The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

The Strategic Issues & International Relations Forum is a venue to discuss issues pertaining to India's security environment, her strategic outlook on global affairs and as well as the effect of international relations in the Indian Subcontinent. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
A_Gupta
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12065
Joined: 23 Oct 2001 11:31
Contact:

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by A_Gupta »

Opinion: The Army that never will be...
http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semp ... in-sy.html
When you add this all together you find that the only Sunnis seriously fighting the Islamists (IS, Nusra, etc.) are Kurds and the Sunni Arab soldiers and militia fighting on the side of the government in Syria. They and their Russian, Hizbullah, IRGC and sectarian and ethnic militia allies are alone and will remain alone.
Satya_anveshi
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3532
Joined: 08 Jan 2007 02:37

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Satya_anveshi »

May be Qatar/US/ISIS is preparing to bomb some place and blame it on Russia:

Ukraine Selling Soviet-Made High Explosive Bombs to Qatar
http://sputniknews.com/world/20151207/1 ... group.html
Kiev is allegedly ready to conclude a lucrative contract with Qatar for the purchase of Soviet-made high-explosive OFAB-250-270 bombs.

Moreover, it seems that Qatar has an urgent need for this ammunition, given that Doha set the price much higher than the market price at $2000 apiece instead of $700.
The details of the deal were obtained by CyberBerkut after they managed to hack into the company's mail servers ‘Spetstehnoexsport’ (part of the group ‘Ukroboronprom’).

The mediator between the company and the Qatari Ministry of Defense is a Polish company called Level 11.
Y. Kanan
BRFite
Posts: 926
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: USA

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Y. Kanan »

Turkey may close the straights

Look at the geography of the Dardanelles & Bosphorus straights. Russia would be screwed - surprised Erdogan hasn't done this already. Something tells me this is coming. As I predicted earlier, Turkey is about to invade Syria (on a large scale this time), ostensibly to create a "safe zone". We all know the real intent. Hence their trump card (closing the straights if Russia tries to stop their invasion).

http://mobile.todayszaman.com/diplomacy ... 06058.html
Last edited by Y. Kanan on 07 Dec 2015 23:57, edited 1 time in total.
Bhurishrava
BRFite
Posts: 477
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Bhurishrava »

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... ign-policy
Erdogan’s dreams of empire are perilous for Turkey
Y. Kanan
BRFite
Posts: 926
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: USA

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Y. Kanan »

In Afghanistan, USSR made a mistake of not going after Pakistan. It should have asked India to open a second front against Pakistan from East while USSR came from west. Atleast, India should have made this offer. USSR was present in Astan from 1980 to 1990. During 1980s, Pakistan was funding proxies to fight USSR in Astan and supporting Khalisthani insurgency in India. USSR and India were already close allies with military angle. Yet, somehow they didn't come together to sandwich Pakjab and cut them to size. By not going after Pakjab, USSR lost in Astan. And then, India suffered terrorism in Kashmir in 1990s. A golden chance to finish off common-enemy Pakistan was squandered away.
I wouldn't be surprised if the USSR did indeed make that offer and got rebuffed. Yes we are that cowardly and stupid as has been proven by our foreign policies time and again...
Bhurishrava
BRFite
Posts: 477
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Bhurishrava »

http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_ge ... 06023.html
German TV channel films ISIL slave trade in Turkey.
German television station ARD has produced footage documenting the slave trade being conducted by the radical terrorist group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) through a liaison office in Turkey.
Long live NATO and NATO allies.
A_Gupta
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12065
Joined: 23 Oct 2001 11:31
Contact:

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by A_Gupta »

^^^ There is an IDSA book linked in the first post of the STFUP thread. It is dated 2010.

Take a quick scan of it. Even in 2010, the thinking was that Pakistan is a security-seeking state.
You handle a security-seeking state by not making it more insecure.

In fact, I was looking at the stuff on the first post of the STFUP thread, and there is very little about India perceiving its battle with Pakistan as an ideological one or a civilizational one. It is either about a territorial dispute or else about Pakistan as a security-seeking state.

If that was the perception, then why would India "sandwich Pakjab and cut it down to size"? It is only when you see Pakistan as an ideological or civilizational adversary that you would do that.
member_28533
BRFite
Posts: 371
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by member_28533 »

Not sure if this is the right thread, but French seem upping the ante against Islamists.

-----
France elections: National Front leads in regional polls
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35018849
-----

France's far-right National Front (FN) appears to have made big gains in the first round of regional elections, estimates show.

