the middle east Thread

[Martino Quackavelli]

if true that would be due to an intelligence kerfuffle, time constraints, logistical issues or resources being deployed elsewhere rather than some realpolitik powerplay

 

[DarkSithLord]

So the Rebels have agreed to leave Aleppo. Where do we go from here?

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

Massive game of whackamole. Syria sends forces to retake Palmyra. More fighting in Aleppo. Takes Aleppo, the Homs pocket wreaks some havoc. Crushes Homs, fighting in Palmyra and Aleppo. The forces Syria will use to hold towns and cities aren't the same formidable forces they use to take 'em. They're conscripts. People are making out like this is the end, how do you expect Assad to hold these shells of cities and towns? There aren't a great deal of people left, shit Hizbullah is depleted as fuck thanks to this war and as impressive as Iran is they can't carry this on forever.

 

[NorfolkWomble]

Massive game of whackamole. Syria sends forces to retake Palmyra. More fighting in Aleppo. Takes Aleppo, the Homs pocket wreaks some havoc. Crushes Homs, fighting in Palmyra and Aleppo. The forces Syria will use to hold towns and cities aren't the same formidable forces they use to take 'em. They're conscripts. People are making out like this is the end, how do you expect Assad to hold these shells of cities and towns? There aren't a great deal of people left, shit Hizbullah is depleted as fuck thanks to this war and as impressive as Iran is they can't carry this on forever.

Where are you getting it that Hizbollah is depleted? From what I've read they are stronger because of this war.


Also, I think this really is the end for FSA types. ISIS will exist a bit longer, and that will go on, but we are already seeing FSA/rebel groups surrendering outside Aleppo.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Russia's ambassador to Turkey has just been assassinated. Surreal images of the killer who said it was 'revenge for Aleppo'.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Did it right in front of the cameras

https://twitter.com/Conflicts/status/810896989361754123

 

[Stevencc]

I don't think he's dead yet.

 

[Jockney]

Report I read earlier said 'seriously injured'. Has he snuffed it?

 

[mowgli]

Turkish police apparently "Neutralised" the gunman whatever that means.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

Means dragged around the corner and shot in the head most likely.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Report I read earlier said 'seriously injured'. Has he snuffed it?

Russian foreign ministry says he died according to the BBC.

 

[mowgli]

Report I read earlier said 'seriously injured'. Has he snuffed it?

Has been confirmed that he died with Russia promising revenge this could get messy to say the least.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

It's truly impressive how badly Erdogan has fucked up Turkey.

 

[Abertawe]

Who is this guy reppin then? Gotta say he put in a great performance. RIP to the Russian.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Already been ID'd as a serving Turkish police officer.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

Is assassinating an ambassador more legitimate than levelling a neighbourhood to possibly kill one jihadi?

 

[DarkSithLord]

The 21st Century version of the Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand I wonder?

 

[JaseTheVillain]

The 21st Century version of the Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand I wonder?

That was my initial, and very scary, thought too.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

The SDF's newest salient makes Syria look even stupider. Looks like a country of peninsulas.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

The head of one of the Russian Foreign Ministry's departments has been found shot dead in Moscow.

 

[Abertawe]

what the fuck
https://twitter.com/walid970721/status/811526383151304704

 

[Abertawe]

Question everything
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...eopele-arrested-egyptian-police-a7486541.html

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Question everything

why

 

[Abertawe]

why

So that the reality can be acquired.

 

[Abertawe]

Just a conspiracy http://www.parliament.uk/business/p...ts/written-question/Commons/2016-11-22/54336/

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

For all those who proposed teaming up with Assad to defeat Daesh.

 

[NorfolkWomble]

For all those who proposed teaming up with Assad to defeat Daesh.

And how many would die if Daesh or Al-Qaeda affiliates were in control? You paint it as a black and white choice when it isn't anywhere near as simple. The best thing we can do is either stay out of it or get involved and try and moderate Assad.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

I don't know, because they aren't in control. What I do know is any regime that executes over 10k people in one prison in 5 or so years is not a regime we should help at all. Christ, how on earth could we claim any kind of moral legitimacy after that? What kind of message do you think that would send the oppressed Sunnis in Syria? It'd send the message that the only people who could protect them are Daesh, and they'd have a point.

Daesh are a flash in the pan, an intervention on the side of one of the most appalling regimes in Middle Eastern history is not. That would have ramifications.

 

[Abertawe]

For all those who proposed teaming up with Assad to defeat Daesh.

Dudes being hanged in Syrian jails doesn't represent danger to me and my kind in the north of England.

I'm alright jack.