Explain it to me: Why are Russian airstrikes in Syria a big deal?

[mystery-ak]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/01/world/russia-syria-airstrikes-explainer/

By Holly Yan, CNN

Updated 9:17 AM ET, Thu October 1, 2015

 (CNN)Is Russia really targeting ISIS with airstrikes in Syria? Or is it doing something the U.S. considers more troubling?

Russia stunned the U.S. on Wednesday by giving it just a one-hour heads-up that it was going to pummel ISIS targets. U.S. aircraft should stay out of the way, it said.

The problem, analysts say, is that Russia doesn't seem to be pounding ISIS targets. Instead, they say, Russia appears to be attacking rebels to help crush Syrian dissent and bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Either way, Russia's new attacks can have big ramifications not just for the Syrian civil war, but for the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS.

continued

[ABX]

The news that has me more concerned is that Russia has started up a draft again, so they are planning something greater than what they can handle with their standing army. They initially are drafting 150K troops but there is no indication they are stopping there.

I don't trust Russia's intentions with this, especially with how she works with Iran. They may be setting up to help Iran position a larger role in the area.

[Relic]

The news that has me more concerned is that Russia has started up a draft again, so they are planning something greater than what they can handle with their standing army. They initially are drafting 150K troops but there is no indication they are stopping there.

I don't trust Russia's intentions with this, especially with how she works with Iran. They may be setting up to help Iran position a larger role in the area.

This nation is too stupid, distracted and mired in self absorption to be a factor.

We will take our well earned seat in the second world and like it.

[GourmetDan]

The problem, analysts say, is that Russia doesn't seem to be pounding ISIS targets. Instead, they say, Russia appears to be attacking rebels to help crush Syrian dissent and bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Don't know why it would be any big surprise to eliminate your ally's opposition first.  Then your ally can be more help when you move on to other targets.

Besides... if we know where the ISIS targets are... why haven't we hit them?

[aligncare]

The news that has me more concerned is that Russia has started up a draft again, so they are planning something greater than what they can handle with their standing army. They initially are drafting 150K troops but there is no indication they are stopping there.

I don't trust Russia's intentions with this, especially with how she works with Iran. They may be setting up to help Iran position a larger role in the area.

I believe at least some of Putin's motivation in Syria is rooted in his late life conversion to Christianity.  I think he understands the threat that Islam poses and is sincere in his desire to contain virulent Islam.

As EC already explained, Iran is just another bad political player that happens to be a Muslim nation.  It is not virulently Islamic. Those Muslim countries adhering to Wahhabism are probably as great threat to the world as is political Iran.

Also, Russia enjoys a historically strong, stable, and friendly relationship with Syria, with a growing number of Russians living in Syria.  In addition, Russia's only Mediterranean naval base for its Black Sea Fleet is located in the Syrian port of Tartus. So this move by Putin makes some sense from a geo political standpoint.

[Scottftlc]

This one is pretty simple...Obama is weak and feckless, a dope-smoking hippy enviro-wacko.  Putin is protecting his country's geopolitical interests while at the same time attempting to stabilize a strategic ally that has descended dangerously into anarchy.  It's an old tale - if there is a vacuum, something will fill it.  Russia did not like how this vacuum was being filled, so they stepped in at about the last moment, while they still had their old friend Assad around and kicking.

[alicewonders]

It has been pointed out that these Syrian rebels that Obama and McCain have been so insistent on training and arming to take out Assad have, for the most part, handed their American furnished weapons over to ISIS and then joined the movement themselves.  It makes sense that Putin would want to take them out first - they are basically Obama's guys and Obama wants rid of Assad.  From Putin's point of view, it makes perfect sense. 

Obama thinks he has been playing chess all this time, but he is a fool and his puppetmasters will only ever allow him to play checkers. 

The saddest part is that the American people are even bigger fools.

[DCPatriot]

IMO, Putin's presence in Syria is an attempt to put back a semblance of stability into the region.   Not merely social or military stability, but also economic stability.   Without petro dollars the entire region would settle into chaos.

I also think he's playing a shell game with Iran, until he cleans up Obama's mess in Syria.  Why fight a two front 'enemy' if you don't have to?

We all know that the USA is behind the anti-Assad rebels in Syria.....as if we didn't already learn that in the Middle East in Iraq, Egypt and Libya... dictatorships WORK. 

