IRANIAN GENERALS …WHO IS KILLING THEM?

Rumor has it, yet another Iranian General has been killed in Syria… another Revolutionary Guard General? 

I’ve lost count, but I’m fairly sure this makes eight or nine in apx the last year!

Now, is that unusual? It depends on whose military we are talking about.

If any Western military lost more than one general in a years’ time, the alarm bells would sound as if there was a five alarm fire in the Pentagon!  

So, for that region of the world, is it that unusual?

Yes!

Are there different doctrines on the issue of how involved General Officers are in an actual combat zone? 

Yes!

Is there a difference in the degree of the professional training of General Officers; in this case, the Iranian General Officer core?

Yes.

Are there difference in the process for protecting General Officers?

Yes!

So is the concept of a much higher number of General Officers being killed in the Syrian conflict really that unusual?  

Yes!

So, let’s dig into what is really going on.

 Protecting the Leader:

When it comes to be actually up in the combat, contact zone,

Iranian Generals are much more “hands-on” than Western Doctrine allows.

The problem is, the Iranian’s know this and should be taking very definitive “measures” to counter the threat of their leaders being that “engaged”. What we in the West referred to as “PSD Operations”…. Personal Security Details…. A very highly structured process that is reviewed around the clock 365 days out of the year. 

If we assume, dangerous I know, the Iranians have taken “measures” to counter the issue of their key leaders operating in high threat areas, then it’s very obvious whatever “measures” they have taken are not working!

After the first GO killed, those assigned to protect them went under the Iranian “looking glass”.

After the 2^nd death, that person was most likely replaced.

After the 3^rd, that who planning team was “removed”.

After the 4^th, 5^th, 6^th….. well… Panic…. Panic on the part of those who are being held responsible and panic on the part of those Generals who are being sent to replace the ones being killed.  For those that know their history, they may have had images of Stalingrad!

So, so far we know two parts of the puzzle.

1.     Iranian Leadership is being very effectively targeted.

2.     The Iranian process for countering what is taking place is not working.

Identifying the Enemy:

Who is killing the key Iranian leaders in Syria?

The I.S. Rebels or other factions like them?

Are they that good?

Are they able to identify “Patterns of Life” so well they can continue to reach their target?

Just what level of intelligence would that require?

Are they being killed all in the same fashion? Car bombs?

If we assume the drastic measures the Iranians should be taking to prevent losing their General Officers, then how is the level of intelligence being acquired?

Is it beyond the capabilities of the I.S Rebels and those like them?

If so, then the next question becomes even more tantalizing.

Who next on the suspect list?

The Russians?

Ah… now there is one that is really juicy and here is why.

Everyone who has been following the real details of the regional conflict understands the events in Syria are far more complex than just the Rebels and a sectarian civil war. It’s about global power and the Tsar playing chess with the West over the future of Europe as well as the control of regional oil. 

Most also realize the “Vision” of the Russians is NOT the “Vision” of the Persians!

Who is really calling the “shots” in Syria and who resents what is being dictated?

Interesting if you look at who has died in Syria since the Russians decided to make that conflict part of their Chess game….. hint… that “play” started long before the arrival of Russian Jets in Syria.  

Do the Russians have the ability to execute, play on words there, such a campaign as killing key Iranian Generals, no matter what protective measures the Iranian’s take?

Yes!

So, are they the primary, “suspect”?

Perhaps!

Is there anyone else?

The US or the West?

Laughable given this administration can’t find its way out of the room of international politics, much less pull off a sophisticated campaign like the one we are talking about. Drones… that is the weapon of choice with the US administration and that process has a footprint that would lead right back to the White House….Just ask anyone in Pakistan.

Anyone else?

Um…………………….. MOSSAD? ….did I say that?

Who works for whom over in land of lawlessness…. Who will do what for the sake of money? How do you create an action without anyone knowing who really put the action in motion?

 Next topic!

Failure to adapt and why:

Anyone with a tactical background looks at this issue and tilts their head like a dog and high pitched sound!

How in the world does this continue?

After thinking about this for the past few months, I’ve come to one conclusion that is worthy of putting on paper.

At the beginning of this post, I stated the degree of professional development between the West and countries like Iran’s military is sharp contrast at almost every level.

