Is The Tide Turning In Syria?

[Khandro]

It appears that Putin is now in charge of operations and the US may have to follow his lead. Wouldn't this be the best way to achieve an end to the conflict and then try to obtain a political settlement?

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/11/world/middleeast/russian-intervention-in-syrian-war-has-sharply-reduced-us-options.html?action=click&contentCollection=Travel&module=MostPopularFB&version=Full&region=Marginalia&;src=me&pgtype=article

[mikey4444]

Well, at he present rate there soon won't be many Syrians left alive, as Putin is assisting Assad to murder more of them every day.

Putin and Assad...partners in the crime of genocide, and the rest of the world stands by and let them get on with it.

[Khandro]

So mikey, shall I take it that you support ISIS and all the others violently opposing the legitimate government?

[Old_Geezer]

If the tide is turning, they have some massive beaches in that part of the world.

It is well known that Russia, under Putin, are not focused on eliminating Daesh, but destroying anyone who opposes the rule of Assad. It simply does not follow that not being in favour of that means you are in favour of Daesh. This sort of "if you are not with us you are against us", black/white. polarised view is something I associate more with some other countries, not the UK.

[jomifl]

It is strange how illegitimate governments gain legitimacy with time.

[Khandro]

OG. //It is well known that Russia, under Putin, are not focused on eliminating Daesh, but destroying anyone who opposes the rule of Assad.//

No, Putin is supporting Assad to bring a stop to all opposition including ISIS
and bring some sort of stability to the region, a worthwhile aim and one we to which should be contributing, imo.

[Gromit]

// I take it that you support ISIS //

I take it you are an idiot.

[Svejk]

Mikey was very keen on British troops helping IS topple Assad 18 months ago.

[Gromit]

Obama is a lame duck President.
This conflict could have been over or a least under control years ago, if the US hadn't prevaricated for so long. Instead hundreds of thousands have been slaughted while the US did nothing, or very little.
Most of the missiles and equipment ISIS have, is made in the USA. Shamingly, a lot of it was donated by the CIA to the so called 'friendly' rebels, who promptly sold it to ISIS. So rather than solve the problem, they have been part of the problem for years.
The intervention of Russia and the timing favour a victory for Assad. That may not be the result we want, but a sooner victory will save lives rather than let this confluct go on for another 5 years.

[Old_Geezer]

Khandro, you have simply restated the same thing but using different words.

Compare, "destroying anyone who opposes the rule of Assad", with, "supporting Assad to bring a stop to all opposition".

[Svejk]

There is no difference between the so-called 'good rebels' and IS. Indeed, they often trade weapons and hostages. One thing you can be sure of, they all hate us.
Assad and his allies, quite rightly, fought the people trying to depose him to a plan. Seems to have worked too.

[-Talbot-]

I don't agree with Khandro that mikey in anyway indicated he supports Isis
But when one Aber calls another Aber an idiot the post is usually removed.

[mikey4444]

Khandro...your question at 10:52 is not worthy of an answer....but...Nobody on AB supported ISIS, including me.

[Khandro]

OG, Apology, but it would have been clearer if you had followed "It is well known that Russia, under Putin, are not focused on eliminating Daesh" perhaps with the word "alone".

[mikey4444]

Khandro....your apology is gladly welcomed !

I'm not trying to pretend this issue is easy to solve, but since Putin got involved, the attrition rate amongst ordinary Syrians has shot up. There is ample evidence that the Russian forces have targeted civilians, just as Assad has been doing for years, and his butcher of a father before him.

The only reason that Putin wants Assad to succeed is that it will give the Russians a port in the Med. Putin doesn't need the oil, as he has plenty of that of his own. Why else would a nation hundreds of miles away from Syria want to get involved ?

[Khandro]

mikey, But you said "Putin and Assad...partners in the crime of genocide",

which is not true, they are putting down insurgents attempting to overthrow the legitimate government.
Genocide is the deliberate extermination of a population.
I know you don't support ISIS (it was said ironically!). Though it appears they have Jeremy Corbyn's sympathy, - on the Marr show he recently said "I think there has to be some understanding of where their strong points are". --- Good grief!

[Khandro]

mikey, the first apology was to OG, the second one is yours :0)

[Khandro]

Yes, he wants a presence in the Med. but the main reason for his support is that Assad has said "no" to the pipeline crossing Syria the US wants to see from Qatar (and Iran) to Turkey in order to shaft Putin.

[mikey4444]

Perhaps genocide was a bit strong, but its the closest I can see to what Assad has been doing for years. He didn't start massacring his own people when ISIS showed up....he had been doing that for many years.

Putin isn't the answer, as Assad will soon find out. To sup with the devil, you need an awfully long spoon.

[jourdain2]

You do need an awfully long spoon, mikey. Yes, we would be supping with the Devil.

Evil things are going to happen, I think we have to accept that. I am of the opinion that the lesser evil is to support Putin and Assad - please understand that I am very unhappy about having to say this. ISIL offers a threat to the whole world, Assad does not - horrific though his regime is.