So the trial brought before the Dutch courts by the Dutch led Joint Investigation Team, ostensibly set up to find and bring to justice those responsible for the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014 begins today. We will see just how impartial the Dutch court system may be in determining the validity... Continue Reading →
‘Winning Hearts and Minds’ – Not
The US military, "winning hearts and minds" again. And, of course, working only for the benefit of the Syrian people. I think not. They must really like being hated wherever they go. "SYRIAN ARMY, LOCALS BLOCK ANOTHER U.S. PATROL IN NORTHERN AL-HASAKAH (PHOTOS, VIDEO)" - Southfront "Sir, those nasty locals, they wouldn't let us through... Continue Reading →
A Quick Note On Idlib Ceasefire
About the new ceasefire agreement in Syria's Idlib. One thing is very clear yet remains largely unstated. The war on terrorism goes on, and quite rightly so. So if you see reports about what the press calls the 'Assad forces' or similar, meaning the legitimate Syrian government military, army and air force and their allies... Continue Reading →
An Uneasy Settlement
There can be no peace arising from the latest ceasefire in Syria's Idlib province. The new Idlib ceasefire buffer zone is a purely temporary measure that can not possibly stand for any great length of time, if at all. Perhaps just long enough for all sides to lick their wounds and regather to finish the... Continue Reading →
Temporary Ceasefire in Idlib
"Russia reinforces Syria before Putin-Erdogan talks - flight and shipping data" - Reuters Fresh evidence of a Russian build-up in Syria before the Putin-Erdogan talks, held yesterday. Today, I have so far not seen a sane and balanced report of the outcome of those joint Russian/Turkey talks (so I will not share any of them... Continue Reading →
Syria Report: Russia On The Front Foot
"FIRST VIDEO SHOWING RUSSIAN MILITARY POLICE IN SARAQIB APPEARS ONLINE" - Southfront That's better. Some meaningful Russian ground presence, staking Syria's claim to hard won territory. Good to see. Not only this (and the renewed presence of Russian aircraft on the Idlib front line) but Russia has taken issue with Turkish propaganda on millions of... Continue Reading →
Russia Comes Good – Syria On The March Again
"SYRIAN TROOPS ADVANCE WEST OF SARAQIB AMID LAMENTATION AND WEEPING OF AL-QAEDA SUPPORTERS" - Southfront I may have been a little over-critical of Russian efforts in Syria's Idlib. There are reports of Russian aircraft in the skies again today and Syrian forces have retaken Saraqib and are moving forward again. They have also turned back... Continue Reading →
An End To Rose Tinted Reality
"This Ain’t No Foolin’ Around" - Kunstler I haven't been sharing Kunstler blog posts recently because he has mostly been involving himself in purely US domestic matters, of little concern to anyone else, but this item is hot on the spot and has made me realise that I too have allowed myself to be overly... Continue Reading →
Is Russia Turning Turkey?
Has Russia gone missing in Syria? There is no mention of any Russian activity in recent days to assist its supposedly allied partner, the Syrian government, in its struggle against a Turkish invasion. Other than the sending of two missile ships of the Russian navy through the Bosphorus, that is. I don't see what help... Continue Reading →
Not Something Else 