Five years ago, the Syrian Military was unleashed on its own people, long before I.S  and other well trained, dedicated “Rebels” came onto the scene. For nearly the first year, the defection level of key Syrian military leaders, at all ranks, but especially at the Combat Leadership level, was telling.  The process of turning one’s own military on its own civilian population is a recipe for social destruction. Short answer here….. Brain drain!

As the fight turned into an armed struggle and the resistance became aggressive and organized, the relentless engagement of the Syrian military became a huge factor. In fact, if you search this site, you will see I addressed this issue over four years ago.

As the Syrian military began to fail, the realization inside the leadership of Iran was simple, they were going to lose control over Syria. Syria had lost control over Lebanon in 2005 and now the Iranians were going to lose control to Syria. Their overwhelming fear of a  Sunni driven “Arab Spring”, yes they blamed the Saudis and the West for the Arab Spring, was their number one fear….. a movement that would lead to the downfall of the Iranian government. For that reason alone, they could not allow Syria to fall into the hands of the Sunni Rebels.

Now, it was going to be too complex, at that moment in time, to simply drive the Iranian military into Syria, so the decision was made to use the  next best thing, Hezbollah. A fighting force that was expected to easily be able to defeat the ragtag Rebels and quickly bring order to the Syrian countryside.  Well, it didn’t work!  The Rebels proved to be far more committed and ruthless than Hezbollah had banked on.  Remember, Hezbollah was designed to do battle against a very scripted and rules based IDF.  When it came time for Hezbollah to go door to door with an enemy that was as determined as the Rebels, a group that had no “rules”, well, Hezbollah met it’s match. You see……..Hezbollah had spent far too much time marching in parades with their yellow flags, boasting of their great victory in 2006,2008 against the IDF.. a victory in their own minds!   They were simply not prepared for a dealing with a  well-armed, very determined group of experienced killers.  Yep.  They were outmatched.

Meanwhile, back in the HQ of the Iranian leadership, even more panic was setting in. Not only had the highly coveted Syrian military been neutralized, but the “secret proxy weapon of the Iranian nation, Hezbollah was on its knees, doing little more than holding ground on the Lebanese border. Panic! That was the end result!

Then…………..the phone rang!    It was the Tsar!  “What are you doing? How could you screw this up? Come to my office immediately and we shall talk this over”!   So off went Soleimani, who by the way, also believed the battle for Syria was being lost. Lost even though the Iranians had countered by forcing Saudi to deal with Yemen….even though Iran Republican Guard Units, who were not officially in Syria,   were already trying to hold onto Damascus.  Hat in hand, the great Soleimani was dispatched to the Borg Spaceship…..Moscow!

Here is what the Russians and the West knew have always known. The Syrian Military and the Iranian Military were all about parades and shiny new vehicles!  All about holding scripted “Exercises” that would demonstrate the prowess of their fearless armies….ready to strike a mortal blow to their enemies!  Driving past their leaders and giving over exaggerated salutes! There was and is no, JRTC, / Joint Readiness Training Center, NTC/ National Training Center….no unit level evaluation process where true combat skills were trained and documented by truly professional instructors that helped professional Commanders at all levels of command understand the real capabilities of their units.  The truth was and in Iran case is, undeniable.  Their militaries are Paper Tigers! Failure was the outcome from day one of the Syrian revolt! Hezbollah was the only true combat proven option for ether nation and that configuration was not designed to fight the battle that was taking place in Syria.

So, the Iranian and Syrian military operations in Syria was fired! Fired by the one person who had the power to fire them without an open revolt…………….The Tsar!

Now, the Tsar needed the Iranian and Syrian military to continue being involved, at least on the surface.  He had studied the mistakes of Afghanistan and knew his status would be impacted greatly, especially in Europe, his real area of concern, if he just marched the Russian military into Syria.  Yep, he needed the parade armies, but he would not count on them again.

As Soleimani left his meeting, he had to feel defeated. He was one of the few Warriors of the Iranian military. He was the Commander of the only slice of the Iranian military that had any real sustained combat capability. He was one of the heroes of the Iran/ Iraq war. He knew he had just taken a knee in front of the Russians for the sake of saving Persian homeland. He would not see his land fall to the Arabs, but he would see the Russian Flag atop the political pole and the dreams of the next Persian Empire slip back into being just that, a dream! The Arab “Rebels” had shown the world what the West already knew; the great Persian military was not capable of defending the future of Iran!

