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Regional geopolitics

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  • Re: Regional geopolitics

    Syria crisis: Nato concerned by Russia 'military build-up'
    BBC

    The US and Nato have expressed concern over reports that Russia is increasing its military presence in Syria.
    Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said if confirmed, Russia's involvement would not help to solve the conflict.
    Separately on Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry "reiterated" his concerns to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the phone.
    Russia, a key ally of Syria during its four-year civil war, says it has sent military experts but that is all.
    Correspondents say that without Moscow's backing, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have fallen by now.

    'No secret'

    Unnamed US officials quoted by Reuters say Moscow has sent additional aircraft and two tank landing ships to Russia's naval base in the Syrian coastal city of Tartus, within the past day or so. They also say a small number of naval infantry forces have been deployed.
    But a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman insisted on Wednesday that this was nothing new, arguing that Moscow had been openly supplying weapons and sending military specialists to Syria for a long time.
    "Russia has never made a secret of its military-technical cooperation with Syria,'' Maria Zakharova said. Syria, for its part, has denied any military build up by Russian troops on its soil.


    Syria has been in conflict for more than four years, killing at least 240,000 people
    Unnamed Lebanese officials have also told Reuters that Russian soldiers are already taking part in the fighting on the ground.
    Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Iran told Russian media that Moscow had been granted permission to fly planes over Iranian territory en route to Syria, but Iran has yet to confirm this. It follows Bulgaria's refusal to allow an unspecified number of Russian aircraft to cross over its air space.
    John Kerry warned Mr Lavrov on Wednesday that if the reports were found to be true, "it could lead to greater violence". The German and French foreign ministers have also warned against a further military escalation.
    The US is currently engaged in its own military air campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants in both Syria and Iraq.
    US officials say Russia may be providing President Assad with greater military support because this year he has sustained substantial territorial losses, as IS militants have come to be seen as the bigger threat.
    The latest developments follow reports of further setbacks for Syrian government forces, which on Wednesday lost control of a key air base in Idlib - one of the final regime position's in the north-eastern province.
    Russia and the US disagree sharply on Syria. While Russia has backed the Syrian government, and provided it with arms, the US wants to see the removal of President Assad.
    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been at war with various rebel groups since 2011, in a conflict that has so far killed at least 240,000 people.

    Comment


    • Re: Regional geopolitics

      Russia eludes US ban on NATO airspace by roundabout route to Syria via Iraq and Iran
      DEBKA


      Moscow has opened a new roundabout route for its ongoing military airlift from Sevastopol in Crimea and other bases in southern Russia to the Syrian Mezze Airbase in Damascus, DEBKAfile’s exclusive military and intelligence sources disclose.
      This route runs over the Caspian Sea and northern Iran and Iraq and terminates with deliveries at Damascus and the new Russian air and ground base at Jablah, near the Syrian port of Latakia.
      The Russians have in this way circumvented the strong US applications to Turkey, Greek, Bulgaria and Cyprus, to close their airspace to Russian shipments for its military buildup in Syria.
      Washington’s actions had two results – one less and the other more desirable.
      1. Tehran and Baghdad have both been pulled into directly supporting the Russian military interventkion in Syria, after Iraq was bullied by Iran to turn down the US request to close its northern skies to Russian shipments.
      Washington refrained from addressing this request to Iran, in keeping with its policy of avoiding strains on relations until the nuclear deal was endorsed in Washington and Tehran.
      As a result, heavy Russian transports are flying over parts of Iraq where US forces, including ground intelligence teams for guiding US air strikes against ISIS, are deployed. This makes accidental collisions in the sky a real danger. The Americans have therefore slowed down their aerial war on ISIS.
      2. The need for a roundabout air route to Syria has substantially raised the cost of the Russian military expedition. A direct flight over the Mediterranean spans 1,025 km, which the Russian AN-124 (Condor) can cover in two hours. The long way round is three times as long – more than 2,900 km – and takes six hours.
      Washington’s challenge to Moscow over air routes to Syria is their first military confrontation over Syria and the new Russian military buildup.
      White House spokesman Josh Earnest warned Tuesday night, Sept. 8: “The Russian military buildup would risk confrontation with the counter-ISIL coalition that included the United States.”
      He was repeating a similar warning issued a few days ago by Secretary of State John Kerry.
      Explicit American threats of a military showdown with Russia over the Middle East is the sort of language not heard for four decades since the 1973 Yom Kippur War which Israel fought against Egypt and Syria.

