Testifying to the Senate today, DIA chief Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart declared the US “calculus” on the Syrian Civil War had completely changed over the last six months because of Russian involvement, saying that President Bashar al-Assad is no longer on the way out, and likely to be a “long-term player.”
The US has long demanded Assad’s immediate ouster, but while Stewart says intelligence officials were openly talking about an “endgame” for Assad just months ago, he now seems to be in a much more secure position.
Russia’s involvement, providing air support for the Assad government and allied militias, was seen as a big part of Syria’s recovery of most of Latakia Province and its recent gains in Homs and Aleppo Provinces, end sieges against Shi’ite towns and putting pressure on rebel supply lines.
The Pentagon has made several admissions that Russia is probably achieving its goals in Syria, which centered on preventing a collapse of the existing government. This is both in stark contrast to the lack of success from the US airstrikes in Syria, and the Obama Administration’s predictions that Russia’s involvement in Syria would end in a quick and disastrous failure.
The US had not calculated it would defeat ISIS? Nothing to add…
Russia is succeeding because they practice what everyone knows. Air power must be coordinated with ground troops. WW1 proved that troops can dig deeper than shells can penetrate. All the US effort has achieved so far is provide a cheap eduction to ISIS fighters on how to avoid being killed in an air strike. Shovels and sandbags are all that is needed to reduce air power to an expensive tool for killing off only the stupidest.
The US has long demanded Assad’s immediate ouster, hence why America is sooo screwed up, thinking they have been anointed to dictate another countries internal affairs. Funny, I don’t really believe that the U.S. really cares about Assad or not but their little sh*t disturbers Saudi Arabia does and this is why the corrupt regime of DC is demanding Assad’s ouster.
Hmmm
Actually no the US has not long demand Assad’s immediate ouster. Less than 3 years ago Obama was busy assuring the American people he was not interested in regime change. And just 2+ years ago as he planned to invade Syria he again made it clear that regime change was not the motive. Rather, fighting against ISIS to stop the spread of terrorism was.
Israel on the other hand has in fact been demanding regime change in Syria as well as Iran for decades……….