Just being reported on CNN ... Russia has suspended the deconfliction channel with the US. Putin must really be mad. I guess this is maneuvering in anticipation of Sec. Tillerson's upcoming Moscow visit. Things can quickly get out of hand without clear lines of comms between forces in the area.
Usa
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Things may be stirring in Mordor.
The Bannon demotion could just be the start of a housecleaning and the infusion of new blood in the Trump White House. If things pan out, the amateurs' ranks will be thinned out replaced by more politically adept and, hopefully, pragmatic operators.
https://www.axios.com/exclusive-tru...ff-house-leader-on-short-list-2349015716.html
The Bannon demotion could just be the start of a housecleaning and the infusion of new blood in the Trump White House. If things pan out, the amateurs' ranks will be thinned out replaced by more politically adept and, hopefully, pragmatic operators.
https://www.axios.com/exclusive-tru...ff-house-leader-on-short-list-2349015716.html
I think my thoughts on the recent strikes in Syria roughly fall under three themes
1. It is not a bad thing to strike Assad for using chemical weapons. But what's next? What's the follow up? Are these strikes the beginning of a new chapter on US policy towards Syria, or are they just piecemeal strikes?
2. Timing. Besides sending a message to world leaders (China, DPRK, Iran etc.) that the US is now more willing than before to flex her military muscle, I also cannot help but wonder if the decision to launch strikes is an attempt by Trump to display legitimacy and build domestic support at a time when his ratings are falling and his administration is perceived to be a mess. If I were an opportunistic person I think I might see no better time than now to take military action. If so, what will the follow-up actions look like?
3. What happens when the Syrian opposition use chemical weapons too? If Trump chooses to be consistent in his stand towards the use of chemical weapons, then he has to strike the opposition groups too. Should that happen, will the US still be seen as the righteous moral police of the world, or a nation apathetic to the Syrian situation, happy to play umpire and nothing more?
These are just my thoughts, hope to gain 2cents from the knowledgable members here. Frankly a lot of this bothers me as a citizen of a small state. The security (economic, military, societal) situation looks worrying in the near/mid future. We literally know what it is like when someone else in the region starts a fire but we are the ones being smothered in the smoke.
1. It is not a bad thing to strike Assad for using chemical weapons. But what's next? What's the follow up? Are these strikes the beginning of a new chapter on US policy towards Syria, or are they just piecemeal strikes?
2. Timing. Besides sending a message to world leaders (China, DPRK, Iran etc.) that the US is now more willing than before to flex her military muscle, I also cannot help but wonder if the decision to launch strikes is an attempt by Trump to display legitimacy and build domestic support at a time when his ratings are falling and his administration is perceived to be a mess. If I were an opportunistic person I think I might see no better time than now to take military action. If so, what will the follow-up actions look like?
3. What happens when the Syrian opposition use chemical weapons too? If Trump chooses to be consistent in his stand towards the use of chemical weapons, then he has to strike the opposition groups too. Should that happen, will the US still be seen as the righteous moral police of the world, or a nation apathetic to the Syrian situation, happy to play umpire and nothing more?
These are just my thoughts, hope to gain 2cents from the knowledgable members here. Frankly a lot of this bothers me as a citizen of a small state. The security (economic, military, societal) situation looks worrying in the near/mid future. We literally know what it is like when someone else in the region starts a fire but we are the ones being smothered in the smoke.
Why bother, what use of "deconfliction" channel for Russia with somebody deliberately attacking its allays as well as Russians themselves? Clearly, we now beyond this.
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
Not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but it seems that you are claiming that the US targeted Russians with the cruise missile strikes, as well as elements of the Assad regime.
If I am understanding your post correctly, do you have a source? As I understand it, Russia was warned approximately 2 hours prior to the strike, so that Russian personnel at the airbase could avoid the targeted areas. Also strikes were directed against base infrastructure, but not at areas suspected of containing chemical weapons, to prevent an accidental release.
1. Judging by western news outlets, the first 6 hours after the strike the single most important questing was how many, if any, Russian were affected by the strike. And rightfully so, as merry US gang does not posses knowledge of every Russian personal in this vicinity.
2. The base had the vital role in defence of Palmira and T4 from IS earlier this year. As well as role in defence of blockaded DrEz, and supporting current offensive against IS to the north of Palmyra. If you suggest it is sufficient simply to say 'get the f... out of the base we are going to render it useless', and go willy-nilly about the business, then you are deeply mistaken.
3. It is better, this way. Nobody will have any illusions, that if they make a call, they are free to proceed with the kill. From now on it will be for real. The one who were calling for no-fly zone, might eventually get what they asked for.