When this message was spoken to the Iran Leadership, it had to have been more than a shock! Had they thought their great military leader would return from Moscow with the message the Persians would “rule the day”? Did they truly not understand this was not just about them? Did they not anticipate the Tsars grand plan?  Was he simply going to save Syria for Iran’s sake?

Anger! Anger is what the reaction had to have been and with the anger came the guidance.

“General…..We will not allow the Russians to dictate the future of Syria. We will not sit back and watch the West negotiate with the Russians on the terms of Assad’s future!  We demand results and you will get results! If your forces are not getting the job done, then send more of them. If they need leadership, then send it! We demand results from our illustrious Elite Guard”!

So, the Generals go parading in, trying to do what any true leader should do; motivated a demoralized force. Think about it! A Syrian military member has witnessed his own military be torn to shreds by the Zombie Rebels…..then he witnesses the glorious arrival of the Yellow Flags of Hezbollah…..the “real Warriors”…. Only to see them knocked to their knees…..then the true saviors show up on the battlefield…. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard! Just when the Syrian military thinks all is lost, hope returns. Then, something strange begins to happen. A number of key IRGC            Commanders began to be killed, and it continues, no matter what actions are taken.  Soon, the unthinkable takes place and panic, true panic sets in not just for what is left of the Syrian Military, but more importantly for the Iranian military. The Undefeatable / the modern-day version of the “Immortals” of the Persian Army are stopped in their tracks!  Soon, rumors of Damascus pending fall shakes what is left of the Syrian nation…..even Assad himself begins to panic.  All is now truly lost     ! And just when it seemed it was time walk away from the battlefield and start walking to Europe, enter the Russians!

The course of the conflict changed with the landing of the first Russian fighter Squadron. It not only changed for the members of the Syrian military who now, after five years of combat, were proven fighters; those that live…..get better….but it changed for the Iranians as well.

The edict from the religious leadership, the leadership Soleimani was deeply loyal to, had not changed. “ Iran must be in control of events in Syria”! 

The Russians were now the heroes of the Syrian Military and being near a Russian unit most likely meant nobody was going to get to you, at least not right then. 

The IRGC was in a position they had never seen before, they were not the Heroes! They had been the driving force behind the Shia militia groups who fought the West in Iraq. They had been the trainers of the Yellow Flag Warriors!  But now, now they were second fiddle to “real” military on the ground…….The Russians!

What was the end result for the Iranians? What did it all mean to the IRGC and their leader, Soleimani? I tell you what it meant…. The Generals continued to die! As a matter of history, the pace they were killed actually increased! What was the answer? How was Soleimani going to answer the demands of his leadership?  Well, he did what any true Leader would do, he took himself to the front! His Commanders knew the true tactical skills of their troops and they understood the only way to keep them moving forward or even holding on was to “lead” and lead from the front! That is why they became such easy targets. They risked everything to keep their forces relevant. In the pending reality of defeat, what Commander would not disobey procedures designed to keep them as individuals safe? No real leader would stay in the rear. This is a situation Western Commanders have not faced since in over 60 years…complete sacrifice!

In the end, Soleimani did what his dead Generals had done, he went forward. Forward into a battle zone where no real lines exist. Who is the person next to you? Is he really loyal to the same side you are on and how do you really know. Syria is not a typical conflict and the ability to “secure the rear” is nearly impossible. Securing “forward” areas, whatever that may be in Syria, is not even describable.

Then it happened! The Iranian version of Paton was struck on the battlefield. Yes, even Soleimani’ s protective team could not keep him safe! Rumors flew! He was dead.. he was critically injured and flown back to Iran!  To the Russian troops and the Syrian units working under them, this most likely meant nothing. “ Who needs the Persian Hero, we have the Russians with us now”? How could a combat veteran, Syrian fighter think anything different?

Meanwhile, in the capital of Iran, the news must have hit like a earthquake! Why can the radical Islamic Leadership in Iran stay in power? What is the key to their survival amongst their own people? The IRGC….that is the key!  Without the IRGC, the threat to the overall survival of the zealots would grow exponentially and they knew it….now it!

