tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post7986163299352617230..comments2023-10-30T06:31:05.501-07:00Comments on MilPub: Deafening SilenceFDChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10607785969510234092noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-62415706664983411082013-09-16T05:51:54.180-07:002013-09-16T05:51:54.180-07:00Al-
Rogers is hopelessly confused by the Global W...Al-<br /><br />Rogers is hopelessly confused by the Global War on Terror narrative . . . his contradictory statements reflect him attempting (unsuccessfully) to make sense of it . . . time to retire Mike . . .seydlitz89https://www.blogger.com/profile/15431952900333460640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-85999652511974912482013-09-16T00:06:45.467-07:002013-09-16T00:06:45.467-07:00House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-...House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Mich) said:<br /><br />"<b><i>He (Putin) wanted [Syrian President Bashar] Assad there," Rogers continued. "He gets to keep his warm water port. He gets to keep his military contracts. And he gives breathing space to both Hezbollah, which is fighting on behalf of Assad, and Assad. And he creates a problem for us with al-Qaeda operating in the [Middle] East. This was a big win for him.</i></b>"<br /><br />Now, I can understand Rogers' list of positive outcomes for Russia, but how does he come up with not attacking Assad creating a problem for us with al-Qaeda, other than their being miffed we didn't attack their foe, Assad? Where would the positive outcomes for the US, in terms of al-Qaeda, be in attacking the Syrian government?Aviator47https://www.blogger.com/profile/05585964386930142907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-46169268171300245842013-09-13T13:36:51.413-07:002013-09-13T13:36:51.413-07:00Al -
You are correct that it does not matter wh...Al - <br /><br />You are correct that it does not matter who pulled off the diplomatic solution. But you are wrong that the US had nothing to do with it. And if the chem weapons are neutralized, we (the US) will reap the same benefits as the rest of the world. As for losing stature, we lost that ten years ago under Cheney, it cannot get any lower. We have nowhere to go but up in world opinion. <br /><br />There is a lot more to be done though, both diplomatically and behind the scenes peacefully with regard to Syria. I don't see Russia or Iran doing much more than PR. A peace in Syria is not in their best interests unless it is a peace fully under the control of Assad's armored glove.mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-29640249328017638832013-09-13T12:54:25.432-07:002013-09-13T12:54:25.432-07:00mike-
Really doesn't matter who really pulled...mike-<br /><br />Really doesn't matter who really pulled of the "diplomatic solution". Fact is, it wasn't the US. Thus, we said, "We are going to punish you", and the rest of the civilized world said that violence isn't the answer. Now we just have to see how it plays out. If the chem weapons are effectively neutralized, the world wins, but the US loses stature.Aviator47https://www.blogger.com/profile/05585964386930142907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-6697408331608162542013-09-13T11:34:19.960-07:002013-09-13T11:34:19.960-07:00pl-
Welcome to our humble blog . . .
Al-
Needle...pl-<br /><br />Welcome to our humble blog . . .<br /><br />Al-<br /><br />Needless to say I see the Russian move a bit differently . . . hopefully will have something up this weekend. Working day tomorrow . . . seydlitz89https://www.blogger.com/profile/15431952900333460640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-76884711886339399332013-09-13T08:22:54.809-07:002013-09-13T08:22:54.809-07:00And while the world was focusing on Putin's ro...And while the world was focusing on Putin's role as true defender of law and peace, Prime Minister Abe of Japan had sent his right hand man to Teheran to convince the Iranians to have Syria get rid of its chemo arsenal. Masahiko Kōmura, former Foreign Minister, former Defense Minister, and former Justice Minister was canoodling with Rouhani the day after the G20. As both countries were victims of WMD they have issued joint statements to that effect and that they stand against its use. Teheran has a lot of clout in Damascus - as much or more as Moscow - so hopefully this leads somewhere.<br /><br />Now some might want to claim that Putin put Abe up to this as part of his punking initiative. I have major problems with that line of thinking.mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-25258570509852128622013-09-12T23:34:38.580-07:002013-09-12T23:34:38.580-07:00IMHO, Putin is quite cleverly positioning himself ...IMHO, Putin is quite cleverly positioning himself and Russia as the true defenders of international law and peaceful solutions.