A day after the US gave tepid support for the establishment of Syrian safe zones to try to separate combatant forces and reduce the amount of fighting, they appear to have noticed that this might get in their way of their own attacks across the country, and are pledging to ignore the demilitarization of the zones.
Back when Turkey and the US were both super keen on the idea of safe zones, a big selling point was the imposition of no-fly zones over the areas, to keep the civilians within getting bombed. This was also a big obstacle, as the US wasn’t totally clear it could do this without declaring war on Russia.
With Russia also on board now, that should’ve been easier. Instead, Russia announced that the safe zones, which went into effect overnight, are now officially closed to all warplanes, and US officials are livid at the idea, insisting they have no intention of respecting that.
Largely this appears to be a case of the US just being deliberately difficult, as none of the safe zones are in areas US warplanes were operating in the first place. The reality, however, is that the zones are now being used in service of a ceasefire the US never really supported to begin with ,and with the US-backed rebels also objecting about the ceasefire getting in the way of their war, the US will be non-cooperative.
Public consumption?
More like pubic contemplation…….
I should have been more clear. It’s not the safe zones themselves that are for public consumption. It’s the contradictory US statements about them, particularly the assertion that the US will ignore them. Those are for the consumption of the US and European public.
You and Bianca are correct that the safe zones themselves are for the contemplation of residents and fighters within those safe zones. We were already seeing internecine clashes between hard core terrorists and those hoping for amnesty or transport to Idlib. The SAA was just sitting back and enjoying the game as spectators. Safe zones are a formalization and reminder of that reality for the inhabitants.
Once again Mr.Diktz lol another un-biased piece about a peaceful resolution for no fly zones aka safe zones over Syria respected by USA RUSSIA AND TURKEY IN AGREEMENT and yet still a hit piece on America Why???Damn you scream we’re impeding peace when we disagree now we agree and still you scream we’re impeding.Do you really advocate for cooperation and a peaceful resolution to stop war and bloodshed?Jason Ditz are you truly advocating for peace?US@
You must not have read the article very carefully . It says THE U.S. IS NOT GOING TO HONOR SYRIA’s SAFE ZONES and Russia says they are . I bet Russia wins and I hope you do too .
You are talking about the type of no-fly zone created by our Empire in Lydia by bombing it back to the stone age, a zone designed for our Empire expansion.
Not so this no-kill zone, as our killing of 82 solders in a Syrian military base, our killing of 50 worshipers in a Mosque, this is about to come to a screeching halt.
Read carefully. After giving a political approval of safe zones — as there was no
plausible way to reject the plan — now our military is claiming the right to bomb and not honor no fly zones. It is stupid, contradictory and full of it — but then this is how our fracturized government seem to operate.
The idea in each of the safe zones — or as Syria calls them, de-escalation zones, is to stop fighting between “moderates” and government. And both are obligated to fight ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
Since Syrian, Russian or Turkish planes will no longer bomb — this will save civilians trapped by various militants, and surrounded by Syrian Army. Let us see the reality on the ground. All of these areas are surrounded, and will have to give themselves up sooner or later. This way, non-ISIS groups, and those not partnering with Al-Qaeda will be given “get out of jail” card IF they play it smart. Up until now, they tactically worked with terrorists and served as conduit of arms supply, humanitarian convoys being the favotite smuggling method. Now, population can exert pressure on “moderates”, to accept reconciliation agreements, in exchange for aid, local government funding and their own policing. Population will be free to leave for jobs elsewhere. This is NOT to the liking of Saudi Arabia and Kurds. Since Turkey linked up with Syrian forces at Al-Bab, Kurdish Afrin region, and Kobani region — could no longer link via ethnically cleansed belt by Turkish border. And the end of US neocon envisioned Kurdish state separating Turkey from Syria. Kurds are a weak force on the ground — they just do not have the numbers to tackle ISIS except to take smaller settlements and expand Kobani region.