      Comment


      • Re: Regional geopolitics

        EX-MINISTER: US HELPING ISIL IN IRAQ

        Wed Sep 09, 2015 3:14

        TEHRAN (FNA)- Former Iraqi Transport Minister Salam al-Maliki
        underlined that Washington is on the same side with the ISIL, and urged
        his country's popular forces to expedite uprooting the terrorists in
        Al-Anbar province.

        "There are compelling evidence which prove that the US has supplied the
        ISIL with weapons and intelligence," Al-Maliki told FNA on Wednesday.

        He noted that the recent statements of the US officials indicate that
        they are willing to prolong the battle for winning back Anbar province.

        Al-Maliki, however, said that the Iraqi forces are preparing for
        fresh operations in Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar province.

        Last month, a senior Iraqi intelligence official revealed that the
        US helicopters drop weapons and other aids for the ISIL terrorists
        in the Western province of al-Anbar.

        "The fighters present at the forefront of fighting against the ISIL
        always see US helicopters flying over the ISIL-controlled areas and
        dropping weapons and urgent aids for them," the official who called
        for anonymity told FNA.

        Yet, he said the helicopters could have also been sent from Turkey
        or Israel.

        He added that in addition to dropping aids, the helicopters transfer
        the ISIL ringleaders and wounded members from the battleground
        to some hospitals in Syria or other countries which support the
        terrorist group.

        The official cautioned that such assistance further prolongs the
        conflicts in Anbar, adding that when the Iraqi army and popular
        forces purge the terrorists from Anbar province, the US helicopters
        will transfer the ISIL ringleaders to other regions to prevent the
        Iraqi forces' access to ISIL secrets.

        Scores of Iraqi soldiers were killed by the ISIL in two deadly ambushes
        in Anbar province on Friday.

        The restive region has long been a flashpoint of fighting, where the
        terrorists are largely in control.

        Forces stationed in the province continue to be on alert, and were
        instructed in a visit by Defense Minister Khalid al-Obaidi to proceed
        with "caution and precision," so as to avoid "unjustified losses."

        In a relevant development in March, a group of Iraqi popular forces
        known as Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi shot down the US Army helicopter that
        was carrying weapons for the ISIL in the Western parts of Al-Baqdadi
        region in Al-Anbar province.

        Also in February, a senior lawmaker disclosed that Iraq's army had
        shot down two British planes as they were carrying weapons for the
        ISIL terrorists in Al-Anbar province.

        "The Iraqi Parliament's National Security and Defense Committee has
        access to the photos of both planes that are British and have crashed
        while they were carrying weapons for the ISIL," al-Zameli said.

        Hayastan or Bust.

        Comment


        • Re: Regional geopolitics

          Originally posted by Haykakan View Post
          EX-MINISTER: US HELPING ISIL IN IRAQ

          Wed Sep 09, 2015 3:14

          TEHRAN (FNA)- Former Iraqi Transport Minister Salam al-Maliki
          underlined that Washington is on the same side with the ISIL, and urged
          his country's popular forces to expedite uprooting the terrorists in
          Al-Anbar province.

          "There are compelling evidence which prove that the US has supplied the
          ISIL with weapons and intelligence," Al-Maliki told FNA on Wednesday.

          He noted that the recent statements of the US officials indicate that
          they are willing to prolong the battle for winning back Anbar province.

          Al-Maliki, however, said that the Iraqi forces are preparing for
          fresh operations in Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar province.

          Last month, a senior Iraqi intelligence official revealed that the
          US helicopters drop weapons and other aids for the ISIL terrorists
          in the Western province of al-Anbar.

          "The fighters present at the forefront of fighting against the ISIL
          always see US helicopters flying over the ISIL-controlled areas and
          dropping weapons and urgent aids for them," the official who called
          for anonymity told FNA.

          Yet, he said the helicopters could have also been sent from Turkey
          or Israel.

          He added that in addition to dropping aids, the helicopters transfer
          the ISIL ringleaders and wounded members from the battleground
          to some hospitals in Syria or other countries which support the
          terrorist group.