They put the FN ahead in at least six of 13 regions in mainland France.

The elections are the first electoral test since last month's Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed.

The centre-right Republicans party led by former President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared to be in second place ahead of the governing Socialist Party.

A second round of voting will be held on 13 December.

As the results became clear, the Socialist party said it was withdrawing from the second round in at least two regions, in the north and the south, to try to block a run-off victory for the FN.
Bhurishrava
BRFite
Posts: 477
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Bhurishrava »

http://news.yahoo.com/clashes-between-s ... 08227.html
Clashes between Syrian fighters pose challenge for Turkey, U.S.
"Turkish groups against U.S. groups -- it's odd," he said.
:rotfl:

NATO allies.
SBajwa
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5778
Joined: 10 Jan 2006 21:35
Location: Attari

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by SBajwa »

Atleast, India should have made this offer
Gandhis were talking with Bhuttos!!
Suresh S
BRFite
Posts: 857
Joined: 25 Dec 2008 22:19

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Suresh S »

people in glass houses should not throw stones.There are 80 million(blacks and hispanics ) reasons America should not do this evil anglo saxon policy of putting shia against sunnis, hindus against muslims etc. They have a a long border with Mexico and I am sure people could be pursuaded.One of these days piss and democracy may come to America if they keep doing what they have been doing to others over many decades.
Satya_anveshi
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3532
Joined: 08 Jan 2007 02:37

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Satya_anveshi »

Retired Lt. Col. Ralph Peters calls Obama 'pussy' after yesterday's speech.

He did not add 'cat' after that word.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lael5be5BUY
chanakyaa
BRFite
Posts: 1723
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 00:09
Location: Hiding in Karakoram

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by chanakyaa »

On a lighter note on europe's new bakistan,

Child marriages make up one third in Turkey
shaardula
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2591
Joined: 17 Apr 2006 20:02

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by shaardula »

habal wrote:http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/54943 ... ish-world/

200 Years Ago, War Between Turkey and Russia Prophesied as Sign of Redemption
By Rivkah Lambert Adler November 29, 2015 , 1:00 pm


Just before his death in 1797, an exceedingly well-respected Jewish sage known as the Vilna Gaon (the genius of Vilna) left his followers with a prophetic statement about two specific events that would happen just before the appearance of the Messiah.

After being held as “a closely guarded secret” for over 200 years, Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch, a great-grandson of the Vilna Gaon, shared the full prophecy publically for the first time in 2014. The text of the Vilna Gaon’s prophecy was reported by Rabbi Lazer Brody, an American-born Hasidic rabbi and teacher from Ashdod, Israel in March, 2014.
When you hear that the Russians have captured the city of Crimea, you should know that the times of the Messiah have started, that his steps are being heard. And when you hear that the Russians have reached the city of Constantinople, you should put on your Shabbat (Sabbath) clothes and don’t take them off, because it means that the Messiah is about to come any minute.”
Jewish sage Vilna Gaon 1797
sorry habal. but this is sellout of the highest order to a self centered (as if the entire world revolves around the travails of the desert gods). Why are you prioritizing the nihilistic, life-negating world-view of these people? this type of thought is antediluvian at multiple levels.
habal
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6919
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 18:46

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by habal »

shaardula avare, israel is our frontline ally no ?
it has yet to do us any harm.
yet so much animosity.
just a data point to keep in mind, what is the loss.
a lot if things we personally may not like exist in world. But these may also impact us some time. We need to keep tabs on everything.
Y. Kanan wrote:Turkey may will close the straights
only matter of time for Turkey to awaken semi-conscious bear
shiv
BRF Oldie
Posts: 34982
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Pindliyon ka Gooda

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by shiv »