If you look at the press coverage, suddenly everyone is talking about Syria and not so much about Trump's campaign. A was has often been a convenient distraction in the past for leaders in a troubled position. Just a thought.
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
Honestly I would say it is more than just a thought. A great deal will depend on whether this strikes were a 'one-off' or the start of a larger (and hopefully considered and thought out) plan to effect change in Syria and the greater region.
So far is seems the strikes are starting to change former supporters who really exist more at the fringe of US political and social thought (the alt-right) into detractors.
Frankly, if the people who subscribe to many/most of the alt-right beliefs and conspiracy theories cannot or will not step out of the shadows and into the light of facts, logical thinking and an understanding of cause and effect, then I am happy for them to get marginalized politically.
t68
Well-Known Member
Was t sure where to put this, but Russia Iran and Syria are saying the US has crossed a red line and they will response. Not sure if they are referring to any future attack or a planning on responding to the attack on the Syrian airbase.
Not sure how they plan to do this without increasing tension already frayed. Attack shipping in the Gulf or wait for aircraft crossing into Syrian territory, I guess that makes for more aircraft to deploy to protect the enablers such as AWACSand AAR aircraft.
US attack crossed red lines: Asaad allies - 9news.com.au
Not sure how they plan to do this without increasing tension already frayed. Attack shipping in the Gulf or wait for aircraft crossing into Syrian territory, I guess that makes for more aircraft to deploy to protect the enablers such as AWACSand AAR aircraft.
US attack crossed red lines: Asaad allies - 9news.com.au
One line posts are not acceptable from newbies. So please offer some context and comment.
By my count American taxpayers will have spent $460 Million after 4 years of Trump vacationing. That's how much it would cost to buy 51 Abrams MBTs or 5 F-35s for the Air Force. Or a LCS for the Navy. Or a Legend-class cutter for the Coast Guard.Hope he's worth it.
gizmodo-default
Obama Spent $97,000,000 on Vacations in 8 Years. Here’s How Much Trump Spent in 10 Weeks
gizmodo-default
Obama Spent $97,000,000 on Vacations in 8 Years. Here’s How Much Trump Spent in 10 Weeks
supercomrade
Member
But how could it cost so much? He's not exactly flying to exotic locations and staying at 5 star hotels and maxing our the room service bill.........By my count American taxpayers will have spent $460 Million after 4 years of Trump vacationing. That's how much it would cost to buy 51 Abrams MBTs or 5 F-35s for the Air Force. Or a LCS for the Navy. Or a Legend-class cutter for the Coast Guard.Hope he's worth it.
gizmodo-default
Obama Spent $97,000,000 on Vacations in 8 Years. Here’s How Much Trump Spent in 10 Weeks
How does driving a few hours to a golf course cost so much?
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
It costs a lot of money to maintain the security bubble around a US President, especially when he wants to maintain bubbles in Florida and NYC. Then there is that 747 flying down to Florida on a regular basis.
supercomrade
Member
Well that actually makes sense but the oxymoron here is, the anti-Trump crowd force the secret service to boost his security up a lot.It costs a lot of money to maintain the security bubble around a US President, especially when he wants to maintain bubbles in Florida and NYC. Then there is that 747 flying down to Florida on a regular basis.
I personally see daily death threats towards Trump on social media every single day. Obama did not get this much hate. I am sure the couple hundred thousand a day(taking a guess), assassination threats force them to take way more expensive security measures.
Like I said....the Oxymoron here is the people who hate Trump help drive this cost up
The Secret Service would assume and plan for the worst case threat scenario regardless who the President is. Obama received his fair share of hostility. And you completely deflect the point of the article ie. Trump is an incredible hypocrite and squanderer of public funds after claiming during the campaign that he would be too busy with work to do much golfing unlike Obama.
Really? Trying to pull that one over?
Obama had just as many threats but what Obama didnt cause was the level of hate within the community that is splitting the US apart from it's self. Trump is creating the mess him self.
supercomrade
Member
Stop. Just stop. Obama did not have "as many threats" Hell no. Just no way. I personally never seen any threats made towards Obama. I am sure a lot were made but I never seen them. Now I see them on social media, blogs, shoot even window stickers and bumper sticker on cars(like I mean this literally, not just figuratively, I have seen a few of these).....pretty much EVERYWHERE.
Seriously, just to go Twitter and search "TRUMP" and scroll through all the tweets that people are making related to Trump.
I am not saying Trump is a perfect person, not saying that one bit. But yes, the Anti-Trump crowd do drive his security costs up. And he has FAR more assassination threats than Obama ever did.
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