He came home, badly wounded and in the eyes of his leaders, a failure! Could they punish him?

Could they chastise him?  Could they even think of removing him from his position of power?

NO! Not even a second thought would have been given to something that outrageous. He was and is a true Iranian Hero and even more so after once again being wounded in battle!

All was lost from the Iranian leadership viewpoint. An incompetent military was placed on the battlefield with the typical “limitations” political leaders place on their militaries. “Fight…but fight with unmanageable limitations and end the fight with victory”! These are the guidelines of old men who do not travel to the battlefields and smell the Sulphur coming from pools of warm blood!  

What does it all mean:

The Syrian conflict was exploited in Iran’s desperate struggle to contain the “Arab Spring”; and the attempt to keep if from reigniting the fires that almost toppled Iranian leadership in 2009.

The Syrian conflict exposed the flaw in modern day, kinetic energy, conventional militaries; the inability to deal with insurrections fueled by weaponized social media. A problem compounded by leadership that is tyrannical and desperate, in charge of militaries that parade more than they train. Militaries that buy “toys” for the purpose of those parades.

The Syrian conflict quickly turned into a struggle between world powers, one willing to step away from the responsibility of leadership and one ready to regain its status.

The Syrian conflict became a struggle between regional rivals who came to the realization  the West was no longer interested in keeping peace in a region of the world the West  had completely  misaligned at the end of WWI. Their “mess” was no longer their mess to fix!

Today, some bastardized version of a temporary ceasefire is taking place in Syria. A product of desperate Western leadership wishing the whole event would go away and A Russian leader who continues to play Chess making up his own rules as he goes.

Who is killing the Iranian Generals in Syria?

Remember. It’s not who pulls the trigger, but who does it benefit?

I think we have our answer.

https://yallasouriya.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/syria-iran-brigadier-hassanli-shams-abadi-killed-by-rebels-in-aleppo-rif/

IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM “DEAL”…. OLD KINGDOMS!

I was shocked to hear the West and Russian were at odds over the level of commitment of Iran to the nuclear deal!  Iran states they are being asked too many questions and being given too much homework. The West, mostly Europe because the US refuses to shine a light on what a terrible “deal” this was, states the UN inspector’s report is not detailed enough. Last but not least, the weakened UN says they are providing the right ‘mixture’ of detail! 

So what does it all mean? 

The Russians continue to call the shots in just about everything that goes on in international affairs, as the US admiration simply counts on an ignorant population to not even care. The death of American Exceptionalism………it’s working!

What is so pathetic about this story and those along the same lines, is how feeble the pushback is.

Evidently, the definition of “really giving it to them” is basically a statement along the order of, “we strongly disagree with the opinions given, but we continue to ‘talk’ about the issue”!

Yep, this is the mark of progressive, passivism.   They “Talk” until they have to give in, then they announce a hard fought “compromise”.

So, is this disagreement really about the Russians siding with the Iranians on the amount of information they must submit to the UN inspection teams?

No!

It’s all about the Russians showing the rest of the world, those bothering to watch, their ability to assert their will over the West. 

Let’s face the facts!

The emerging leaders in Europe see a much more securable future with the Tsar than they do with the current European Union leaders who have the perception of giving Europe away to the Immigrants from the Middle East. 

The Tsar knows if he continues to play the chess game correctly, he will set in motion the election of hardline, nationalistic leaders that will be more willing to move Europe into a joint alliance with a strong world leader than continue to look at the aftermath of what was once American Exceptionalism. 

This will hold true for the Gulf States in the Middle East and the first hints of this have already been seen.  http://sputniknews.com/business/20160308/1035966783/russia-global-oil-supplies-control.html

No, this is not just about Iran’s nuclear program.  This is about, what it is always about….world dominance. Who is the new “King of the Hill”?

Here is my question. 

Did the old King get defeated or did the Kingdom pass into the hands of someone who wrecked it; for you see, this is usually happens to Kingdoms!

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/03/08/Russia-West-differ-on-UN-report-on-Iran-s-nuclear-program.html

ERDOGAN’S GRIP ON TURKEY AND THE PENDING ARREST OF THE TSAR!

