So true these days...
First They Came for the Experts: Anti-intellectual demagogues posing as populists threaten democracy.
http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/07/07/...orning%20Brief
Aleppo: 2 @SyriaCivilDef heroes were killed by #Russia|n airstrikes in #Aleppo City today.
Latakia: #Assad's "elite" forces "Desert Hawkes" arrived in #Latakia. What a bunch of losers. Pure cannon fodder.
Latakia: "Desert Hawks" is the #Assad regime unit that was crushed by #ISIS in #Raqqa Province last month.
I am posting this article for the simple reason the writer is being shopped as the coming DoD SecDef under Clinton....I had met here the first time in the deserts of the National Training Center Fort Irwin during the training of a BCT being deployed to Iraq in 2007....one really sharp thinking and speaking woman who knows her business.....and someone who has an very solid opinion of Russian military and Putin.....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opini...275_story.html
A four-point strategy for defeating the Islamic State
By Michle Flournoy and Ilan Goldenberg July 8 at 8:18 PM
Michle Flournoy is chief executive and founder of the Center for a New American Security. Ilan Goldenberg directs the centers Middle East security program.
Only concern is that the fighting on the ground is far faster than DC can think and we are long past some of these points and JaN is increasing in strength and popularity among the Syrians themselves because they are fighting aainst Assad, Iran and Putin......There are two theaters in the conflict with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and they are not defined by international borders. The first is ISIS-stan in western Iraq and eastern Syria. Here the U.S.-led coalition is making progress and has rolled back significant portions of the territory held by the terrorist group. But the gains have come from predominantly Kurdish and Shiite forces, and there are limits to how far these groups can advance into Sunni heartland areas and be accepted by local populations. Rolling back the Islamic State is not enough to sustain these gains, we must focus on the security forces and governance mechanisms that will replace them.
The second theater lies farther west, where Syria is embroiled in a horrendous civil war. The United States has assumed that this problem is not as important and has heretofore avoided involvement except for pursuing diplomatic negotiations. Thats a mistake. In Syria and Iraq, the challenge of countering the Islamic State is bound up in the broader civil wars that have created governance and security vacuums and allowed the group to thrive. These vacuums are the disease; the Islamic State is the most serious of many problematic symptoms.
We propose a strategy that applies a consistent, long-term approach to Iraq and Syria, based on four interlocking efforts.
First, the United States should increase its support to those local armed groups that are acceptable to U.S. interests, whether they are fighting Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad or the Islamic State. There is no central authority in Syria or Iraq that can seize, hold and govern all of the territories held by the Islamic State or the al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra. Supporting more moderate local forces is the only way to secure these areas.
When we have used this approach in the past, it has brought success, from the Sunni Awakening during the surge in Iraq to recent advances by Kurdish and Sunni forces in northeast Syria. The groups we work with must be acceptable to local populations, which means supporting different groups in different areas, building security from the bottom up. In providing support to these groups, the United States must take steps to ensure that any weapons we provide them do not fall into the wrong hands.
Second, we must increase our overall military support. This should include expanding strikes and raids to take out Islamic State leaders and gain intelligence that stops terrorist attacks outside Islamic State territory. We should embed more U.S. combat advisers with local partners and provide our partners with support enabling them to do more, such as greater direct U.S. and coalition support from the air while they conduct attacks on the ground and air transport to move people and equipment quickly on the battlefield.
We should also explore whether there are viable limited military options using missiles and other long-range weapons from greater distances that will deter the Assad regime and its Russian patrons from bombing civilians and moderate opposition groups without leading to a major military escalation. Importantly, U.S. troops should not seize and hold territory or engage in large-scale ground combat operations. That must be done by local forces.
Third, we must do more to get important external actors on board. In the near term, the greater U.S. commitment we propose will appeal to key partners, especially Turkey and Saudi Arabia; we can use an increased commitment as leverage to get better cooperation on whom they arm and how we can together control the borders. Over time, this increased U.S. investment should also expand our leverage with Russia and Iran. They will not surrender their core interests, but greater U.S. involvement should open more space for a negotiated outcome.
Finally, we should focus on governance and politics by providing support to local municipal structures that can provide services and outgovern the extremists. And in time, as more acceptable groups gain influence and territory and as external actors become more pliable, the international community may be able to bring these conflicts to an end through negotiated outcomes that are based on keeping Syria and Iraq whole, but with highly decentralized governance models.
