Monthly Archives: February 2016

“ISIS continues massive retreat as Syrian forces advance towards Tabaqa” – TTG

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Pat Lang

Yesterday Leith Fadel of Al Masdar News reported the SAA offensive to seize the Al Tabqah Airbase is proceeding nicely. Several correspondents of SST have already noted this and commented on its significance. The map above shows just how significant … Continue reading →

Posted in Syria, TTG | 104 Comments

Ah… The Terrible Turks

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Andrei Martyanov

" …  a Kremlin statement made clear Russia was committed to its campaign against Islamic State and "other terrorist organizations", an indication that it would also target groups in western Syria where jihadists such as al Qaeda are fighting Assad … Continue reading →

Posted in As The Borg Turns, Current Affairs, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East, Policy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey | 48 Comments

Diplomacy must reflect reality and not be mere attempts at trickery.

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Andrei Martyanov

"The Syrian army looked poised on Saturday to advance into the Islamic State-held province of Raqqa for the first time since 2014, apparently to pre-empt any move by Saudi Arabia to send ground forces into Syria to fight the jihadist … Continue reading →

Posted in As The Borg Turns, Current Affairs, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Pakistan, Policy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey | 61 Comments

AMERICA AT BAY – EVADING DESTINY by Dr. Michael Brenner

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Andrei Martyanov

  Fading prowess is one of the most difficult things for humans to cope with – whether it be an individual or a nation.  By nature, we prize our strength and competence; we dread decline and its intimations of extinction. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 109 Comments

The Syria “Deal”

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Andrei Martyanov

"Statement of the International Syria Support Group 11 February 2016 Meeting in Munich on February 11 & 12, 2016, as the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the Arab League, China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, the Organization … Continue reading →

Posted in Syria | 97 Comments

“Finding Beauty in the Darkness” – TTG

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Pat Lang

"Scientists announced Thursday that they have succeeded in detecting gravitational waves from the violent merging of two black holes in deep space. The detection was hailed as a triumph for a controversial, exquisitely crafted, billion-dollar physics experiment and as confirmation … Continue reading →

Posted in Science, TTG | 60 Comments

In Re Syria:

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Andrei Martyanov

A number of things: R+6 is learning to fight together better and better.  It is clear that the Russians attached to the SAA have made major contributions in assisting; campaign planning, coordinating all arms, arranging re-equipping (T-90 tanks, aircraft, field … Continue reading →

Posted in As The Borg Turns, Current Affairs, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, The Military Art, Turkey | 79 Comments

Syria War Digest 10 February 2016

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Andrei Martyanov

  "The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and local militias liberated the town of Bashoura in the Northern part of Latakia province on Feb.8. The SAA also purged terrorists from the town of al-Hour town and deployed the force in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Syria | 41 Comments

Ideology and Hillary’s Foreign Policy by Richard Sale

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Andrei Martyanov

     The Founding Fathers “saw Americans as essentially no different from the general run of human beings; subject to the same limitations, affected by the same restrictions of vision; tainted by the same original sin or, in a more secular … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 98 Comments

If this were the U.S. and not Russia? Margaret Steinfels

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Willy B

  A rundown in the NYTimes (Feb. 9) is focused on those leaving Allepo and surrounds. The bombing of Russia and Assad are said to be the cause of this exodus and the pile-up at the border with Turkey. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Syria | 145 Comments