Russian Foreign Ministry officials today warned that US efforts to ease restrictions on arms shipments to Syrian rebels were seen as a “hostile act,” saying in particularly that the provision of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles could directly threaten Russian forces in Syria.
The most recent US military spending deal included provisions which sought to dramatically ease arms shipments to Syrian rebels, including the shoulder-fired “MANPADS.” The State Department, however, insisted that the US is not providing MANPADS to the rebels.
The Obama Administration has long armed rebel factions across Syria, including with things like Tow missiles, but was loathe to provide anti-aircraft missiles, for fear they would end up shooting down either civilian aircraft, or potentially getting in the hands of rebels who might shoot down US planes with them.
President-elect Donald Trump is seen to be severely souring on the arming scheme at any rate, and expected to scrap the plan in favor of focusing US efforts in Syria on fighting against ISIS, as opposed to trying to prop up various rebel factions seeking regime change.
I hope that the author is correct in suggesting that Trump will act upon his campaign statements about ending US “regime change” activities, and about improving cooperation with Russia in eliminating known terrorist groups in Syria such as ISIS (a self-declared offshoot of Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda (renamed Al Nusra, then re-renamed whatever the latest label is), and other Sunni extremist groups which openly admire and follow the lead of Al Qaeda. If Trump really does those two things, it will be a giant step toward peace in our time.
Trump is going looking good Obama went in looking OK to but he is going out not looking to good . Yes this attacking ISIS and insinuating all other Muslims are OK is not true the Muslims may already have close to thousand terrorist organizations . I think just driving these terrorists out of Aleppo is not the best solution They need to be surrounded and eliminated permently . I’am sure Russia , China and Syria know this . Don’t let them out of the country . Many of these guys are not soldiers but traveling terrorists working for their martyr salvation send them to the 72 virgins that are waiting for them .
The big question is: will Trump be able to resist the Israeli pressure and wild agressive propaganda? Will he be able to withstand all the warmongers plus their zionist stooges, placed in strategic positions all over in the US establishment?
I hope he will be strong and independent and keep a friendly frequency with Russia….
No, the big question is whether Trump has any INTEREST in resisting the Israeli pressure and wild aggressive propaganda.
So far, the evidence says the answer to that question is “no.”
My thinking is that he will let the Israelis and gulf Arabs be as aggressive and disruptive as they like to peace and security in the region, but he is firm in his intention not to be swayed by them in the conduct of US policy. He focused on China as the long term rival of the USA both in economic and military terms, which is why he is determined to get Russia on side to break the Sino-Russian axis. He is averse to wasting American blood and treasure in the middle east, and wants to win over new allies into his anti China front. So he will pay lip service to Israel and Saudi Arabia’s clarion calls, but in practical terms ignore them.
America could not care less when millions are murdered just to make Russia look bad *GOD BLESS AMERICA*