Y. Kanan wrote:
In Afghanistan, USSR made a mistake of not going after Pakistan. It should have asked India to open a second front against Pakistan from East while USSR came from west. Atleast, India should have made this offer. USSR was present in Astan from 1980 to 1990. During 1980s, Pakistan was funding proxies to fight USSR in Astan and supporting Khalisthani insurgency in India. USSR and India were already close allies with military angle. Yet, somehow they didn't come together to sandwich Pakjab and cut them to size. By not going after Pakjab, USSR lost in Astan. And then, India suffered terrorism in Kashmir in 1990s. A golden chance to finish off common-enemy Pakistan was squandered away.
I wouldn't be surprised if the USSR did indeed make that offer and got rebuffed. Yes we are that cowardly and stupid as has been proven by our foreign policies time and again...
Actually Indian history between 1980 and 1990 explains why India was in no position to do international gaand-masti. Indira Gandhi came to power in 1980 after the post emergency government of piss drinker and Charan Singh the opportunist. The economy was in coma and Indira allowed Sanjay Gandhi to run the government until he died in 1980. After that she went into a shell. She made bad moves in Punjab and her cronies supported Bhindranwale who occupied the Akal Takht and no one had the guts to get him out. Eventually Indira did the second blackest thing that has happened in post independence India - sending the army in. Soon after that was Indira Gandhi's assassination and the blackest event in the history of post independence India - the massacre of over 3000 Sikhs in Delhi, and event that is not discussed at all while the airwaves have been filled with Godhra by the motherfukin murdering Congressis. Then Rajiv Gandhi took over but the government was run by his friends and he put Indian troops in Sri Lanka where they had to fight with one arm tied behind their backs. Sikh militancy went on till 1990 much to the glee of Pakistan, which was very strong then. Under Zia Pakistan had the backing of the US and was fighting the Soviet empire which was dying.

It is easy to blabber that India should have does this and done that in the absence of all information about how Indian leaders were cocking things up in India at that time. It was at this time that the joke goes that Sonia Gandhi asked Rajiv for a divorce and he asked "Why" and she replied "because you are doing to the country what you should be doing to me"
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Singha »

Ivan Sidorenko ‏@IvanSidorenko1 8h8 hours ago
#Syria #Aleppo #SouthernAleppo Kinana - For the First Time a Unmanned #RuAF #Russian Drone targeted Militants today.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Singha »

habal
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6919
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 18:46

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by habal »

This is from Iranmilitaryforum.net

Russia has conducted first sorties from Shayrat (Homs) and Tiyas (Palmyra), its new bases in Syria. They are now officially operating

https://twitter.com/yurybarmin/status/6 ... 9690992640

Iranmilitaryforum.net has a thread on the Syrian war and one on Yemen too.

Iran military forum's Syria thread:
http://www.iranmilitaryforum.net/index. ... #msg321230

Russiadefence,net also has threads on Syria and Yemen:

http://www.russiadefence.net/f11-middle-east-militaries
Satya_anveshi
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3532
Joined: 08 Jan 2007 02:37

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Satya_anveshi »

This is Putin of 2013 defending to keep Snowden in Russia.

Just marvel in the consistency of his logic and how he backs that up with real actions (or inaction here) despite a mountain load of pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXmzgmzcOgg
habal
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6919
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 18:46

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by habal »

this how they roll lie.

when it is clear from syrian army sources that 4 planes had attacked the base with sum total of 9 missiles being fired. USA comes up with usual pigeon poop of a single backfire flying above the affected town at same time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/08/world ... html?&_r=0
'A senior United States official later attributed any deaths and any damage to the Syrian base to what he called “a screw-up” by the Russians, who joined the Syria war in September as allies of Mr. Assad and have conducted airstrikes with Backfire bombers and other aerial armaments.

“We’ve got a radar track showing a Backfire bomber flying directly over the town that the Syrians named a few minutes before the first claims that we killed some Syrian troops,” the American official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational details.'

Of course 'Mr Anonymity' wasn't able to say where the radar track originated from or where it went to.
But then the article wasn't able to stop talking bollocks after then either.....
and what he forgot to say was how the russians co-ordinated entire adventure of bombing the base with their close allies the ISIS, who were just around the corner waiting for the opportunity to present itself, which they knew was coming. So many co-incidences no ?
johneeG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3473
Joined: 01 Jun 2009 12:47

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by johneeG »

shiv wrote: Actually Indian history between 1980 and 1990 explains why India was in no position to do international gaand-masti. Indira Gandhi came to power in 1980 after the post emergency government of piss drinker and Charan Singh the opportunist. The economy was in coma and Indira allowed Sanjay Gandhi to run the government until he died in 1980. After that she went into a shell. She made bad moves in Punjab and her cronies supported Bhindranwale who occupied the Akal Takht and no one had the guts to get him out. Eventually Indira did the second blackest thing that has happened in post independence India - sending the army in. Soon after that was Indira Gandhi's assassination and the blackest event in the history of post independence India - the massacre of over 3000 Sikhs in Delhi, and event that is not discussed at all while the airwaves have been filled with Godhra by the motherfukin murdering Congressis. Then Rajiv Gandhi took over but the government was run by his friends and he put Indian troops in Sri Lanka where they had to fight with one arm tied behind their backs. Sikh militancy went on till 1990 much to the glee of Pakistan, which was very strong then. Under Zia Pakistan had the backing of the US and was fighting the Soviet empire which was dying.