It was that long ago nobody was allowed to put their eyes on the Emperor of Japan!

I wonder how much longer it will be before Egodan….my old nickname for him… sees this as the logical next step.  I even read today where they are filing charges on Putin for “insulting” Egodan!!!!! What???  Seriously?  I bet the Tsar had a good laugh over that one!

So you can’t insult this guy? You can’t write new stories he doesn’t support and evidently you can’t protest in support of International Women’s Day?

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve commented on this guy, I would have enough money to pay the fine I would probably receive for talking about him.

Are these the actions of a NATO partner?

No, but none of this is news to any of the NATO members are anyone else that has been paying attention for the past 15 years.

It’s also not news Egodan is demented Egomaniac!  The problem is, he is a madman running lose in a region of the world that is being held together with bubble gum and a shoestrings.

Again, not new news!

The comments by the EU on the actions he took against the press in his country, something he has been doing for over a year now, were somewhat encouraging, but in the long run, will it make any real difference? I think we all know the answer.

Oh, and back on the topic of his gigantic ego, it was just today the Turkish government asked for a few BILLION Euros to help offset the cost of the refugees living in Turkey!  One just has to wonder if Egodan has ever heard the expression, “Timing is everything”?

I guess it could have been worse for the EU today. He could have filed charges on them for making him angry!

Look, the short story is, this guy is a nutcase and once again….that’s not new news!

But need I remind everyone, this nutcase is challenging another very dangerous individual who is far more powerful than the Ottoman Madman……..Yep….The Tsar!

The actions of this man would be laughable if it were not for the overall status of the region and the person he seems to be locked in mortal, and it could very well end up being mortal, with makes this story all the more dangerous.

With each passing day, I simply wait to see what outrageous act he will institute next.

Showing Turkman Rebels how to operate heavy weaponry, just inside the Turkish border and then shelling the Kurds in Syria, all during a “truce”, should have been the story of the day, but then again, if you take put the press that disagrees with you, who’s going to write the story.

By the way, that story did get published and I would imagine he has his legal team filling charges on them as well. 

If this event didn’t strike you as serious, then let me put it to you another way.

Imagine waking up in the morning and finding out Fox News in the US or BBC in England were  raided by the federal government and provided “new management” within 24 hrs.

Would that shock you? It shocked the people of Turkey, but showing your “shock” now days in Turkey is a good way to land in prison.

I hope Putin has a good legal team himself. I just wonder how Egodan is going to serve that Warrant in Moscow?

 

https://www.rt.com/news/334756-turkey-women-rally-police/

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/turkish-police-storm-tv-channels-linked-erdogan-foe-gulen-n452791

CHINA AND THE MIDDLE EAST………   “COMPARE AND CONTRAST”

Now, when I was a Freshmen in College, I had a Professor, Sister Bernice and she LOVED the dreaded “ Compare and Contrast” Essay! I would walk  into the classroom on test day and there it was……Compare and Contrast the….bla….bla….bla….. Well… I couldn’t walk out, she was way too mean!

Well, unfortunately, that hated format is most likely one of the most impactful styles of analyzing on the topic of the  US’s polar opposite stance in the Pacific and the Middle East.    So, here I go!

Comparing the two regions of the world:

When this administration came into office back in 2009, it seemed determined  to “right the wrongs” of nation and was hell-bent to do so as quickly as possible, with the exception of Immigration Reform, something the Democrats never really wanted in the first place… not if they want to keep the Union money flowing! Remember…they owned the White House / The House and the Senate for two years, but when have facts ever gotten in the way of political leaders on the stump? Ok, I took my shot, now, back to my topic.

It was clear the, “take a knew and bow your head” world tour was a great ploy if someone was looking for the Nobel Peace Prize and it that since both regions of the world may have been given the same message……the Universal, “We are sorry….we are ashamed…we will not do it again”! Granted, the tour Bus didn’t really stop in the Middle East or the even the Pacific, but the message was clear to both parts of the word, there is a new day in the US and that new day is based on the US not wanting to lead anymore…..oh ya…. And we are sorry!

So how did this universal communication translate to both regions of the world?

In the spirit of focusing on “comparing”, let me comment on what our “Old Allies” probably interpreted.  “We are leaving”!