Even though Saudi paid ISIS commanders could be persuaded to give some territory to Kurds — the problem are local Arabs — who already organized self-defense units to fight off Kurds — even if ISIS withdraws to Iraq. This region cannot remain in limbo — and somebody must do peacekeeping after ISIS is defeated. Kurds cannot do that, and US needs another occupation project like a hole in the head. Turkey is the best option. This would insure that Kurds do not establish a state on Syria-Iraq border, and cutting Turkey off from the entire Middle East. For ever whining Europeans were hoping US will make their fortune by delivering Turkey, its economy and market to their grabby arms. This is unlikely to happen now under any scenario, as Turkey has opened up trade, transit, energy and military ties with Asia and Russian territory for Eurasian transit without the complications of negotiating the “freedom” of navigation with US and allies.
There is a solution to Syrian crisis on the horizon — but it will take a good debate inside Pentagon on the goals of military engagement in the Middle East, and the realignment of leadership to fit new strategies. It is more then obvious by now that we have disjointed leadership in military — something that became painfully obvious since Trump gave them power to operate. This empiwernment was about to bring to the surface conflicting agendas and those that pull strings, making mighty Pentagon a marketplace of special interests. Once exposed — required to show results of their command — failure will not be a recommendation for more of the same. This is a messy process, but necessary. It may end the multiple policy, strategy and tactics centers inside Pentagon, as may spell an end to cornucopia of intelligence influence — whose operations often contradict or undermine Pentagon plans. Or worse, we have various policy making centers that use both Pentagon and intelligence to confuse, prolong and redirect operations at the whim of those pulling political strings. By putting generals in charge Trump will soon be able to see who is advocating what — and make performance and strstegy based changes. We will in the meantime be surely treated to contradictions — as those pulling strings will keep up, until strings break.
Bianca seems to be the master here, of seemingly unraveling these bate and switch, wait and schitz policy wars. .. What say you…????
We are partnering with AlQaeda and Al Nusra in Syria .they are both radical extremist terrorists not much different than ISIS
Gee, maybe it’s the U.S. reaction that the U.S. doesn’t want any no-fly zones where IT can’t bomb. Those no fl y zones originally proposed by Turkey and the U.S. we’re over the “Moderate Opposition” AKA the rebels, the fighters seeking to take out Assad. The U.S. reticence about these Russian proposed no-fly zones likely are over areas in which Assad is in control…
Herein lies the reason these proxy wars are so exceedingly dangerous.. How many Poles live close to the NATO radar command and control which Russia has said it will take out if things out of control…?????
And If Russia was to go all in, wouldn’t it likely take out some NATO Capitol , especially Brussels to show that the west has crossed a line ?
US is going to sabotage the deal, that seems very likely. That means that if Russia,Iran and Syria want to enforce the no fly zones, American plane have to be downed. Beginning of WWIII ?
The pentagon might send bombers to the safe zones when congress is home . I bet Putin shoots them down . hope our boys get out of those planes OK . The American people will be on Russia side again this time .because we don’t want to bomb Syria’s safe zones either . We only thank God for Russia
This no-kill zone, from all respects, is it not
a stroke of genus by President Putin?
So does this mean United States intends to bomb Syria’s safe zones ? Why would we do that ? Is not it time for Anti war to again ask us to tell our congressmen that we do not want to bomb Assad or Syria’s safe zones .
Why would we not? For expansion is the life blood of Empire.
Why not?.. To provoke a Russian response so the Empire can go after them directly… What we’ve been attempting in Ukraine for the past six years.
This no-kill zone is designed by Russia to keep civilians from being killed by terrorists, anti-Assad rebels and USA.
Is it not quite possible that Russia is provoking President Trump into exposing his kill-craze Administration for what it truly is?
Yes, if the Russians aren’t expecting a double cross they’re not the great chess players they’re reputed to be.
It’s entirely likely that this is an effort to expose Western hypocrisy and duplicity.
Why we need yet another lesson on this subject does escape me.
The glory and power of wealth, the fact that we are only 5% of world population and yet our Empire expansion has captured half of all the wealth on earth, that has to be the highest of our motivations.