It is easy to blabber that India should have does this and done that in the absence of all information about how Indian leaders were cocking things up in India at that time. It was at this time that the joke goes that Sonia Gandhi asked Rajiv for a divorce and he asked "Why" and she replied "because you are doing to the country what you should be doing to me"
Going into Sri Lanka didn't gain us anything. Both LTTE & Lankans crossed us. And Sri Lanka is not even a main threat. Rather than sending Army to Sri Lanka, wouldn't it have been a good idea to collaborate with USSR to sandwich Pakjab? In 1980s, India actually was fighting a full-fledged insurgency in Punjab right on the borders of Pakistan. Rather than doing a defensive move like trying to fight an insurgency, India should have opened a full-fledged front against Pakistan and asked USSR to come from the other side. Operation Brasstacks was conducted in 1986. It should have been taken to its logical conclusion. I think 1980-1990 period was the best time to finish off Pakistan. By now, we would have gotten over all the side-effects.
Last edited by johneeG on 08 Dec 2015 08:53, edited 1 time in total.
shiv
BRF Oldie
Posts: 34982
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Pindliyon ka Gooda

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by shiv »

johneeG wrote: Rather than doing a defensive move like trying to fight an insurgency, India should have opened a full-fledged front against Pakistan and asked USSR to come from the other side. Operation Brasstacks was conducted in 1986. It should have been taken to its logical conclusion. I think 1980-1990 period was the best time to finish off Pakistan. By now, we would have gotten over all the side-effects.
That is the favourite excuse I hear from people who say that Pakistan should have been dealt with then; we can't do it now. Like they say "If my aunt had a d__k, she would have been my uncle" I suggest a better reading of history. Off topic No more from me on this here.
UlanBatori
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14045
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by UlanBatori »

There u go! Proof that Putin is in fact the Manchurian Anatolian Candidate - closet Islamist. While BO is a closet (never mind).
Meanwhile, from UBCT hysterical files of 2500-year-old Scandinavian Witches stirring hooch:
Bubble bubble toil and trouble..
Ven shall v 3 meet again
In Blunder, Backstab or in UN?

Beware the Ides of December..
When the Flying Drone shall pulverize the pest
Then should u sell ur options on Saudi oil
johneeG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3473
Joined: 01 Jun 2009 12:47

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by johneeG »

shiv wrote:
johneeG wrote: Rather than doing a defensive move like trying to fight an insurgency, India should have opened a full-fledged front against Pakistan and asked USSR to come from the other side. Operation Brasstacks was conducted in 1986. It should have been taken to its logical conclusion. I think 1980-1990 period was the best time to finish off Pakistan. By now, we would have gotten over all the side-effects.
That is the favourite excuse I hear from people who say that Pakistan should have been dealt with then; we can't do it now. I suggest a better reading of history. Off topic No more from me on this here.
No, I didn't say it can't be done now. I said it could have been done in the past. By not doing that, we squandered an easy chance and suffered in consequence.
UlanBatori
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14045
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by UlanBatori »

JohneeG: In 1980 India was a few senate votes away from having the US send B-52s etc. Let's not waste time on unrealities. Same with Kashmir 1948. India did not have the capability to wage a war that needed ammunition and spare parts and most of all... OIL. Still does not.
johneeG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3473
Joined: 01 Jun 2009 12:47

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by johneeG »

UlanBatori wrote:JohneeG: In 1980 India was a few senate votes away from having the US send B-52s etc. Let's not waste time on unrealities. Same with Kashmir 1948. India did not have the capability to wage a war that needed ammunition and spare parts and most of all... OIL. Still does not.
Saar,
India will never have Oil unless we occupy middle-east.

How was India able to fight in 1965, 1971 and also 1999? In 1965, India actually didn't even have wheat leave alone oil. In 1971, US actually sent an aircraft carrier to save Pakistan by threatening India. USSR sent a submarine to help India in East-Pakistan. Why can't a similar collaboration have been done between USSR & India in 1980-1990 to finish off west-Pakistan also? In 1999, India actually called Pakistan's nuclear bluff. In 1980-1990, there was not even a proper nuclear bluff. Just a faint hint that perhaps they are about to make a nuke. From all angles, 1980-1990 was a squandered chance. Both USSR and India suffered later.
Satya_anveshi
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3532
Joined: 08 Jan 2007 02:37

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Satya_anveshi »

I don't know whether this is due to my prayers being heard by Buddha and speaking thru this chirkut or uncle sam speaking.

