tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post7693509199545475421..comments2024-03-28T20:28:01.733-04:00Comments on Mike Norman Economics: General Konashenkov — Russia will take down any unidentified flying objects in Syriamike normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03296006882513340747noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-62981230077893568762016-10-07T20:00:38.079-04:002016-10-07T20:00:38.079-04:00Trump could offer Vlad to put SM-3 in Crimea and t...Trump could offer Vlad to put SM-3 in Crimea and tell Russia to cut it off with Iran and re-task Assad to properly take out Hezzbollah/Isis.... <br /><br />"Win/win" .... Matt Frankohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11978352335097260145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-84875229333721226962016-10-07T19:24:13.099-04:002016-10-07T19:24:13.099-04:00On the other hand it is standard "neocon"...On the other hand it is standard "neocon" practice to smash "difficult" countries into rubble (Serbia, Iraq, Lybia, Syria) and keep them as such fostering endless conflict over the rubble. For several reasons:<br /><br />* To "reduce" a "problem" to a "background noise".<br />* To teach a lesson to everybody else.<br />* To generate lots of sales for military suppliers.<br />* To enthuse the nastier parts of the home voters.<br /><br />Sometimes this is done for the benefit of specific factions, sometimes it does not matter.Randomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04445772572707818311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-51246285931518259572016-10-07T16:27:26.552-04:002016-10-07T16:27:26.552-04:00A recurring question is whether Russia is willing ...A recurring question is whether Russia is willing to go nuclear over the fate of Syria. Hawks appear willing to find out.Peter Panhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09473311771939167712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-16399789984108263022016-10-07T13:13:20.770-04:002016-10-07T13:13:20.770-04:00Russia also has a naval base in Syria. They are un...Russia also has a naval base in Syria. They are unlikely to give that up or to see it threatened such as would happen if Assad losses power without Russian agreement. You would think our geniuses would understand that from what happened in Crimea. So when Russia beefs up its air defense systems there, they are telling us something, like stay away. We ought to listen to them. Jonfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08422916863145293925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-49981841591943671722016-10-07T13:04:19.618-04:002016-10-07T13:04:19.618-04:00You would think we have enough quagmires already i...You would think we have enough quagmires already in the ME without extending our never ending war of empire further. This seems to me like one more step on a dangerous path. Next thing you know Russia will retaliate in Ukraine with an incident and on it goes. Jonfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08422916863145293925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-54531057154899141672016-10-07T11:47:27.117-04:002016-10-07T11:47:27.117-04:00That's true, Mike, but the statement addresses...That's true, Mike, but the statement addresses Ash Carter and the deep state's proposal to the WH for "stealth" air attacks that are not identified as US. That's what "unidentified" aircraft means.<br /><br />Secondly, the US previously declared that it has personnel on the ground in Syria and will defend them. Russia responded in kind.<br /><br />So while neither side has declared a "no-fly zone" in those terms, they have both declared that they are ready to act. Russia has moved in more missile batteries capable of destroying incoming Tomahawk cruise missiles and has let the US know it will do so in the even of a stealth attack.<br /><br />General Dunham outlined that seeing up an actual no-fly zone would be an act of war against Syria without a UN mandate and it would likely develop into war with Russia, too. McCan objected that was not true. McCain was clearly thinking that the US could interdict in Syria without actually establishing a no-fly zone in the military sense.<br /><br />I should have put quotes are "no-fly zone" in the post.<br /><br />BTW to understand what is going on in Syria it is necessary to keep in mind that the US has two key objectives that it is pursuing. <br /><br />The first is removal of Assad's government.<br /><br />The second is creating a quagmire for the Russians similar to the quagmire the introduction of the "freedom fights" created for them in Afghanistan.<br /><br />The first objective was to be accomplished by arming Assad's opposition. But Assad's opposition proves worthless in fighting so the US turned a blind eye and actually encouraged the entry of Al; Qaeda, who are the real fighters. Many are not even Syrian.<br /><br />Then Russia entered and the US strategist saw this not so much as a challenge as an opportunity to weaken Russia by drawing it into a quagmire.<br /><br />So far the US has not been able to get the upper hand but is far from giving up, since losing Syria would seriously weaken the US position in MENA.<br /><br />Everything else is just bullshit.Tom Hickeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08454222098667643650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-52664472897683253942016-10-07T11:30:23.577-04:002016-10-07T11:30:23.577-04:00This is not a "no fly" zone. The stateme...This is not a "no fly" zone. The statement was, Russia will take down any "unidentified" aircraft in Syria. The Americans have identified themselves. Then bombed. Tough, but hollow, words by that Russian general.mike normanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03296006882513340747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-9721668960782848912016-10-07T10:15:31.946-04:002016-10-07T10:15:31.946-04:00John Kerry is on the record pushing for a military...John Kerry is on the record pushing for a military intervention in spite of the legal ramifications. He isn't an exception in this regard, for we have seen Washington violate international law before.<br /><br />Expect retaliation in some form - unless Trump wins.Peter Panhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09473311771939167712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-68592162177426685492016-10-07T02:03:48.461-04:002016-10-07T02:03:48.461-04:00I guess that puts a stop to Israel's daily bom...I guess that puts a stop to Israel's daily bombings of Syria.GLHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02791463748430739099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-38766813715637196462016-10-06T21:50:39.510-04:002016-10-06T21:50:39.510-04:00John Kerry has already been quoted as saying priva...John Kerry has already been quoted as saying privately that the administrations lawyers have advised that US direct involvement on Syrian territory is a violation of international law. POTUS has to take that into account.<br /><br /> I doubt that Obama want that on his legacy at the point in his presidency. The others can yell and scream but it's not their responsibility and they are not in a position to order a strike, as much as the CIA and Pentagon would like to. <br /><br />Could some faction go rogue. Of course, but that would be pretty much the end for the US if it's known that the commander-in-chief is not in charge.Tom Hickeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08454222098667643650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761684730989137546.post-64392320014243777762016-10-06T21:38:59.721-04:002016-10-06T21:38:59.721-04:00I highly doubt that the US can let this slight go ...I highly doubt that the US can let this slight go unpunished, for doing so would send the wrong message to the world in the eyes of the neocons in particular. My goodness, what would AIPAC think of the prospect of Syria remaining whole?<br /><br />Whether the US chooses a horizontal target, assassinates Assad or something else, I will be shocked if nothing happens.<br /><br />I would like very much to be proven wrong, however, I will not be holding my breath.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462699745242698272noreply@blogger.com