Oh I don’t think most of the American people even have hint of what our government has been doing for the last twenty years I think they are convinced Assad used the gas , Putin is a communist dictator and United States is supporting the good guys and trying to bring peace to everyone in Syria with a democracy .
True but I doubt the opinion of the American people is much of a factor in decisions made by the Deep State. Clearly, they don’t much give a damn about the wishes of their nominal superiors either, as evidenced by the torpedoing of a cease fire agreement in Syria last September.
http://original.antiwar.com/porter/2016/09/25/pentagon-sank-us-russia-deal-syria-ceasefire/
The people in Donetsk have been suffering under daily shelling since 2014 because of Russian insistence on phony ceasefires that the other side never had any intention of honoring.
Syria has been subject to the same boobery and this latest incarnation will be no different. Previous “ceasefires” have been used by the jihadis to regroup and resupply for subsequent offensives.
And no, Russia is not going to shoot down any US planes.
Since 1945, when has our gutless wonder Empire ever gone to battle against a nuke-powered nation?
Uh, precisely as many times a fellow gutless wonder nation Russia has I guess?
Unlike the Empire, Russia doesn’t go to war against other nations – Nukes or no.
It was the courage of Russia that started the U.S. against Russia proxy war in Afghanistan.
It was the courage of Russia to defend it’s navel base in Syria that started this proxy war between the two greatest powers on earth.
It was the courage of Russia to save it’s navel base in Crimea that started the ongoing proxy war in Ukraine.
I hope not and I hope no U.S. planes are flying over and bombing safe areas . We better call our congressmen .to make sure that does not happened .
Our gutless wonder Empire, will it back down? I predict that it will,
as Russia will shoot down our killer drones and Trump will cower back.
What else can one expect from the ‘indispensable and exceptional’ lunatic US?
Surprise, surprise. Can the USA do anything but destroy?
Real honest safe areas are not conducive for terrorist success . The Syrian rebels come from all over the world including the USA , Europe England China and even Russia . There may not be so many of The Jihadist but they are very viscous and take total control of their area . With the innocent civilians separated and protected there will be nobody to hide behind . the Jihadist Muslims all alone to fight and they will be easy to defeat The Islamic extremists have been able to destroy several countries with the NWO bombing for them and The Islamic terrorist or national socialist furnishing the ground troops . In Yugoslavia the terrorist were in the safe areas they used them for a safe base to commit terrorists actions from Russia and China did not like what happened to Yugoslavia and Libya hey intend to stop this from happening to Syria .
Thank god for Putin is all I’ll say.
No
Putin managed to stop Obama from bombing Syria because of our sides false flag Sarin gas attack . He did not argue and claim this was a false flag attack . He merrily promised Assad would get rid of all his illegal gas . Putin was unable to stop Trump from responding to another false flag sarin gas attack . However Putin has the upper hand now by agreeing to Trumps plan of setting up safe Areas in Syria . Russia quickly agreed and said they will be no fly safe areas and Russia will shoot down any planes flying and bombing in the safe areas . Now the United States does not want safe areas they can’t fly in . Seems the terrorists don’t want the civilian in safe areas because there won’t be enough civilians left to hind behind . Trump will have a very hard time with this because nearly all the American people liked Trumps idea of Syrian safe areas instead of all the Syrian becoming American refugees .
Maybe it will give the Russians the chance to use its NEW Missile systems against an F22. now wouldn’t that rattle the US if they shot one down!
The US is a lawless gangster nation.
Since 1776
The US wants and needs ‘endless war’, and Endless War it shall get.
Russia is trying to get the US government to look at their empirical evidence of the False Flag ‘gassing’, but truth and fact would only get in the way of ‘agenda’.
“The US and Israel are the 2 greatest threats to world peace today” ~ White House analyst
US dismisses… Who exactly is US in this story?
The US government has no legal basis to even be in Syria.. any incursion by US troops into Syria is an act of war and in violation of international law!
United PERPUTAL WAR States
Well, if the U.S. violates it and their planes get shot down, too bad so sad. They are in violation of Syria’s airspace and not invited.