If latter my suggestion is this chirkut should go to Raqqa and tell this to ISIS, they will be happy to have a dialog with him over nice cup of green tea. Oh...they will save a saffron color dress which they will make their victims wear prior to hallaling.

Dalai Lama: Dialogue with ISIS vital, there is no other way - Dec 08, 2015
http://aranews.net/2015/12/16802/
“Yes, we are of course looking at building a relationship (with ISIS). We have a very clear humanitarian vision. First, what we see is 10 million people. Ten million people under the control of the Islamic State group. We are interested in these 10 million people. What happens to them? What are their problems? This is what will guide us,”
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Philip »

There is a media report today on an Indo-Russian agreement to manufacture MKI spares in India.The chief reason for low availability of aircraft is due not to the absence of spares from Russia,but the long and time-consuming method by which babudom vets requests from the services.After a year or so has past and the request accepted,the Russians are then informed (naturally it will then take its extra production time),NOT during the approval process which could save time.This method would be std. for any weapon system and country,not Russia specific.
This is why the services have spares,ammo shortages on all fronts. A plague upon babudom.Modi and MP have to exorcise this demon which is throttling the nation to death.

One also wonders why in recent times,the GOI has not along with acquisitions,also agreed upon a spars/support package in India for the same,well knowing the delays of babudom.One can l=only infer that babudom deliberately wants delays so that escalation clauses can be invoked ,adding to costs,which benefits them if they're on the take.

Now watch the anxious Soothis try and cobble together the motley band of Sunni jihadis into an anti-Assad front,as their covert plan of using ISIS to redefine the ME borders has come unstuck after the Russian onslaught exposing the real benefactors and puppet masters of ISIS.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/d ... rian-unity
Saudi Arabia to host latest round of talks aimed at Syrian unity
Riyadh conference will attempt to bring together rebel groups in war-torn country to find peaceful end to ongoing conflict
Ian Black Middle East editor
Tuesday 8 December 2015

Efforts to persuade Syrian rebel groups to unite are moving to Saudi Arabia ahead of a tight deadline for convening talks with Bashar al-Assad and maintaining the momentum of international diplomacy to end the war.

At least 26 Syrian civilians killed in suspected US-led airstrike

The conference in Riyadh, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, is an ambitious attempt to bring together disparate organisations whose divisions have been a serious barrier to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict, which has hitherto lasted four and a half years.

It is expected to produce a document setting out a shared vision for the future of the country and to form a 25-member committee to represent the fragmented opposition camp.

The Saudis, who are working openly to overthrow Assad, have invited what they term all “moderate” opposition elements. That excludes the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate, which are proscribed by the UN as terrorist organisations. But it includes other Islamist groups that western countries find too militant.

Jaysh al-Islam, which has strong Saudi links, has not confirmed whether it will attend. Neither has Ahrar al-Sham, another important and militarily effective group, which is supported primarily by Turkey and has been trying to improve its image to attract western backing.

The Riyadh conference is expected to bring together up to 150 representatives of political and armed groups. These include the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) and the Damascus-based National Coordination Committee – which is tolerated by Assad.

Representatives of the Free Syrian Army, which western countries want to fight Isis on the ground to complement their airstrikes, will also be there. But key Kurdish groups have not been invited because of Turkish objections and will convene their own separate conference in the northern Syrian city of Hassakeh.

Numbers of participants have swollen. “Every Syrian worth their salt wants to be on that committee because they think it’s a stepping stone to becoming a minister in a national unity government,” said one well-placed source. “The list keeps getting longer and longer.” Saudi largesse is another consideration. :rotfl:

US officials have advised opposition groups to adopt “creative language” when discussing the highly sensitive question of Assad’s fate, al-Hayat reported.

Isis is expanding its international reach. That is hardly a sign of weakness
Hassan Hassan

Washington and London have been showing flexibility on this issue, suggesting the president could remain in power for an unspecified transitional period, as mentioned in the 2012 Geneva blueprint for ending the war.