The US’s Pacific partners, most likely quickly had to hold internal, national level, huddles do determine what message the US was sending and what did it mean to them?

 Now, I will admit, the process of international relationship building always takes place and this was not an event the new Administration in the US invented. What changed was the perception of a radical shift in doctrine for the US.

Just as the “Partners” of the Pacific began to question what the new US message was and what it would mean to them, so was the story of the Middle East “Partners”. 

And so class, this is the first example of “Compare”! Uncertainty became a crack in the world’s stability that up to that point was at least controllable…not perfect…. But far more stable than today!  (For those of you wondering…yes…. I am implying the death of American Exceptionalism has resulted in a very dangerous world…….absolutely)!

Our Partners in both regions of the world began the process of forming new “Alliances” based on the concept of having to “fend for themselves”. By the way, this same process is now underway in Europe as they sit back and watch a wave of immigration they cannot control… an immigration wave that is the result of the US’s actions in the Middle East! Don’t buy that statement? You don’t have to. It’s the one Putin is using all over Europe as he pulls Eastern Europe and perhaps even Central Europe back into his camp! If you are not looking, open your eyes!

The Gulf States stood up, on paper at least, the new Arab Military Alliance! The Pacific nations did the same. One worried about the Persians and their Russian Masters and the other, the Dragon! And while both of these events were taking place, the tone in the US seemed to be, “good….it’s about time”!  Naïve, but understandable. All that money being spent on protecting these people who don’t even like us….we could spend it on our own people!  Yep, Naïve, but understandable.

As these new “Partnerships” were hastily being formed, an even more dramatic change was taking place and once again that change was the direct result of the “Bow you Head” tour.

The Dragon and the Tsar saw not just an opportunity to remove the US from the title of World Leader, they event began to envision a US where it’s reaming Allies would look on in astonishment as the US step backwards…time and time again! Yes….. the opportunity to push the US off the world stage! The Dragon was changing and the US didn’t see it coming, well, some did, but they were never listen to….greed and profit are powerful drugs! The Dragon was moving it’s economy to an internal market and the reliance on the US / West / was going to decrease, thus worrying about the status of the US was only a temporary issue. As soon as the whole Pacific understood who the real King was, the export business would surge forward. The second coming of the Ming Dynasty, only this time around, they have sailed the seas and planted their colonies well. “They need us more than we need them”!! The words of idiots!

So, you see, the second “compare”, the one that in the long run will end up being far more important was centered around  both regions coming to terms with the fact  they had  new “Leaders” and if the regions didn’t like the old one, then they better be ready for the new!  Ask the Rebels in Syria! 

The Pacific was made up of Allies abandon and scrambling for protection. 

The Middle East, well…….ditto!

Single “compare” statement……………… Abandonment!

Contrasting the two regions:

What is the “contrast” part of this discussion? How do the events of the Pacific differ from the events of the Middle East? It’ a hard cell given the two, strategic arguments I just put on paper, but I’ll take a shot at explaining my position on “contrast”.

Why did the US administration make such a bold announcement about focusing on the Pacific? Why did the US go from the “Bow your Head Tour” to the, “You better not move” chest pounding? Did someone convince a very inexperienced President, on world matters that is, that a real danger was simmering in the Dragon’s cave? What happened? I’ve ready several versions of what drove the current US administration into this stance, but I remain confused by the common thread all these theories seem to hold.  The West / US / was far to economically dependent on the trade routes of the Pacific to allow the Dragon to simply overtake the slice of the world.

Simply put, the US could pump oil, but we could not produce 200 dollars IT gadgets.  Yes, the administration was openly opposed to US oil independence all in the name of environmentally sensitive voters and most likely the President’s own beliefs.  Yet, the one sure fire way to get out of the seemingly unsolvable Middle East scenario was to not be dependent on the regions oil!  Green energy concepts, what a disaster that was, seemed to be the administration party line. But, along with the Green concept, came the quiet support for oil / gas development; not openly, but quietly with constant, public statements of “we are against that”.   

So, somehow the administration sees the correct path to be based on challenging the Dragon in the Pacific and yet let the Middle East and to the most part Europe, go!

Complex?

Yes.

Irrational?

Well, most are still scratching their heads, especially are old “Partners”.