<br /><br />He is casting Russia as the major non-violent player in this whole mess, and in a world that is weary of violence, much of which involves the US abroad, he's got a sympathetic audience. Stating <i>"I welcome the president’s interest in continuing the dialogue with Russia on Syria"</i>, could easily imply to a sympathetic audience that Russia is the leadership in this issue, especially in light of his championing the UN and "wisdom" of its charter and "The Veto" in promoting world peace.<br /><br />Clearly, he suggests the US would be operating outside the law:<br /><br /><i>From the outset, Russia has advocated peaceful dialogue enabling Syrians to develop a compromise plan for their own future. We are not protecting the Syrian government, but international law………….The law is still the law, and we must follow it whether we like it or not. Under current international law, force is permitted only in self-defense or by the decision of the Security Council. Anything else is unacceptable under the United Nations Charter and would constitute an act of aggression.</i><br /><br />Interesting that he suggests Russia agrees to subordinate itself to international law, but the US does not. Whether or not it is international law that has led to Putin's policies toward Syria, he sure can claim the moral high ground on the basis of his actions. And actions speak louder than assumed motives.<br /><br />With a significant portion of the US population opposing armed intervention in Syria, crafty Vlad is not just painting himself and Russia as "law abiding members of the world community", but a friend of the American people who share his rejection of a military solution. With the Right’s knee jerk hatred of BHO, Vlad has probably gained sympathy from a fair number of them.<br /><br />The guy is quite clever. He has basically painted the US, based on our actions over the past decade or so, as the rogue bully.<br />Aviator47https://www.blogger.com/profile/05585964386930142907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-34689041163768616162013-09-12T20:42:09.217-07:002013-09-12T20:42:09.217-07:00also, when bho and others say they are not aiming ...also, when bho and others say they are not aiming for regime change, yet arm the rebels, that is an attempt to punk us all. It doesn't even make sense.<br /><br />I see no false flags or clever Machiavellianism here; just contempt for the people.no onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01354534884958815612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-46660524657143615082013-09-12T20:20:34.672-07:002013-09-12T20:20:34.672-07:00pl, "No-one - false flags work both ways and ...pl, "No-one - false flags work both ways and not only internationally. Beware of Americans punking each other for political advantage."<br /><br />I understand that.<br /><br />If our leadership - our elected representatives - are busy punking each other when something as serious as war is on the table, then we have an unserious leadership that has made punks of itself, in totality, as well of us, The People.<br /><br />This is a fairly simple situation, IMO, if we are not punks. Israel is not a 51st state. Our interests and theirs can and do diverge. Let them not dictate our ME policy. The Syrian "rebels" are comprised of our enemies. These are intractable enemies. Therefore, first and foremost, they must be crushed out. Assad poses no threat to us. Help him crush the rebels and gain a few concessions in the process. Perhaps even gain some negotiating points with Iran. End of story. Any thinking of a more grandiose nature is pure folly and is doomed to fail.<br /><br />The American people are ready to understand this approach and accept it.no onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01354534884958815612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-18384250434114201852013-09-12T15:11:43.368-07:002013-09-12T15:11:43.368-07:00That would be a good post Seydlitz. I for one wel...That would be a good post Seydlitz. I for one welcome it. <br /><br />Putin's words: <i>"My working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust."</i> and <i>"I welcome the president’s interest in continuing the dialogue with Russia on Syria."</i> It does not sound like to me that those are the words of a man who 'punked' Obama as some have tried to claim.mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-34510530751197729382013-09-12T14:56:40.535-07:002013-09-12T14:56:40.535-07:00Interesting times gentlemen . . .
