While President Trump was very determined to insist that anything good happening in Syria was “created by us, the United States, and nobody else,” the evidence is pointing to substantial improvements in the regional situation coming more or less directly out of the new Russia-Turkey ceasefire deal.
In the hours after the Russia deal was signed, Turkey announced that they will push no further into Syrian territory. There would indeed be no need to, since Russia and Syria are going to expel Kurdish SDF forces from the area for them.
The US had tried to claim that all the SDF were already out of the region before the US ceasefire ended. Turkey disputed this and Russia seems to agree, promising to get them out in the 150 hour deal they reached. Russian DM Sergey Shogiu moved on to talk with the SDF head almost immediately after the announcement.
Trump is eager to spin the Turkish ceasefire as his accomplishment, even though Russia seems to be the one dotting all the is and crossing all the ts on Turkey’s demands.
The big difference seems to be Russia’s willingness to engage with Turkey on an equal footing about what could be offered, including joint patrols, as opposed to just unilaterally threatening to destroy their economy if things don’t work out.
Indeed. So what about US’s threats about stealing Syria’s oil? al-Omar / Conoco fields are indeed occupied by the SDF (Kurds&ISIS)/ U.S forces. Some of the oil from these fields was being sold through third parties to Syria ‘s Govt by giving it in crude form and taking back half the quantity as refined product (Syrian govt own all the refineries). Since Syria now control the 30km zone, those oil fields can produce some 100k barrels a day which will go a long way to satisfy Syria’s imminent demands. (Apart from monthly deliveries by tankers from Iran and Russia). U.S can of course decide to sell the oil to the Kurds in Iraq (KRG) but Syria ‘s Govt now has control over the border area connecting Syria to KRG through both Yaaroubia and Al-Mallkiya. Syria is now also in control over the supply of electricity through the Tishreen and Furat dams. Operating the aforementioned oil fields requires electric supply and the Syrian government is the only provider………………………………. on another note, Russian increased traffic of military passenger and cargo planes by almost two of each daily (tu-154 and the giant an-124) suggest that something really big is going on. Assad is visiting his troops on the Idlib front declaring that all the territory belongs to Syria. Can be a major offensive on the horizon
This seems to be the new world order in the making. Like talking to people, finding out what their real concerns are, finding solutions jointly. Getting all parties on board.
Kurds in Syria may — if they can resist oil money or any bribe — discover the power of politics in getting what they need. Kurds in Turkey should pay attention.
Indeed.So what about US’s threats on stealing Syria’s oil? al-Omar / Conoco fields are indeed occupied by the SDF (kurds&ISIS)/ U.S forces. Some of the oil from these fields was being sold through third parties to Syria ‘s Govt by giving it in crude form and taking back half the quantity as refined product (Syrian govt own all the refineries). Since Syria now control the 30km zone, those oil fields can produce some 100k barrels a day which will go a long way to satisfy Syria’s imminent demands. (Apart from monthly deliveries by tankers from Iran and Russia). U.S can of course decide to sell the oil to the kurds in Iraq (KRG) but Syria ‘s Govt now has control over the border area connecting Syria to KRG through both Yaaroubia and Al-Mallkiya. Syria is now also in control over the supply of electricity through the Tishreen and Furat dams. Operating the aforementioned oil fields requires electric supply and the Syrian government is the only provider………………………………. on another note, Russian increased traffic of military passenger and cargo planes by almost two of each daily (tu-154 and the giant an-124) suggest that something really big is going on. Assad is visiting his troops on the Idlib front declaring that all the territory belongs to Syria. Can be a major offensive on the horizon.
And a big thank you to Trump. He told Kurds the real, painful truth — nobody promised to protect them till the end of time. This message is for Kurds in Turkey, Iraq and Iran. That nobody will ever protect them for ever — and he may have added, only as long as useful to somebody, after that — you have a value if tissue paper.
Sun Tzu message for Kurds — make friends in neighborhood, do not count on friends far away.
This rule should apply to Israel at some point in time.
Other nations & groups trust the Russians but distrust the USA.
The US warfare state had no intention of leaving. It had no intention of moving the Kurds either. It defied Trump, and would have continued to defy him. The entire US press and Congress was united in defying Trump and continuing the war in Syria. They had various reasons, from neocon to just never-Trump, but the result was the same.
Russia is actually willing to do it. That is the difference, and nothing else.
Baloney Trump got this deal done and no one else. Look at the opposition he has gotten from the Deep State.
Trump is a buffoon. Nothing he says or does matters. The only people who matter are the US neocon warmongers – and Russia (and Iran to a degree when it comes to Syria or Iraq.) Those are the opposing parties and Trump is just a dummy both sides get to manipulate. The neocons do most of the manipulation since they have direct access to him while Russia gets to figure out what they’re up to and derail it as best they can.
In short, everything Trump says or does can be ignored as irrelevant to anything that’s actually going on. This guy is the most irrelevant, ranting, narcissistic clown President in US history. He’s living in his own demented dream world that has nothing to do with reality.
For now. Turkey has made agreements with Russia before only to never really implement them. See Idlib province. Syria must remain weary.
America loves taking credit for Russian diplomacy. Obama did the same thing when Putin got Assad to hand over his chemical weapons.