The US special envoy for Syria, Michael Ratney, reportedly expressed this position in talks with opposition leaders in Istanbul last Friday, but it remains highly contentious.

“The opposition still demands the departure of Assad at the beginning of the transition period,” insisted Ahmed Ramadan, an SNC member. “We cannot negotiate before agreeing in principle and having a date for the departure of Assad.”

Hassan Abdel Azim, who heads the National Coordination Committee, said: “There is an international agreement that this issue should be decided by the Syrians.” This group and independent Syrians insist on the need to preserve the institutions of the Syrian state. Qadri Jamil, leader of the Syrian Popular Front for Change and Liberation, which is close to Russia, said the event was “doomed to failure”.

The Riyadh conference will be the first time representatives of the political opposition and military factions fighting the Syrian government have come together since the conflict erupted in March 2011.

In the past, coordination between anti-Assad groups has been bedevilled by rivalry between the countries that back them – including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.

Independent participants include Moaz al-Khatib, the highly regarded Damascus preacher and former SNC president, and Jihad Makdissi, the former Syrian foreign ministry spokesman, who left the country in 2012.

Armed groups fear being strong-armed by the Saudis into backing statements that their supporters on the ground will reject, Syrian sources said.

International efforts to tackle the Syrian crisis took a significant step forward in Vienna in late October when Iran, a staunch supporter of Assad, attended talks for the first time after US pressure overcame the objections of its Saudi rival.

They were further galvanised after the Paris killings on November 13, with a UN-backed plan for intra-Syrian talks by 1 January, a ceasefire by next May and UN-supervised elections a year later.

Jordan has been asked to draw up a list of which Syrian groups are eligible to take part in talks with Assad. The problem there is that the Syrian leader characterises all his opponents as terrorists.

Iran, which backs the Vienna process, has attacked the Riyadh conference, warning it will lead to the failure of international talks. Tehran said on Sunday that Assad’s fate should only be decided by the Syrian people. US secretary of state John Kerry said the next round of talks on the crisis would be held in New York next week
Bhurishrava
BRFite
Posts: 477
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Bhurishrava »

udaym wrote:On a lighter note on europe's new bakistan,

Child marriages make up one third in Turkey
Sultan Erdogan has also removed restrictions on `religious mariages` so this will only increase.
member_29004
BRFite -Trainee
Posts: 61
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by member_29004 »

johneeG wrote:
shiv wrote: Actually Indian history between 1980 and 1990 explains why India was in no position to do international gaand-masti. Indira Gandhi came to power in 1980 after the post emergency government of piss drinker and Charan Singh the opportunist. The economy was in coma and Indira allowed Sanjay Gandhi to run the government until he died in 1980. After that she went into a shell. She made bad moves in Punjab and her cronies supported Bhindranwale who occupied the Akal Takht and no one had the guts to get him out. Eventually Indira did the second blackest thing that has happened in post independence India - sending the army in. Soon after that was Indira Gandhi's assassination and the blackest event in the history of post independence India - the massacre of over 3000 Sikhs in Delhi, and event that is not discussed at all while the airwaves have been filled with Godhra by the motherfukin murdering Congressis. Then Rajiv Gandhi took over but the government was run by his friends and he put Indian troops in Sri Lanka where they had to fight with one arm tied behind their backs. Sikh militancy went on till 1990 much to the glee of Pakistan, which was very strong then. Under Zia Pakistan had the backing of the US and was fighting the Soviet empire which was dying.

It is easy to blabber that India should have does this and done that in the absence of all information about how Indian leaders were cocking things up in India at that time. It was at this time that the joke goes that Sonia Gandhi asked Rajiv for a divorce and he asked "Why" and she replied "because you are doing to the country what you should be doing to me"
Going into Sri Lanka didn't gain us anything. Both LTTE & Lankans crossed us. And Sri Lanka is not even a main threat. Rather than sending Army to Sri Lanka, wouldn't it have been a good idea to collaborate with USSR to sandwich Pakjab? In 1980s, India actually was fighting a full-fledged insurgency in Punjab right on the borders of Pakistan. Rather than doing a defensive move like trying to fight an insurgency, India should have opened a full-fledged front against Pakistan and asked USSR to come from the other side. Operation Brasstacks was conducted in 1986. It should have been taken to its logical conclusion. I think 1980-1990 period was the best time to finish off Pakistan. By now, we would have gotten over all the side-effects.
.
Having USSR as neighbors is a greater threat! It was imperative for India that USSR didnt have a presence in South Asia. We should have dealt with Pakistan, but thats another matter
johneeG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3473
Joined: 01 Jun 2009 12:47