I'm thinkin...Interesting times gentlemen . . .<br /><br />I'm thinking about doing a post on President Putin's Oped in the NYT . . . very interesting from a strategic theory perspective . . . But then I also have to work . . . vacation's over . . . along with the summer . . . and my sabat . . . <br /><br />We'll see what happens . . . it'll be fun . . .seydlitz89https://www.blogger.com/profile/15431952900333460640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-52032222205252146062013-09-12T11:50:45.441-07:002013-09-12T11:50:45.441-07:00No-one - false flags work both ways and not only i...No-one - false flags work both ways and not only internationally. Beware of Americans punking each other for political advantage.plnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-84125876360509326582013-09-12T11:24:28.468-07:002013-09-12T11:24:28.468-07:00NBC is reporting that rebels have rejected Russia&...NBC is reporting that rebels have rejected Russia's deal (whereas Assad accepted it immediately). If the rebels don't have chemical weapons why reject the deal? Why even offer it to them in the first place. Of course, the IC KNOWS that the rebels have chemical weapons and is pretty sure it was they who used them and that is the answer to both questions.<br /><br />The BHO as machiavellian genius for peace gambit is looking quite wrong at this point. <br /><br />Putin punked him and his administration and he's going to look even stupider as this thing drags on. <br /><br />HOW DOES A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AWARDEE SUPPORT RADICALS THAT HATE THE US AND KILL US WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, USE AND SEEK TO RETAIN CHEMICAL WEAPONS, CHOP HEADS OFF CHRISTIANS, etc?<br /><br />Prediction, BHO ends his term mired in the lowest approval rating of any POTUS ever and the US image, domestically and abroad, is utterly destroyed as a senseless stew of stupidity, hypocrisey and violence.<br /><br />"Yes we can!"<br /><br />no oneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-68775722708351843922013-09-12T10:12:27.046-07:002013-09-12T10:12:27.046-07:00My point is that our 'inner 17-year-old' i...My point is that our 'inner 17-year-old' is no more trustworthy than his pet, 'our gut'.Barry DeCiccohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04735814736387033844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-90313037747326256242013-09-12T07:15:19.960-07:002013-09-12T07:15:19.960-07:00Putin is quite eloquent! Using the words from our...<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/opinion/putin-plea-for-caution-from-russia-on-syria.html?ref=global-home&_r=0" rel="nofollow">Putin is quite eloquent</a>! Using the words from our own Declaration of Independence to trash the notion of American exceptionalism. <br /><br /><i><b>My working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust. I appreciate this. I carefully studied his address to the nation on Tuesday. And I would rather disagree with a case he made on American exceptionalism, stating that the United States’ policy is “what makes America different. It’s what makes us exceptional.” It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal. </b></i>Aviator47https://www.blogger.com/profile/05585964386930142907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-26342443143803380652013-09-11T15:39:08.009-07:002013-09-11T15:39:08.009-07:00Al,
Thanks for the link and info - I had complete...Al,<br /><br />Thanks for the link and info - I had completely forgotten about the ties between Christians in Russia and Syria. Andynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-71286997509222247202013-09-11T13:35:12.881-07:002013-09-11T13:35:12.881-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-29944117461098434142013-09-11T13:34:02.634-07:002013-09-11T13:34:02.634-07:00Meanwhile, back at the Ranch
http://news.firedogl...Meanwhile, back at the Ranch<br /><br />http://news.firedoglake.com/2013/09/11/kerry-and-mccains-source-for-moderate-syrian-rebel-claim-fired-for-fraud/<br /><br /><br />bbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-72972316528136431922013-09-11T10:39:36.097-07:002013-09-11T10:39:36.097-07:00Here's the link:
http://www.ekathimerini.com/...Here's the link:<br /><br />http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite3_1_10/09/2013_518138<br /><br />Perhaps the Patriarch of Moscow, who knows the Patriarch of Antioch, put the bug in Putin's ear to defuse (forgive the pun) then chem weapons issue. Used our "Orthodox Secret Handshake"?<br /><br />I wouldn't sell Patriarch John X of Antioch short in his ability to garner "peaceful" approaches to the current conflict. +John X has an <a href="http://www.antiochian.org/biography-his-beatitude-john-x-patriarch-antioch-and-all-east" rel="nofollow">exceptional academic and pastoral background</a>, and is well acquainted with Metropolitan Hilarion, the Director of the Russian Orthodox Church's Department of External Affairs, another impeccably educated and experienced young man who is a close adviser to the Patriarch of Moscow. +John X has been calling for a diplomatic solution to end the suffering of all Syrian peoples, without taking partisan political sides. Similar appeals to the Obama administration by the Antiochian Archbishop of North America has received no response.<br /><br />+John X's brother, Bishop Boulos is one of the two Syrian bishops who were kidnapped at gunpoint last April, while on a humanitarian mission to Aleppo, and are still unaccounted for. He has more skin in the game than the average duck.