Throughout Syria’s Civil War, Israeli warplanes have launched pretty regular attacks on military targets. Today’s incidents were different in a few ways: Israel publicly acknowledged that they carried out the strikes, though they didn’t say what was struck, and Syria fired anti-aircraft missiles at the raiding warplanes.
That Syria resisted the raids this time was a huge difference, and may suggest today’s raids were bigger. Also pointing to this being no ordinary Israeli attack, Russia summoned the Israeli Ambassador after the incident to seek “clarification” on what happened, which is also unprecedented, with reports in the past of Israel having communications with Russia about operations in Syria and Lebanon to prevent incidents.
Exactly what ended up happening is a matter of some dispute. Syria claimed in state media to have shot down an Israeli warplane, hit a second one, and then the Israeli planes fled. Israeli officials said no damage was done to any planes, and that they’d intercepted one of the anti-aircraft missiles with an Arrow anti-missile system.
Israeli officials did confirm that their planes withdraw when Syria fired the anti-aircraft missiles, but never publicly said what was targeted. Israel’s Channel 10 reported that the targets were weapons shipments for Hezbollah, but there was no official confirmation for this.
The missiles Syria fired were described as S-5s, which is a NATO reporting name for the Russian-made S-200 system. Syria has access to more advanced systems than this one, but may be trying to warn Israel away from future attacks.
I certainly hope Russia will not stand idly by and let the Zionist enterprise have free reign in Syrian skies. If they do, it will greenlight US attacks on the Gov’t of Syria. Does Russia have the guts to stand up for its ally? We will see.
The jets were probably the Israeli versions of Boeing QF-16 drones and no live pilots are at risk. Or, you’d never hear the end of an Israeli warplane shot down. Or for that matter, an Israeli pilot escaping death.
Israel has lots of old F-16s retired as no longer airworthy for manned flight; conversion to drones is the next logical step now that the tech is available. So little is known about the Russian S-Series that sending F-16 drones to test them and figure out how they work makes military sense.
Syrian response with the obsolete S-200 on Syria’s part seems to support the drone theory, as they wouldn’t want to reveal or waste S-300 surprises. Israel’s claim that it lost no warplanes makes sense as a converted warplane drone is essentially a drone.
Its an alarming development, though, for anyone concerned about the automation and roboticization of war. It very much appears these automated systems are ready for use against live opponents.
Even if no one was in danger in this air exchange, clearly all sides are willing to risk serious escalation. A miscalculation or incendiary rhetoric from extremists could start something that almost no one wants.
Some in US are certainly hoping for a war. To force Trump’s hand. Otherwise, Israel would take its issue with Hezzbolah to Lebanon. As it is a legitimate part of Lebanon’s armed forces, and political system — good luck with that. It is rather insulting to average intelligence to pretend that we do not know the reason for being mad with Hezzbollah. Latest Israeli incursion (what a nice word for an attempt to take a slice of a weak state) into Lebanon was met with resistance, forcing it to withdraw. And Hezzbolllah was mostly to blame (or credit, depending).
Ever since, the most transparent of all efforts to weaken this military branch of Lebanon armed forces has been relentless. The idea that it is safe to attack them while fighting the most vile of terrorists in Syria — is cheezy. All Israel has to do is to give up territorial pretensions on Lebanon and Syria — and no need for playing with fire. What fascinates me is this most arrogant belief in one’s own safety — while the Levant is burning physically and psychologically. If things get out of control — just one more stupidity — and Israel may find itself engulfed in flames. It would be a poor consolation that US will exact revenge on multiple culprits. In which case US may say good buy to any pretensions in global leadership.
And come to think of it — while China, Russia and Iran are investing a fortune on defense, we are placing our “missile defence” far from our shores — ringing Russia, China and Iran. This is banking on the ability to detect early and destroy incoming misiles. But with the gliders that carry nuclear weapons into lower orbit, to reenter towards target, and the missile defense so far from the object of defense — is not really that safe. Anything actually defending us?
Are you still supporting Trump? It seems that on the Iran and N.Korea questions at least, you are with the majority of the people on this site. You can’t continue to support anything about Trump and still be antiwar Bianca. Make the leap now. We need you too to help convince Raimondo that he is wrong to support Trump in any way.
For the little antiwar good that this site may be able to do.
Don — being anti-war is not same as being pro-stupid. I am going to support Trump until he breaks his promise on foreign policy. Anyone thinking that Trump was going to walk into the office, and order a mass withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and telling Israel and Saudi Arabia to take a hike — as US no longer cares about their concerns about Iran — is nit living in real world. The issues confronting US.are the issues of global security — and each administration must start by showing its willingness to engage — today, with Democrats watching for any sign of weakness — everything must be “from the position of strength”.
SInce you know this — yet insist to leap to a judgement — you are just creating a cartoon version of reality, then insisting that we all should follow your example and condemn your cartoon. Do not be so obvious!
If there is one worrysome development — it is the inability if US power projection to send a clear message to all that still arm and finance both A
ISIS and Al-Qaeda. This hurts Trump — as it appears that our own
allies or even intelligence outfits within our government are not on board
with ending ISIS. No matter the amount of troups, the whack-a-mole of ISIS and Al-Qaeda outfits will continue — causing a mission creap. And slowing down all other foreign policy objectives.
“I am going to support Trump until he breaks his promise on foreign policy.”
What promise would that be?
Hahaha! Good one and thanks for picking up on that from Bianca. I missed it until now.
Bianca can’t get past thinking that I’m pro-Dem when in fact I’m neither. Both parties are solidly in tune with the warmaking agenda of your country.
I’m just anti-Trump because he is too and he’s pulling the wool over the eyes of people such as Bianca. She means well. This is the great danger with Trump. And if not the word ‘escalation’ then everything is being done in order to prepare to escalate.
The anti-Torah state of Israel never attacks the fake ISIS or the group we were told did 9/11, but only those fighting the fake terrorists. In fact the masonic state of Israel has even had the audacity to state that it “prefers” the fake ISIS or “Al-qaeda” terrorist groups over the secular government of Syria (which has long protected its Christian and various minority groups)
I do not support Israel violating international law by committing an act
of war on a sovereign country called Syria by bombing inside Syria not
only once but several times and Syria has every right to not only shoot
down the Israeli planes but retaliate appropriately against Israel. I
defend Israel’s border integrity and right to defend itself if attacked.
America needs to stop supporting blindly Israel, especially if it acts
badly like in this case. The idea of being a blind supporter is like
being a bad parent who lets their child act in anyway as the child feels
fit. Nope, a good parent like a good America needs to call out the bad
behaviour when it occurs.
There are many signs now that Trump has ordered no restraint be practiced by the US and/or Israel. Sparing mosques in order to keep the fight from becoming one against Islam is of no interest to Trump.
Americans in general are quite supportive of that stance by Trump.