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by johneeG »

Josh wrote: Having USSR as neighbors is a greater threat! It was imperative for India that USSR didnt have a presence in South Asia. We should have dealt with Pakistan, but thats another matter
I disagree. USSR would have withdrawn from Asthan sooner than later. And if Pakistan didn't exist, then India's influence would have extended upto Asthan. USSR was already stretched thin and was on the verge of implosion. Occupying Asthan stretched them too thin.
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Philip »

What a profound revelation! With Britain ready to sell its arms to any Arab in a robe riding a camel,what else do you expect?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 64096.html
Isis terrorists in Iraq and Syria 'may be using weapons exported to the Middle East by the UK'
Assault weapons sent from Britain to Iraq in the wake of 2003 invasion may have ended up in Isis's hands
Assault weapons and small arms sent from Britain to Iraq in the wake of the 2003 invasion may have ended up in the hands of Isis AFP

Isis terrorists operating in Iraq and Syria may be using weapons exported to the Middle East by the UK, according to a new report.


Assault weapons and small arms sent from Britain to Iraq in the wake of the 2003 invasion may have ended up in the hands of the militant Islamic group, the research carried out by human rights organisation Amnesty International says.
Read more
Why the US can't send in ground troops to defeat Isis

Drawing on expert analysis of thousands of videos and images, the report concludes that IS fighters have access to a “substantial arsenal” of arms and ammunition designed or manufactured in more than 25 countries. Their weapons include US military issue M16 rifles, Austrian and Russian sniper rifles and Chinese and Belgian machine guns, it says.

Many of the weapons acquired by IS are likely to have been given to Iraqi security forces by various western countries between 2003 and 2007, the report claims, before falling into the terrorists’ hands after they captured Iraqi military compounds.

Highlighting the UK’s role in the supply of guns, it says that “a variety of small arms and light weapons” were exported from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia to the UK in 2005 and 2006, before being “re-exported” to Iraq. Some 20,000 Chinese assault weapons were also shipped to Iraq from the UK in early 2007, and many of the guns later “went astray”.

“Decades of free-flowing arms into Iraq meant that when IS took control of these areas, they were like children in a sweetshop. The fact that countries including the UK have ended up inadvertently arming IS should give us pause over current weapons deals,” said Oliver Sprague, Amnesty UK’s arms programme director.


“Risks need to be far more carefully calculated, and we shouldn’t wait for this worst case scenario to happen before acting to prevent sales of arms which could fuel atrocities.”
Read more

Complicated Syrian battlefield increases chances of errant air strikes
Isis is stealing fighters from the Taliban in Afghanistan
Obama’s pep talk fails to inspire America in fight against terrorism
As a Syrian, I know there's only one way to defeat Isis

While many of the weapons used by IS are relatively modern, most of the guns at the terrorists’ disposal were manufactured at least a quarter of a century ago, the report says. The oldest piece of kit in their arsenal is believed to be a British 1914 Enfield Pattern bolt-action rifle, which may have been used in the First World War.

A Government spokeswoman said: “The Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. Daesh’s operations in Syria and Iraq have unfolded against the backdrop of a permissive security environment in which a wide variety of arms and vehicles have flowed for decades. Daesh primarily procures weaponry by looting equipment from its opponents, and also benefits from local and regional black markets. Further capture of state military equipment by Daesh remains a possibility, until we can carry out the action to deny them space and safe haven.”
TSJones
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3022
Joined: 14 Oct 1999 11:31

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by TSJones »

US DoD claims kills on senior terrorist operatives........

http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-Vie ... operatives

DoD denies hitting Syrian positions:
U.S. Strikes Did Not Hit Syrian Army

This morning, Pentagon Press Operations Director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters the airstrikes this weekend in Syria’s Darazor province that hit a Syrian army position did not result from U.S. operations.

“We did conduct four strikes in Darazor yesterday,” he said, and added the U.S. strikes were all against oil-well heads. These strikes, Davis added, were about 55 kilometers away from the strike where the Syrian army was reported to be.

The U.S. airstrikes did not hit vehicles nor personnel, Davis said.

“We have no reason to indicate any Syrian soldiers were anywhere near the area where we struck,” Davis emphasized.

“We maintain exacting procedures and strict protocols to be precise in our strikes, and we take significant steps during targeting processes to prevent collateral damage,” he said.