Furthermore, the Russian and Iranian rules of engagement are "KILL THEM ALL", instead of the USA's concept of dithering and self-defense on patrol.

It's my feeling that the 150,000 Russian military draft call is just in case NATO goes insane...and possibly also to construct a military presence in Syria like we do/did in Germany, Korea and Japan.

Let's all admit that Putin would never imitate Reagan, should 300 Russian soldiers be killed in their barracks.  He would never retreat.

[EC]

Russia has exactly zero interest in totally removing ISIS. While ISIS is fighting in the Middle East, any jihad prone Muslims in the former Eastern Bloc countries are going to gravitate there - not Russia. It makes the whole counter terrorism thing easier if the terrorists go elsewhere!

The initial game though is simply to push them out of Syria while bolstering Assad (whom, it must be remembered, the Daesh despise). Into Iraq if necessary, though I'd not be surprised if an attempt wasn't made to push the scum into Western Turkey - simply so Putin can ride to the rescue, lop an increasingly reluctant Turkey off NATO completely, and establish permanent free passage of the Bosphorus for their Black Sea fleets.
Iran would go along with that quite happily - a Turkey as a client state of Russia is a lot less of a threat to their ambitions than a Turkey with dreams of empire.

Just my take.

[DCPatriot]

Russia has exactly zero interest in totally removing ISIS. While ISIS is fighting in the Middle East, any jihad prone Muslims in the former Eastern Bloc countries are going to gravitate there - not Russia. It makes the whole counter terrorism thing easier if the terrorists go elsewhere!

The initial game though is simply to push them out of Syria while bolstering Assad (whom, it must be remembered, the Daesh despise). Into Iraq if necessary, though I'd not be surprised if an attempt wasn't made to push the scum into Western Turkey - simply so Putin can ride to the rescue, lop an increasingly reluctant Turkey off NATO completely, and establish permanent free passage of the Bosphorus for their Black Sea fleets.
Iran would go along with that quite happily - a Turkey as a client state of Russia is a lot less of a threat to their ambitions than a Turkey with dreams of empire.

Just my take.

I'll acquiesce to your knowledge and experience of the region, EC!   

[massadvj]

Not coincidentally for Putin, there is the advantage of driving hundreds of thousands more Muslim refugees to Europe and wrecking NATO with all the economic and cultural upheaval that is going to cause.  Also, it distracts the EU from Ukraine.

These are not actually Muslim refugees, however, but Eurosocialism's chickens coming home to roost.

[aligncare]

Let's all admit that Putin would never imitate Reagan, should 300 Russian soldiers be killed in their barracks.  He would never retreat.

Even Obama bin Laden (pardon my Freudian slip) understood people are drawn to raw, naked, power.

Gotta admire Putin. If America had a leader as strong as Putin, the Middle East would not be in flames, ISIS would be confined to a few nuts screaming in mosques, and America and the world would be be a better place.

[Relic]

Let's all admit that Putin would never imitate Reagan, should 300 Russian soldiers be killed in their barracks.  He would never retreat.

Even Obama bin Laden (pardon my Freudian slip) understood people are drawn to raw, naked, power.

Gotta admire Putin. If America had a leader as strong as Putin, the Middle East would not be in flames, ISIS would be confined to a few nuts screaming in mosques, and America and the world would be be a better place.

If America had a leader as strong as Putin, the msm would mobilize the public in an all out effort to impeach said leader.

As it stands, Americans are unaware, and just don't care. Americans have some very hard lessons coming.

[ABX]

No matter what people think of Putin's strength or his so-called religious conversion, don't forget that he rules like an oligarch and he does not have the best interest of the US in mind. There is still a strong Soviet streak in him. Doing what you think is the right thing, but for the wrong reason and wrong long term goal, is still wrong, even if it does rile up some baser short-term reaction.

[aligncare]

No matter what people think of Putin's strength or his so-called religious conversion, don't forget that he rules like an oligarch and he does not have the best interest of the US in mind. There is still a strong Soviet streak in him. Doing what you think is the right thing, but for the wrong reason and wrong long term goal, is still wrong, even if it does rile up some baser short-term reaction.

And Obama rules as a ...what?

