The Russian threat to Turkey?
Crowbat,
A quick note. The original, online story by Robert Parry was published on the 18th February 2016 and the relevant passage is:
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A source close to Russian President Vladimir Putin told me that the Russians have warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Moscow is prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons if necessary to save their troops in the face of a Turkish-Saudi onslaught. Since Turkey is a member of NATO, any such conflict could quickly escalate into a full-scale nuclear confrontation.
The author's very slim byline at the end says:
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Investigative reporter Robert Parry broke many of the Iran-Contra stories for The Associated Press and Newsweek in the 1980s.
Link:https://consortiumnews.com/2016/02/1...-for-al-qaeda/
Now, isn't that a really interesting coincidence given the past of Duane Clarridge?;)
The long article touches upon many aspects of the Syrian civil war and USG policy. Needless to say the author is a critic of President Obama.
So one whispered 'source close to Russian President Vladimir Putin told me' and the media circus spins. Makes you wonder, well it does here.:confused:
Will Pakistan draw closer to Saudi Arabia to balance Iran?
A timely article, hat tip to WoTR, on this developing relationship and the author's very slim bio:
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Sameer Lalwani is Deputy Director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center. Previously, he was a Stanton Nuclear Security Postdoctoral Fellow at the RAND Corporation.
Link:http://warontherocks.com/2016/02/wil...-balance-iran/
I found it odd no mention is made of the widespread opposition in Pakistan, including in parliament, to joining the anti-Houthi coalition led by KSA, in late 2015.
KSA needs the West and the West needs KSA
I do wonder about The Daily Telegraph sometimes, it has some excellent columnists, but when I read Con Coughlin I often end up spluttering.:eek:
Here is his latest entitled:
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Lessons the West must learn from the Gulf War, 25 years on
It starts with:
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At a time when Western politicians are struggling to devise a coherent strategy to defeat the fanatics of Islamic State (Isil), the 25th anniversary of the First Gulf War... is a timely reminder of what can be achieved when the West forms an effective partnership with its Arab allies.
(It ends with) If the West is serious about finding effective regional partners to help defeat Isil, why not form a new coalition with the Saudis and their allies? If it worked so well in 1991, then why not now?
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...-years-on.html
At least he does not advocate entering into an alliance with another ally in 1991, the Syrian official regime.
Then for reasons lost on me, the Saudi Ambassador in London, has a column too and what a title:
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Saudi Arabia is bombing in Yemen to bring peace and stability
Referring to a recent critical UN report he writes:
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And it should also be noted that the UN Report itself is based solely on satellite imagery and eyewitness testimony, which have proven to be highly unreliable in the past.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...stability.html
Why the Saudis are going solar
In an article in the Atlantic I was reading the other day, a crazy statistic caught my eye:
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The Saudis burn about a quarter of the oil they produce—and their domestic consumption has been rising at an alarming 7 percent a year, nearly three times the rate of population growth. According to a widely read December 2011 report by Chatham House, a British think tank, if this trend continues, domestic consumption could eat into Saudi oil exports by 2021 and render the kingdom a net oil importer by 2038.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...energy/395315/
Saudi Arabia goes to war: an Israeli analyst's view
Via the Australian website of the Lowy Institute, a short pithy article by a ret'd Israeli Air Force officer:http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/...s-to-war.aspx?
A few passages:
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Tanks, combat aircraft and missiles are only as powerful as the people operating, maintaining and supporting them. And in this domain, Saudi Arabia has a very long way to go. Not much is known about the proficiency of Saudi Arabia's military as a fighting force. The only real war the Saudis have taken part in was Operation Desert Storm in 1991; and most of the fighting there was done by the US. More recently Saudi Arabia has been fighting in Yemen, but unsuccessfully so far. Foreign advisers speak about the difficulties in bringing Saudi Arabian soldiers to the desired combat readiness and proficiency.
(Concluding passage) Let me finish with a comment on 'Northern Thunder'. Exercises as large as 'Northern Thunder' take a very long time to plan and coordinate, and it also takes many months to gather the units together in one place. Yet, 'Northern Thunder' appeared in the media out of nowhere. (and nothing is known about it since it was announced). Where do you hide 350,000 troops? Are they really there?
The author never heard of Yemen Wars: alas all too true
Cited in part:
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Originally Posted by
CrowBat
"The only real war the Saudis have taken part in was Operation Desert Storm in 1991..."
Sounds like the author never heard of Yemen Wars...
I agree, but somehow I expect very few people who were involved in the decision-making, let alone actual "boots on the ground" are now involved, let alone being listened to. Something in my memory tells me Egypt came to regard their "brotherly" intervention as their own Vietnam. The KSA did commit some troops, but it was mainly gold they contributed.
As Wiki reminded me this war was from 1962-1970. See:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Yemen_Civil_War
Just found via Google a 21 pg paper:http://www.alexthorn.com/writings/Th...ptsVietnam.pdf
Once again your example reminds us that history has a habit of fading away, only to return and "bite" hard. Those who remind the decision-makers are all too often seen as "troublesome"; which seems to account for much of SWJ's infamy.;)