          The official cautioned that such assistance further prolongs the
          conflicts in Anbar, adding that when the Iraqi army and popular
          forces purge the terrorists from Anbar province, the US helicopters
          will transfer the ISIL ringleaders to other regions to prevent the
          Iraqi forces' access to ISIL secrets.

          Scores of Iraqi soldiers were killed by the ISIL in two deadly ambushes
          in Anbar province on Friday.

          The restive region has long been a flashpoint of fighting, where the
          terrorists are largely in control.

          Forces stationed in the province continue to be on alert, and were
          instructed in a visit by Defense Minister Khalid al-Obaidi to proceed
          with "caution and precision," so as to avoid "unjustified losses."

          In a relevant development in March, a group of Iraqi popular forces
          known as Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi shot down the US Army helicopter that
          was carrying weapons for the ISIL in the Western parts of Al-Baqdadi
          region in Al-Anbar province.

          Also in February, a senior lawmaker disclosed that Iraq's army had
          shot down two British planes as they were carrying weapons for the
          ISIL terrorists in Al-Anbar province.

          "The Iraqi Parliament's National Security and Defense Committee has
          access to the photos of both planes that are British and have crashed
          while they were carrying weapons for the ISIL," al-Zameli said.

          http://english.farsnews.com/newstext...13940618000393

          If this is true... And I am starting to think so, because of so many sources and credible ones, then US and its allies are directly responsible for massacres, genocide, of so many ethnic groups and countries, carried out by their protégées, ISIL and al caeda.
          This is something that I cannot stop thinking of parallels between now and our genocide and European involvement there.
          The irony is that many and whole nations are controlled by propaganda into looking to Russia, Iran and others for danger, while the real evil lies in Europe and U.S.
          How can the world be so stupified?
          This evil from Europe that has brought so much suffering for past 100 years or more.
          Colonization, two world wars, genocide and concentration camps, racial discrimination and cleanups. Distraction of nations and their countries and subjugation of their history.
          Still, all eyes are on Europe as something good, but that good does not exist.
          Most of people does not realize that what's coming from Europe is the distraction of nations, family values and morals.
          I don't know where to stop about this. It's deep.
          Last edited by Hakob; 09-10-2015, 06:48 AM.

          Comment


          • Re: Regional geopolitics

            Originally posted by Hakob View Post
            If this is true... And I am starting to think so, because of so many sources and credible ones, then US and its allies are directly responsible for massacres, genocide, of so many ethnic groups and countries, carried out by their protégées, ISIL and al caeda.
            This is something that I cannot stop thinking of parallels between now and our genocide and European involvement there.
            The irony is that many and whole nations are controlled by propaganda into looking to Russia, Iran and others for danger, while the real evil lies in Europe and U.S.
            How can the world be so stupified?
            This evil from Europe that has brought so much suffering for past 100 years or more.
            Colonization, two world wars, genocide and concentration camps, racial discrimination and cleanups. Distraction of nations and their countries and subjugation of their history.
            Still, all eyes are on Europe as something good, but that good does not exist.
            Most of people does not realize that what's coming from Europe is the distraction of nations, family values and morals.
            I don't know where to stop about this. It's deep.
            Color ?revolutions? including the accompanying of the street violence and the murders and atrocities that were part of it --- all --- have been paid for by USA/euro *** INSTIGTORS ***.
            In the fog created by this cancerous "west" is the opportunity for their tentacles to embed and wrap around the victim so that they can be manipulated.
            This group seeks control by CREATING chaos via murder and atrocity.
            Plausible deniability is the only public cover they have = propaganda.
            Propaganda ... Assad uses barrel bombs but no mention of the beheadings by those they supply with weapons, etc.
            No mention of the Christian churches and communities destroyed by those they support.
            This is European/USA that paints themselves as champions of justice & prosperity.
            If money is the only important thing then perhaps the European union has more to offer than the Eurasian union. But that group is a blatant pack of criminals.

            Comment


            • Re: Regional geopolitics

              Syria crisis: Nato concerned by Russia 'military build-up'
              9 September 2015
              BBC
              Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg echoes the concerns of US officials over reports that Russia is increasing its military presence in Syria.



