

Perhaps the ultimate motivation for Russia:

"They are there to mop up after air strikes, call in air strikes, go on extremely covert missions against rebels and ultimately wipe them out.

"And they will not be as accountable as British or US special forces. They are there for one reason, to wipe out anyone threatening Assad. By any means. And by doing that they will be consolidating Russia's position on the Med and in the Middle East."

If they were only there to battle ISIS, I would offer nothing but applause.  But they are really there to help Assad regain control over all of Syria.  Which means moderate, freedom-seeking democratic rebel forces will be Russian targets too.

[mirth]

And when they're done in Syria, they can slide right over to Iraq.

[bayonetbrant]

https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/07/the-men-who-pretend-to-be-syrian-refugees-greece/

[mirth]

https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/07/the-men-who-pretend-to-be-syrian-refugees-greece/

Gee, if only someone could have foreseen this problem 

[LongBlade]

"They are there to mop up after air strikes, call in air strikes, go on extremely covert missions

As opposed to casually covert missions?

[Grimnirsson]

If they were only there to battle ISIS, I would offer nothing but applause.  But they are really there to help Assad regain control over all of Syria

In Putins view, which he stated many times, this is not an either/or question. So they are not only there to battle the IS, but they will also battle them - and this will be the first time a highly trained military force is going against them on the ground. And that's a good thing in my book.

[Nefaro]

I don't think he's an isolationist. He's had no problem ramping up drone strikes, for one. Agree with the policy or not, taking people out on foreign soil is pretty interventionist.

He and his administration simply seem far more interested in pushing a domestic agenda before the clock runs out. There's apparently no interest in a cohesive foreign policy. Even an isolationist foreign policy would be more coherent than the current lack of any plan.

This.

I think of it as, basically, the direct opposite of Kennedy's approach to the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Kowtowing interspersed with indecision self-serving fabrications and denial.

[Marty Ward]

Opps.

"Russian cruise missiles intended for targets in Syria hit Iran instead"

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/10/08/russian-cruise-missiles-intended-for-targets-in-syria-hit-iran-instead/?intcmp=hpbt3

[mirth]

Opps.

"Russian cruise missiles intended for targets in Syria hit Iran instead"

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/10/08/russian-cruise-missiles-intended-for-targets-in-syria-hit-iran-instead/?intcmp=hpbt3

But the YouTube video made it look so precise and flawless!