“As you know, we’ve not had any reason to target [Syrian President Bashar Assad’s] regime or the Syrian army, Davis said. “We’re at war only with ISIL.”
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Singha »

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai 18h18 hours ago
800 tons of oranges and lemon leaving #Latakia today to #Russia, replacing #Turkey usual vegetable and fruits supply after sanctions.
Bhurishrava
BRFite
Posts: 477
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by Bhurishrava »

Sorry for this very late post on the subject. But perhaps some people remember the Rambos of Division 30. The fellows trained by $500 million CIA programme.
The ones who were stripped to their undies and paraded in north Syria by Jabhat al Nusra.

Seems Nusra was tipped off by ---hear hear -- NATO ally Turkey.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation- ... 06167.html
Syrian rebels: Turkey tipped al Qaida group to U.S.-trained fighters.
One official from southern Turkey said the arrival plans for the graduates of the so-called train-and-equip program were leaked to Nusra in hopes the rapid disintegration of the program would push the Americans into expanding the training and arming of rebel groups focused on toppling the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
“I have to live here in Turkey and have been targeted for kidnapping or assassination twice in the last month,” he said. “But we know someone aligned with Nusra informed them of our presence. They were taken within 10 minutes.”
chetak
BRF Oldie
Posts: 32278
Joined: 16 May 2008 12:00

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by chetak »

Satya_anveshi wrote:I don't know whether this is due to my prayers being heard by Buddha and speaking thru this chirkut or uncle sam speaking.

If latter my suggestion is this chirkut should go to Raqqa and tell this to ISIS, they will be happy to have a dialog with him over nice cup of green tea. Oh...they will save a saffron color dress which they will make their victims wear prior to hallaling.

Dalai Lama: Dialogue with ISIS vital, there is no other way - Dec 08, 2015
http://aranews.net/2015/12/16802/
“Yes, we are of course looking at building a relationship (with ISIS). We have a very clear humanitarian vision. First, what we see is 10 million people. Ten million people under the control of the Islamic State group. We are interested in these 10 million people. What happens to them? What are their problems? This is what will guide us,”

I agree with you. This geezer has outlived his usefulness to the tibetan cause and is now pissing inside our tent.

another sprouting case of "legend in his own mind" syndrome and we should ask him go to raqqa ASAP.

is there a giant sign painted somewhere in India that says piss on us?? :twisted:
UlanBatori
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14045
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by UlanBatori »

Y do u feel takleef at the DL opening His Holy Mouth? Isn't he expressing the same policy vision as GOI? AFAIK, GOI has no quarrel with ISIS. Bissfool dialogue with chai-biscoot is Indian Way.
habal
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6919
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 18:46

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by habal »

TSJones wrote: DoD denies hitting Syrian positions:
U.S. Strikes Did Not Hit Syrian Army

This morning, Pentagon Press Operations Director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters the airstrikes this weekend in Syria’s Darazor province that hit a Syrian army position did not result from U.S. operations.
damn !

them evil US allies are at it again. damn !!!
habal
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6919
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 18:46

Re: The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Post by habal »

Bhurishrava wrote:Sorry for this very late post on the subject. But perhaps some people remember the Rambos of Division 30. The fellows trained by $500 million CIA programme.
The ones who were stripped to their undies and paraded in north Syria by Jabhat al Nusra.

Seems Nusra was tipped off by ---hear hear -- NATO ally Turkey.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation- ... 06167.html
Syrian rebels: Turkey tipped al Qaida group to U.S.-trained fighters.
One official from southern Turkey said the arrival plans for the graduates of the so-called train-and-equip program were leaked to Nusra in hopes the rapid disintegration of the program would push the Americans into expanding the training and arming of rebel groups focused on toppling the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
“I have to live here in Turkey and have been targeted for kidnapping or assassination twice in the last month,” he said. “But we know someone aligned with Nusra informed them of our presence. They were taken within 10 minutes.”
well, that's not all ..

new force under caliph al-bagdaddyTurdogan
all hail new caliph ..
Reports that 800 Saudi soldiers just arrived at the Turkish base in northern Iraq. Erdogan, Barzani and Salman are creating their Sunni Army under the guise of defeating ISIS when in actuality the militia is founded on the same ideas. They will recruit from all over the Sunni world and will take their orders from Caliph Erdogan. Their main objective will be to defeat the resistance axis. Dangerous times ahead.
Post Reply