[DCPatriot]

No matter what people think of Putin's strength or his so-called religious conversion, don't forget that he rules like an oligarch and he does not have the best interest of the US in mind. There is still a strong Soviet streak in him. Doing what you think is the right thing, but for the wrong reason and wrong long term goal, is still wrong, even if it does rile up some baser short-term reaction.

At least American boys and girls are not getting killed for nothing..... 

[EdinVA]

The problem, analysts say, is that Russia doesn't seem to be pounding ISIS targets. Instead, they say, Russia appears to be attacking rebels to help crush Syrian dissent and bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Either way, Russia's new attacks can have big ramifications not just for the Syrian civil war, but for the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS.

So the question is, who is telling the truth, putin or obama?
We have not "bombed" the "north" because obama says ISIS is not there, putin says otherwise?
Have we been protecting ISIS and putin got fed up with it?

[bkepley]

So the question is, who is telling the truth, putin or obama?
We have not "bombed" the "north" because obama says ISIS is not there, putin says otherwise?
Have we been protecting ISIS and putin got fed up with it?

Interesting thing, the Israeli ambassador was on a little bit ago and seemed hopeful about the Russians which should give some idea how far US influence has fallen.

[Scottftlc]

Interesting thing, the Israeli ambassador was on a little bit ago and seemed hopeful about the Russians which should give some idea how far US influence has fallen.

And who could blame Israel for dealing with Russia in cooperation?  The United States is at best worthless and at worst an enemy.

[aligncare]

And who could blame Israel for dealing with Russia in cooperation?  The United States is at best worthless and at worst an enemy.

Yep.  And without even saying his name we all know who's fault it is .... Donald Trump's.

Had you going, didn't I?

(The proceeding was a paid political announcement brought to you by Citizens for Irrational Posting. Not endorsed by any of the lunatics on this website, except bkepley  )

[bkepley]

Yep.  And without even saying his name we all know who's fault it is .... Donald Trump's.

Had you going, didn't I?

(The proceeding was a paid political announcement brought to you by Citizens for Irrational Posting. Not endorsed by any of the lunatics on this website, except bkepley  )

Take a break aligncare...you're getting as bad as DC.

[aligncare]

Just yanking your chain. No harm no foul, eh? 

[Godzilla]

I believe at least some of Putin's motivation in Syria is rooted in his late life conversion to Christianity.  I think he understands the threat that Islam poses and is sincere in his desire to contain virulent Islam.

As EC already explained, Iran is just another bad political player that happens to be a Muslim nation.  It is not virulently Islamic. Those Muslim countries adhering to Wahhabism are probably as great threat to the world as is political Iran.

Also, Russia enjoys a historically strong, stable, and friendly relationship with Syria, with a growing number of Russians living in Syria.  In addition, Russia's only Mediterranean naval base for its Black Sea Fleet is located in the Syrian port of Tartus. So this move by Putin makes some sense from a geo political standpoint.

Historical relations with Syria only after the Baath party and Assad's father came to power.  We're talking about, at most, 40-50 years.

Not hundreds of years.

[Godzilla]

Russia has exactly zero interest in totally removing ISIS. While ISIS is fighting in the Middle East, any jihad prone Muslims in the former Eastern Bloc countries are going to gravitate there - not Russia. It makes the whole counter terrorism thing easier if the terrorists go elsewhere!

The initial game though is simply to push them out of Syria while bolstering Assad (whom, it must be remembered, the Daesh despise). Into Iraq if necessary, though I'd not be surprised if an attempt wasn't made to push the scum into Western Turkey - simply so Putin can ride to the rescue, lop an increasingly reluctant Turkey off NATO completely, and establish permanent free passage of the Bosphorus for their Black Sea fleets.
Iran would go along with that quite happily - a Turkey as a client state of Russia is a lot less of a threat to their ambitions than a Turkey with dreams of empire.

Just my take.

This is my worry.  By taking out the non-ISIS, pro-western rebels, it will strengthen Assad.  Then Russia can leave ISIS alone as a magnet for all their crazy Chechens.

And Assad can play ISIS off the west for concessions and support.

[Godzilla]

So the question is, who is telling the truth, putin or obama?
We have not "bombed" the "north" because obama says ISIS is not there, putin says otherwise?
Have we been protecting ISIS and putin got fed up with it?

WTF?

Did you tune out the fight for Kobani?

That's on the border with Turkey... ie: the north of Syria.  We've been bombing the north of Syria to aid the Kurds.