              The US and Nato have expressed concern over reports that Russia is increasing its military presence in Syria.
              Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said if confirmed, Russia's involvement would not help to solve the conflict.
              Separately on Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry "reiterated" his concerns to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the phone.
              Russia, a key ally of Syria during its four-year civil war, says it has sent military experts but that is all.
              Correspondents say that without Moscow's backing, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have fallen by now.

              'No secret'

              Unnamed US officials quoted by Reuters say Moscow has sent additional aircraft and two tank landing ships to Russia's naval base in the Syrian coastal city of Tartus, within the past day or so. They also say a small number of naval infantry forces have been deployed.
              But a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman insisted on Wednesday that this was nothing new, arguing that Moscow had been openly supplying weapons and sending military specialists to Syria for a long time.

              "Russia has never made a secret of its military-technical cooperation with Syria,'' Maria Zakharova said. Syria, for its part, has denied any military build up by Russian troops on its soil.

              Syria has been in conflict for more than four years, killing at least 240,000 people

              Unnamed Lebanese officials have also told Reuters that Russian soldiers are already taking part in the fighting on the ground.
              Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Iran told Russian media that Moscow had been granted permission to fly planes over Iranian territory en route to Syria, but Iran has yet to confirm this. It follows Bulgaria's refusal to allow an unspecified number of Russian aircraft to cross over its air space.
              John Kerry warned Mr Lavrov on Wednesday that if the reports were found to be true, "it could lead to greater violence". The German and French foreign ministers have also warned against a further military escalation.

              The US is currently engaged in its own military air campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants in both Syria and Iraq.
              US officials say Russia may be providing President Assad with greater military support because this year he has sustained substantial territorial losses, as IS militants have come to be seen as the bigger threat.
              The latest developments follow reports of further setbacks for Syrian government forces, which on Wednesday lost control of a key air base in Idlib - one of the final regime position's in the north-eastern province.
              Russia and the US disagree sharply on Syria. While Russia has backed the Syrian government, and provided it with arms, the US wants to see the removal of President Assad.
              Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been at war with various rebel groups since 2011, in a conflict that has so far killed at least 240,000 people.

              Comment


              • Re: Regional geopolitics

                Originally posted by Vrej1915 View Post
                Syria crisis: Nato concerned by Russia 'military build-up'
                9 September 2015
                BBC
                Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg echoes the concerns of US officials over reports that Russia is increasing its military presence in Syria.



                The US and Nato have expressed concern over reports that Russia is increasing its military presence in Syria.
                Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said if confirmed, Russia's involvement would not help to solve the conflict.
                Separately on Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry "reiterated" his concerns to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the phone.
                Russia, a key ally of Syria during its four-year civil war, says it has sent military experts but that is all.
                Correspondents say that without Moscow's backing, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have fallen by now.

                'No secret'

                Unnamed US officials quoted by Reuters say Moscow has sent additional aircraft and two tank landing ships to Russia's naval base in the Syrian coastal city of Tartus, within the past day or so. They also say a small number of naval infantry forces have been deployed.
                But a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman insisted on Wednesday that this was nothing new, arguing that Moscow had been openly supplying weapons and sending military specialists to Syria for a long time.

                "Russia has never made a secret of its military-technical cooperation with Syria,'' Maria Zakharova said. Syria, for its part, has denied any military build up by Russian troops on its soil.

                Syria has been in conflict for more than four years, killing at least 240,000 people

                Unnamed Lebanese officials have also told Reuters that Russian soldiers are already taking part in the fighting on the ground.
                Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Iran told Russian media that Moscow had been granted permission to fly planes over Iranian territory en route to Syria, but Iran has yet to confirm this. It follows Bulgaria's refusal to allow an unspecified number of Russian aircraft to cross over its air space.
                John Kerry warned Mr Lavrov on Wednesday that if the reports were found to be true, "it could lead to greater violence". The German and French foreign ministers have also warned against a further military escalation.