At this point, there are no good or easy options, only better and worse ones. To reduce and, eventually, eliminate the ability of the Islamic State to carry out attacks against the United States and its allies, the U.S.-led coalition will have to destroy the proto-state in Iraq and Syria and something too often overlooked ensure that it is replaced with an acceptable and sustainable alternative. We believe our approach can be executed at a cost commensurate with our national interests and, most important, can keep the American people safe.
Aleppo: #Syria|n rebels have killed a high ranking #Iran|ian #IRGC officer and a #Hezbollah field commander at #Mallah frontline today.
Assad regime artillery attacks on #Douma near #Damascus killed & wounded many civ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqOyI7mbVHw
More #RUS war crimes.
Air strike on @SyriaCivilDef 1st responders in #KafrHamra shortly ago. 2 KIAs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyW--0mMGp0
Russia's terrorism is only the 2nd worst.
Worst is #EU/#US silence and inaction on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHhVWIt3QdE …
BREAKINGFOOTAGE
#ALEPPO CITY A SHORT WHILE AGO.
#RUSSIA AIR FORCE JET DROPS CLUSTER BOMBS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcbJ1G7N9qQ …
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 07-10-2016 at 06:42 AM.
Sorry, nope.Originally Posted by OUTLAW 09
As can be seen on the video below, the helicopter in question was a Russian Mi-35N: this variant cannot retract its undercarriage, and has short, 'stubby' winglets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgzjMMPDQD0
What the video shows appears to be two hits into the cabin, and the third - decisive - one, hitting the tail rotor. Most likely, the Daesh used a calibre 57mm S-60 flak (of Soviet origin), which they love to install on trucks. This weapon proved lethal against all sorts of helicopters during earlier wars, especially in Vietnam and Iran-Iraq Wars.
All of which means: the Keystone Cops in Moscow (see: 'MOD') are lying.
No Russians are flying any kind of Syrian aircraft or helicopters. Instead, the Keystone Cops are lying to hide their own losses; they're lying when they describe the helicopter as being underway on some sort of test-flight; they're lying when they say it was shot down by a 'US-made TOW missile' too.
Report from Mallah farm battle in northern #Aleppo several hours ago
https://youtu.be/ZKNJ0BsJvhw
Damascus countryside
Clashes between rebels and regime forces , around milk-man factory ,in AlderKhiba , west Ghouta.
Nursra front declare the control of strategic points on #Almallah farms,
#Aleppo
Video of IS shot down of Russian piloted Syrian attack copter.....
Daesh militants shot down a Russian helicopter E of #Palmyra, killing 2 Russians
https://youtu.be/LxkfCdoU_90
Watch the #Putin helicopter that wasn't downed, never, ever, according to Ruski MOD..
by #manpads destroying tail
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 07-10-2016 at 08:16 AM.
Nusra sends a third car bomb against Regime forces on the #Castello Mosque block as intense fighting in the area continues.
Rebels declare that North hill of #Almallah under their control , #Aleppo countryside
Heavy Clashes in Alkhaldia neighbourhood, while regime trying to advance.
#Aleppo city.
Attack fully repelled by Rebels.
At dawn assadist try the same bombardment from 2 days ago to try & gain back loses in Jabal Akrad #Lattakia
Jaysh Fatah units, #Nusra alongside #Aleppo groups liberates again some positions in Bani Zaid that were lost + Mallah hillside perimeter.
CrowBat...thanks for the update.....
Hezbollah cmdr Samir Awada
Born in S. Lebanon
Dead in #Aleppo
Cause of death: tried 2 go to Jerusalem
via @el_sarkis
Funny how despite Russian and Iranian backing, the regime celebrates over a farm or hill captures as if it was the liberation of Jerusalem++
Regime T-55 shelling #Kinsabba from Ara hill (possibly destroyed by Ahrar Al-Sham), #Latakia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ciuVzN5bjs
Must watch: Zinki assault on #Mallah with T-72 & BMP amidst intense shelling & airstrikes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV1Vm5dPqp0
Heavy clashes & bombing ongoing on several axis of #Latakia front, especially in Shalif area (where pro-Assad made breakthrough 2 days ago).
