Syria - Deals Were Done

The best explanation I've seen of recent events in Syria, is it was about the natural gas resources of the Persian Gulf. There were two proposals for pipelines to Europe; one was to take gas from Iran, through Iraq, then Syria, and then under the sea to Greece. The other was to establish a pipeline from Qatar, through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and then to Bulgaria. 

Assad favoured the Iranian pipeline, while his adversaries backed that from Qatar. Clearly, Assad chose the wrong option. From a business standpoint, both proposals lower the cost of gas in Europe as they avoid using tankers, and cut out Russia as a source of supply. 

Meanwhile, Russia has won in Ukraine, so they give up Syria and take a large chunk of the former. Zelensky will be fuming. Russia has been working on building up in Libya, and so they'll presumably move their presence in the Med to that country, and gain a better location, being able to effectively cut the sea in half, rather the way Britain did when it controlled Malta. 

I have noticed the propaganda news pieces coming out of Syria, they are laughable; al Jazeera are particularly bad, anyone would think the new regime in Syria were choir boys and everything is sweetness and light.

Syria

It does look as if the Assad regime has come to an end. Russia, Iran and Turkiye are having talks and this does have the appearance of organising a change of government. Assad visited Moscow recently, and it may be at that meeting he was told his reign was over. 

I also note the columns of rebels and the swift approaches to relatively undefended cities. They are sitting ducks while moving and yet Russia has not touched them.

This is interesting, change of government in the region is chaotic, unlike the West which uses rigged elections (see what I did there?). 

Syrian Rebels Make A Comeback

The timing does appear rather interesting - to say the least. With only a few weeks to go until Donald Trump is sworn in, suddenly the rebels in Syria rise up. Is this just coincidence, or is the Biden regime backing these groups? The main goal would probably be to avoid defense spending cuts.

This is very dangerous, because Russia has its naval base on the Mediterranean coast of Syria at Tartus. There is no way Russia will give this up, they'll go all-in to keep this presence in the Med. 

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's Death

US President Donald Trump has made a big announcement over the claimed killing of ISIL terror group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He claims that the terrorist was killed over the weekend and that the buildings he was staying in were destroyed.

Here is a link showing the destroyed buildings, the best photo is the second image embedded within the story:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/russia-casts-doubt-version-isis-20740219

The Russians have doubted the claim and before their statements I too could see an obvious inconsistency. The photos of the destroyed buildings do not look like the rubble eventuating from bombing or missiles. To my trained eye they look like the destruction resulting from construction equipment pulling the buildings down. From the aerial view you can see raised tracks or roads through the site so trucks and wheel loaders can gain easy access. If this is the site of al-Baghdadi's death then it can't have happened just a couple of days ago. The site has been worked on some time ago and now rubble is being retrieved for sites elsewhere and this has been happening for some time.

I'm agreeing with the Russians on this one. I have no doubt this is the site shown from the air before destruction; but what I am saying is that when it was destroyed, was not days ago but more like weeks.

Trump: The Turning Point

US President Donald Trump, according to news reports, is at an all-time low approval rating for US Presidents. But this could change if he manages to achieve a satisfactory resolution to the three items currently on the agenda.

1. Syria and their War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity

We've all seen the horrific images on the television, civilian communities being gassed. Children amongst the victims. Syria has lost the plot and stepped over the line.

The USA will likely intervene in some way, and the whole world should support them if they do. Done right, decisively, with weight behind the punch, President Trump will surely be saluted.

2. Trade and China

China has the playing field tilted toward it. Everyone else is running uphill. They write the rules, interpret those rules, and then cry foul when anyone questions them. This approach has seen China accumulate massive wealth. But it has to stop, it must, or the US and the rest of the western industrialised world will be pushing handcarts. President Trump seems to grasp this and his approach with the Chinese President will be interesting to observe. Is President Trump the great negotiator? We are about to find out.

3. North Korea

Then we have the unstable and, quite frankly, loony North Korean state. It appears they only listen to China, and China entered the Korean war to support them just as they were on the brink of losing. So there is history as they say. How President Trump juggles this and trade with China will be crucial. He must be strong with China on trade but also diplomatic in getting China to rein in North Korea.

The stakes for President Trump are high, get at least two of the three sorted in his first term and he'll soar in the ratings and be re-elected. If he falls over and can't seem to deal with things, he may not even get to the end of his first term. Interesting times as they say.

Obama Increases Military in Syria

Barack Obama is committing more US troops to fight ISIL:-

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/25/barack-obama-us-soldiers-islamic-state-syria

Is this validation of the Russian approach?

Whatever the case for removing Assad and his regime, can we all agree that ISIL need to be eradicated.

Jihadi John Got His

An interesting view from the Express; Jihadi John was killed as a result of Russia getting heavily involved in Syria...

>>Link<<

Personally I think Russia is going about things the right way. First, they're mopping up the rats and mice before crushing ISIL. Then later on they'll likely stab Assad in the back.