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U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in Syria

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The Obama administration is weighing the opening of a new front in the air war against the Islamic State in Syria, part of an offensive to push back militants along the western part of Syria’s border with Turkey and create a relatively safe zone for U.S.-backed Syrian rebel forces to move in.
Nic6390845.jpg

Under the plan, U.S. aircraft flying from Turkey’s Incirlik air base would target positions the militants currently hold along the border north of Aleppo, eastward toward the besieged town of Kobane. Turkish special forces would move into the area to assist the targeting and help Syrian opposition fighters consolidate their hold on the territory.
syria-safeZone.jpg


Cont... U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in Syria - The Washington Post
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

So Obama may open a new front in the war without a name. Im conflicted on this, while it MAY help us fight ISIS in western Syria, what about the rest of the ISIS territory? What if Turkey decides to cut us off in the future? What effect will supposed movement of ISIS (if they dont just pose as FSA and remain) have on the Kurds? If it goes as planned, we will have a more efficient means to attack ISIS but to what ends if Obama lacks conviction?

Most importantly what about Iraq? Obama is still doing nothing of substance there, the Iraqi military lacks jets and guided weapons for meaningful strikes and yet they are responsible for over 80% of the strikes now going on. This could just complicate things in the region without demonstrable benefit, frankly Obama still wont commit in Iraq (save for a few troops in advisory roles) and token airstrikes.

This could have implications throughout the entire region and here in the US. Perhaps Obama is just floating this to see what the response is.

ISIS is in gray.
1178px-Syria_and_Iraq_2014-onward_War_map.png
 
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Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Looks like we're settin' up camp in Syria after all, boys.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

In the mean time, Iran is launching air stikes in Iraq. :doh

Yeah while the New Iraqi PM just sacked 24 of his Officials.....looks like there will be some changes taking place politically, again.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Yeah while the New Iraqi PM just sacked 24 of his Officials.....looks like there will be some changes taking place politically, again.

I hope they are for the better. They can't count on the US under Obama for anything.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

I hope they are for the better. They can't count on the US under Obama for anything.

Well, this new PM for Iraq has already come out saying he doesn't trust us.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Well, this new PM for Iraq has already come out saying he doesn't trust us.

I can't blame him. I see this ending in one of 3 ways, none are pretty.

-ISIS stays and now Islamism has a base to attack everywhere (not just its neighbors but the west, killing, raping, and enslaving as they do.
-ISIS is suppressed by Iran, which now has a proxy state in Iraq. Bad for our interests, good for Russia and obviously Iran.
-The US commits ground troops (likely after Obama) and we have a second insurrection.

Its a crap sandwich and we all have to take a bite. :doh Im just thinking of all the people that have died and those that will die because Obama pulled out leaving Iraq to the wolves.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

I can't blame him. I see this ending in one of 3 ways, none are pretty.

-ISIS stays and now Islamism has a base to attack everywhere (not just its neighbors but the west, killing, raping, and enslaving as they do.
-ISIS is suppressed by Iran, which now has a proxy state in Iraq. Bad for our interests, good for Russia and obviously Iran.
-The US commits ground troops (likely after Obama) and we have a second insurrection.

Its a crap sandwich and we all have to take a bite. :doh Im just thinking of all the people that have died and those that will die because Obama pulled out leaving Iraq to the wolves.

There is a fourth option but nobody takes it seriously. That is start commissioning letters of marque and reprisal to PMC's and let them go play with ISIS. Also selling weapons and intelligence to the Kurds and let them handle ISIS and establish a Kurdish state. They would be more than amiable and we would stay out of the conflict.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

There is a fourth option but nobody takes it seriously. That is start commissioning letters of marque and reprisal to PMC's and let them go play with ISIS. Also selling weapons and intelligence to the Kurds and let them handle ISIS and establish a Kurdish state. They would be more than amiable and we would stay out of the conflict.