Yesterday's Rebel counter-offensive on #Mallah front, despite initial gains, didn't manage to fully secure Castillo Road.
Faylaq Al-Sham took out a firing 23 mm gun on #Mallah front with an #ATGM, N. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nikd_4FokfQ
Russia's Su-35 bombing #Aleppo city today, making sure it stays besieged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q6S8wD3dkI
The #FSA fights pro-#Assad ground forces north of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H__kRdGcvBU
Exclusive: Iran sought chemical and biological weapons technology in Germany http://goo.gl/qpTSz8
MORE Russian troops killed.....
Palmyra: #ISIS killed 43+ pro-#Assad forces, including 3 #Russia|n soldiers, east of #Palmyra since the morning.
SDF is trying OPSEC in their operations since they are not making any headway with IS.....
MANBIJ: At the request of SDF, we will suspend reporting on Manbij until 1700EDT on 10 JUL.
24yr old Lt Dolgin, KIA in Russian Mi-35 shot down
http://m.kp.ru/daily/26553.5/3569522/ …
Houla, #Rastan and 3 villages were attacked by what Qasioun News Agency & activists call "Russian" jets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuJqVlizth8 …
Extremely graphic!
Children died due to "Russian air strikes" on free #Homs province today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHhBVW8Mf0E …
Video: Moment notorious PKK leader Fehman Hόseyin killed by Tel Hamis in Syria's Qamishli
http://sabahdai.ly/5qQoST
Iran says Saudis back terrorism after senior prince attends rebel rally
http://reut.rs/29x4FEg
Regime/Russia strategy to besiege & starve Rebel-held #Aleppo (~200,000 ppl) already producing first food shortages http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/w...article/469602 …?
BREAKING and URGENT: 2 strike corps of SAA Armour with around 80 Tanks seen moving from Sheikh Najjar towards Nubl and Zahraa.
It would mean pro-Regime forces will try to seize Anadan-Kafr Hamra to secure #Mallah & definitively besiege #Aleppo
What the heck is this?????
Muqtada al - Sadr accuses Iran of sending suicide bombers to Iraq
The moment of Assad/Russian airstrike on north Aleppo
https://youtu.be/XlFrNqso3wQ
Report from north Aleppo front today. Seems one of VBIEDs detonated deep inside enemy lines.
https://youtu.be/PPWkc4Y-de0
Rebels destroy Assad army heavy machine gun north Aleppo with ATGM.
https://youtu.be/W7UmUTsqaGM
Rebels destroy Assad army heavy machine gun with mortar north Aleppo
https://youtu.be/Ks1TCLO__O8
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 07-10-2016 at 01:49 PM.
Latakia: #Syria|n rebels killed #Assad regime war criminal Wadi'i Al Weza in Northern #Latakia.
DeirEzzor: #Assad warplane bombed & killed a group of pro-#Assad forces at #DeirEzzor Artillery Brigade's Base by mistake today.
The stubborn resistance in Aleppo despite nonstop artillery fire, cluster & even thermobaric bombs sucking air from lungs is amazing.
Ahrar Al-Sham takes out with a #Konkurs a tank in Jebal Al-Akrad, N. #Latakia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2Vqov1xUnI …
Assad choppers dropped 6 barrel bombs on #Syria's #Daraya followed by artillery & missiles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV3_zIhCToc …
Iran|ian fighter screaming sectarian slogans against Sunnis north of #Aleppo City.
ISIS with 2 killed #YPG militias in #Manbij. #Aleppo
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 07-10-2016 at 07:16 PM.
Russian Syrian Express is on the move again....
Russian Navy's Ropucha Class BDK Yamal 156 southbound on the Bosphorus towards Syria.
Syria #Russia'n airstrike on Abyan town 35km west of #Aleppo (far away from all frontlines) killed lots of people
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcxbq6V8wE8
Southern #FSA continues battle against #IslamicState in western #Daraa province
https://youtu.be/R40QP4Y67CA
FSA Ahmed Alabdo forces stormed #IS hold farm area at #Damascus - #Iraq/Bagdad road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pw4Zt65zGA
Municipal Building heavily shelled by Rebels in new offensive on #Aleppo city center.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36....146513&z=16&m
https://mobile.twitter.com/aboalaith...601089/video/1
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