                The US is currently engaged in its own military air campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants in both Syria and Iraq.
                US officials say Russia may be providing President Assad with greater military support because this year he has sustained substantial territorial losses, as IS militants have come to be seen as the bigger threat.
                The latest developments follow reports of further setbacks for Syrian government forces, which on Wednesday lost control of a key air base in Idlib - one of the final regime position's in the north-eastern province.
                Russia and the US disagree sharply on Syria. While Russia has backed the Syrian government, and provided it with arms, the US wants to see the removal of President Assad.
                Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been at war with various rebel groups since 2011, in a conflict that has so far killed at least 240,000 people.
                ----– Assad's regime has been at war with "varios" rebel groups since 2011. ------
                All those varios groups were funded and facilitated by the USA.
                240,000 lives lost in this contrived and fueled by USA conflict.
                USA is dealing fraudulently from the "get go".
                The multiplicity of the "west's" intentions = "only they" what's best, which = we say what's right or wrong as it suits us.
                USA/euro is actually fanning the fire of this ... 240,000 DEAD conflict.
                Not Russia.

                Comment


                • Re: Regional geopolitics

                  Originally posted by Hakob View Post
                  If this is true... And I am starting to think so, because of so many sources and credible ones, then US and its allies are directly responsible for massacres, genocide, of so many ethnic groups and countries, carried out by their protégées, ISIL and al caeda.
                  This is something that I cannot stop thinking of parallels between now and our genocide and European involvement there.
                  The irony is that many and whole nations are controlled by propaganda into looking to Russia, Iran and others for danger, while the real evil lies in Europe and U.S.
                  How can the world be so stupified?
                  This evil from Europe that has brought so much suffering for past 100 years or more.
                  Colonization, two world wars, genocide and concentration camps, racial discrimination and cleanups. Distraction of nations and their countries and subjugation of their history.
                  Still, all eyes are on Europe as something good, but that good does not exist.
                  Most of people does not realize that what's coming from Europe is the distraction of nations, family values and morals.
                  I don't know where to stop about this. It's deep.
                  The constant brainwashing is how its done. Slowly over time. Here we have the west supporting our own destruction yet AGAIN!!!! and people all over are blaming Russia...this and many other forums are full of blind people who refuse with every last bit of their willpower to see reality and continue to drink the western coolaid.
                  Hayastan or Bust.

                  Comment


                  • Re: Regional geopolitics

                    Is there an Abraham Lincoln in Armenia and Azerbaijan?

                    21:03, 10.09.2015
                    Region:World News, Armenia, Azerbaijan
                    Theme: Politics


                    The question is whether a courageous Abraham Lincoln in Armenia or Azerbaijan , the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair James Warlick of the United States wrote on his Twitter page.

                    “Abraham Lincoln brought us from war to reconciliation rising above politics and beginning a new chapter in our history. Is there a courageous Abraham Lincoln in Armenia or Azerbaijan who is prepared to bring peace and reconciliation? Are the people of the region ready to live side by side in peace, security, and prosperity?” he wrote.





                    Armenia News - NEWS.am







                    With all respect to Lincoln,
                    He ashered the civil war and then conducted it until total victory. Unless there is another parallel history that we don't know.
                    So when and how is he the peace maker? Ha?
                    Why is Walrick downgrading our leaders?
                    The only leader comparable to Lincoln in us is Monte.
                    Last edited by Hakob; 09-10-2015, 01:05 PM.

                    Comment


                    • Re: Regional geopolitics

                      Originally posted by Hakob View Post
                      Is there an Abraham Lincoln in Armenia and Azerbaijan?

                      21:03, 10.09.2015
                      Region:World News, Armenia, Azerbaijan
                      Theme: Politics


                      The question is whether a courageous Abraham Lincoln in Armenia or Azerbaijan , the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair James Warlick of the United States wrote on his Twitter page.

                      “Abraham Lincoln brought us from war to reconciliation rising above politics and beginning a new chapter in our history. Is there a courageous Abraham Lincoln in Armenia or Azerbaijan who is prepared to bring peace and reconciliation? Are the people of the region ready to live side by side in peace, security, and prosperity?” he wrote.





                      Armenia News - NEWS.am







                      With all respect to Lincoln,
                      He ashered the civil war and then conducted it until total victory. Unless there is another parallel history that we don't know.
                      So when and how is he the peace maker? Ha?
                      Why is Walrick downgrading our leaders?
                      The only leader comparable to Lincoln in us is Monte.
                      The comparison is irrelevant.

                      Comment

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