The problem is that both the Turks and Iranians can't stand the Kurds, I dont know that they will work together. The Kurds will and are working quite well with the Iraqi's.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

There is a fourth option but nobody takes it seriously. That is start commissioning letters of marque and reprisal to PMC's and let them go play with ISIS. Also selling weapons and intelligence to the Kurds and let them handle ISIS and establish a Kurdish state. They would be more than amiable and we would stay out of the conflict.

Libertarians confuse me. They oppose 'dangerous military adventurism' then tell you the answer is to allow corporate militias to go on an unsupervised rampage through the Middle East with official sanction of the United States government.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Libertarians confuse me. They oppose 'dangerous military adventurism' then tell you the answer is to allow corporate militias to go on an unsupervised rampage through the Middle East with official sanction of the United States government.

Do you know what a letter of marque and reprisal is?
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Do you know what a letter of marque and reprisal is?

Who doesn't at this point? It's only been the biggest Paulbot foreign policy suggestion other than 'end the war'. Sorry if I think licensing corporate militias to go traipsing after our enemies in reprisal raids and assaults, all in the name of the United States, isn't a great idea.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Who doesn't at this point? It's only been the biggest Paulbot foreign policy suggestion other than 'end the war'. Sorry if I think licensing corporate militias to go traipsing after our enemies in reprisal raids and assaults, all in the name of the United States, isn't a great idea.

Do you know how they work?
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Oh good grief.

I got t5o go to bed. I will explain how it works later and illustrate it for you. You may be surprised how it really works. I will leave you with this. How does a PMC or privateer with a letter of marque and reprisal, get paid if we are not paying them, and they are paying us?
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

I got t5o go to bed. I will explain how it works later and illustrate it for you. You may be surprised how it really works. I will leave you with this. How does a PMC or privateer with a letter of marque and reprisal, get paid if we are not paying them, and they are paying us?

Your argument cant really boil down "No, no, no, we aren't paying them! We just sold them the license to kill and pillage." We are still obviously responsible for their activities and are sanctioning their behavior.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

There is a fourth option but nobody takes it seriously. That is start commissioning letters of marque and reprisal to PMC's and let them go play with ISIS. Also selling weapons and intelligence to the Kurds and let them handle ISIS and establish a Kurdish state. They would be more than amiable and we would stay out of the conflict.

Mornin' Pirate. :2wave: there is another option and it all involves under the table and off reservation solutions. But it also can give letters of Mark to those that would be willing to put an end to ISIS and any of their likes.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

In the mean time, Iran is launching air stikes in Iraq. :doh

Link?

Didn't know that, but it's gotta be anti-ISIS air strikes, so I can't complain.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

This should work great, I mean we've already turned Afghanistan and Iraq into safe zones.....oh wait
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

This should work great, I mean we've already turned Afghanistan and Iraq into safe zones.....oh wait

Worked for Libya didn't it?
glasses12.gif
.....:roll:
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

The Obama administration is weighing the opening of a new front in the air war against the Islamic State in Syria, part of an offensive to push back militants along the western part of Syria’s border with Turkey and create a relatively safe zone for U.S.-backed Syrian rebel forces to move in.
Nic6390845.jpg

Under the plan, U.S. aircraft flying from Turkey’s Incirlik air base would target positions the militants currently hold along the border north of Aleppo, eastward toward the besieged town of Kobane. Turkish special forces would move into the area to assist the targeting and help Syrian opposition fighters consolidate their hold on the territory.
syria-safeZone.jpg


Cont... U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in Syria - The Washington Post

Reporting I've seen here on this is that it's the Turkish government that is pushing this as a condition of continued US access to Turkish bases and airspace.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Reporting I've seen here on this is that it's the Turkish government that is pushing this as a condition of continued US access to Turkish bases and airspace.

Im not surprised, they aren't very happy we are there and quite worried about ISIS. Im sure they know how to play Obama like a chump.
 
Re: U.S. considers opening new front against Islamic State to create a safe zone in S

Im not surprised, they aren't very happy we are there and quite worried about ISIS. Im sure they know how to play Obama like a chump.

That could be - Turkey doesn't exactly have clean hands in this whole mess.
 
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