<br /><br />It would not surprise me if +John X called upon the Patriarchate of Moscow to push Putin for a non-violent approach to the chem weapons deal. he's a sharp cookie, as is +Hilarion, the External Affairs guy. Both of them were lecturers at Cambridge when the wife and I studied there 1999 - 2003. We not only spent classroom time with them, but socially, and were quite impressed with their sophisticated worldview. <br /><br />If the Church was involved, it would definitely have been totally behind the scenes, as political action is forbidden by Canon. But then, if they were seeking humanitarian ends, it is not political. Further, having a Christian leader broker a sensible approach would only inflame the Islamic extremists. Putin is the perfect "front man".Aviator47https://www.blogger.com/profile/05585964386930142907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-89994896393860700062013-09-11T09:39:45.493-07:002013-09-11T09:39:45.493-07:00@Andy - "I'm just glad this stupid war go...@Andy - <i>"I'm just glad this stupid war got turned off for a while."</i><br /><br />Me too. <br /><br />As for the details, I for one am glad to see the KGB guy get some points internationally. And if that hurts Obama's credibility I am sure he is laughing up his sleeve regardless of whose idea it was originally. Perhaps as you say it was not Obama. Although something eerily similar was suggested in the press by a couple of US congressmen more than ten days prior to Putin's surprise. <br /><br />Or it could have been someone else at the G20 that dropped some hints to Putin. Svenn's dear leader Ms Merkel maybe? Erdogan and King Abdullah were there. Surely not France, even though President Hollande was a socialist, that probably does not carry much weight in todays Russia? In any case I do not believe it was a trap as you mention. mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-69094575314733898292013-09-11T09:18:03.648-07:002013-09-11T09:18:03.648-07:00broken link Albroken link AlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-84788583127634986082013-09-11T04:04:33.262-07:002013-09-11T04:04:33.262-07:00Mike,
IMO, the question from the press and the an...Mike,<br /><br />IMO, the question from the press and the answer given by Kerry were extemporaneous. I could be wrong, of course, but it doesn't appear to be an act to me. The Russians, wisely, pounced on Kerry's comments. They are playing a much more sophisticated game than we are.<br /><br />In the end I don't really care about those details, at least in the short term - I'm just glad this stupid war got turned off for a while. Long-term, I have little confidence in the upcoming negotiations, but one can always hope.Andynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-57832968115793814782013-09-11T01:04:11.458-07:002013-09-11T01:04:11.458-07:00Here's one view of the status of the US, Europ...<a href="http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite3_1_10/09/2013_518138%22Here's" rel="nofollow">Here's one view </a>of the status of the US, Europe and Russia on the world stage as the Syria drama plays on.Aviator47https://www.blogger.com/profile/05585964386930142907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-80670037977941062142013-09-11T00:53:56.383-07:002013-09-11T00:53:56.383-07:00The difference between the Russian initiative and ...The difference between the Russian initiative and a US initiative to remove chem weapons from the Assad arsenal is that the latter is based on a threat of arms, and the former is not. Thus, Assad gets "credit" for a willingness to engage in diplomacy if he goes with the Russian approach, rather than bowing to a military threat with the US approach.<br /><br />Vladimir Putin may be a thug, but he's not stupid. Since 9/11, the US has shown a propensity for using "diplomacy" more for gaining allies in a desire to make a military strike, than to solve the "problem" the strike was allegedly addressing. Putin has thus painted himself as a "true diplomat", providing a solution without the threat of military action to get the desired results. Meanwhile BHO has offered that a military strike is the only solution, and has been pounding the streets, domestically and overseas, to recruit support.<br /><br />Personally, I don't see the value of the primary objective being "punishing" Assad. To me, the optimal initial solution is to get chem weapons off the table. Then the world needs to turn to diplomatic and humanitarian means to end the suffering, on a long term basis, without regard to who ends up in power.<br /><br />Slightly different topic:<br /><br />Keep in mind, that about 10% of the Syrian population is Christian, primarily under the Patriarch of Antioch. Also under the Patriarch is the Church in Lebanon, Iraq, parts of Turkey and some other Muslim countries. Toppling or driving out the Patriarch gives Islamic extremists a boost in rooting out Christianity in not just Syria, but most of the area. Assad has not allowed persecution of the Church, at home and abroad, and has actually negotiated some accommodations for co-existance between historic Christianity and Islam. Look at Egypt, under the Patriarch of Alexandria, for a sneak preview of what Islamic extremists have in store for the native Christian population and Church.Aviator47https://www.blogger.com/profile/05585964386930142907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381917167978264683.post-77744823191466218302013-09-10T21:00:09.096-07:002013-09-10T21:00:09.096-07:00Barry - My inner 17-year-old is still getting me...Barry - My inner 17-year-old is still getting me in trouble at 70. Mrs Mike manages to keep him in check though.mikenoreply@blogger.com