I will agree with the argument the Middle East was an open conflict zone that had centuries of quagmire for the Western political leaders. When you placed this on the plate of a President who was not an “internationalist” and lived by a Progressive, pacifist doctrine, it’s not a wonder the US came to the conclusion it was time to disengage the Middle East. Does that provide an excuse for the insanity that came about of this doctrine? Let history be the judge of that.

Somehow, the Pacific became worth fighting for, but the Middle East and ultimately Europe was not. Why do I continue to toss Europe into the mix?  Does anyone think NATO is willing to fight the Tsar or his proxies for the sake of Latvia? Really? The Tsar doesn’t! By the way, look for the Ukraine to start phase 3 of the Tsar’s Master Plan in the near future. Why not…. Who is going to stop him?

Back to the question, why the Pacific? Why did the Pacifist leader of the US try and roar like a lion over the issue of the Pacific? Was it just trade routes? If a Chinese Navy ship made port of call in every major bay of the region, would that really impact the price of a IPhone?

Wait! What was that? Did I mention the fear of no longer getting low cost comedies from China?

If the standard of living rises for the Chinese and everyone in the region they lay claim to, does the US consumer still get the same phone that would cost them 4 or 5 times as much if it were made in the US?  

Can the administration convince the American people to work at wages that would not even allow them to own a car or a house?  If everything  made in China suddenly cost what it would take to make them in the US, what would the results be?

The Pacific is the land of low cost, high demand commodities, items the US population is addicted to and I do mean “addicted”.

 Chinese slave labor is the engine of world trade.

Ugly statement?

You bet!

Is it true?

You bet!

People love to speak of the injustices in the world, but don’t mention what is taking place in China………Look the other way……..” LOOK…..SQUIRREL”!!!

Ok, what is the administration worried about? Why the willingness to stand fast in the Pacific?

Can the rest of the world afford to have the Chinse increase the standard of living for all of China? Can every Chinese citizen be allowed to afford a car….a house? 

What happens when that IPhone cost is acceptable to people of China, but not the rest of the world?

Do we suddenly start making “cheap” IPhones in the US?

Does a nation 17 TRILLION dollars in debt have the investment room to replicate what it can no longer afford coming from the Chinese factories? Who owns that Debt?

If the Chinese standard of living surpasses the US, who must take on a slave labor market mentality?

Do you think the US just asked the Dragon for yet another “loan”, when the Dragon has decided the loan has no or little return?

Look! The Chinese never jumped into the Capitalist Pool of economics to “Westernize” the Chinese people!

They had witnessed the Western hunger for the Pacific for hundreds of years. 

They chose to confront their ideological enemy by over feeding them, not fighting them.

Feed them until they are so “fat” they cannot dare live without you.

They weaponized Capitalism and we took the bait without even smelling it.

Cheap goods, until the day the goods no longer needed to be cheap!

We watched the Dragon grow for over forty years and the whole time, although some were worried, most looked on and said, “Wow….look how cheap that gadget is”?

Did the “Awakening” take place with the current Administration? Has the lightbulb come on in DC?

The Dragon’s plan is nearly complete and as it draws in a deep breath before letting out a ball of fire…..did the victim suddenly see flaw in their trust? 

Yes, this is the “contrast”. The Middle East and even Europe is not the Center of Gravity for the US. It is not oil! It’s cheap goods and huge debt!

The Center of Gravity is in the land of the Dragon and the Dragon is about to fly out of the Lair and at the last moment, the victims see the light!  The light of the fire in the Dragon’s chest!

As a side note, if you are one of those Keynesian economists followers and you’ve spent time on some University Campus listening to a highly educated so called expert, someone who understands the world from reading about it or attending a cocktail party, then go back to bed, for you believe that the old worn out story of “ supply and demand” will equal out everything!

Remember the word…..and the word is Naïve…. As you look into the Dragon’s mouth!  

LEBANON AND HEZBOLLAH… HAS THE GCC / SAUDI / HAD ENOUGH?

It’s not mystery how the Saudis feel toward Hezbollah. Is it new “news” that the CGG members now consider Hezbollah a “Terrorist Organization”?

So  why the press release now? 

Has the temporary ceasefire in Syria impacted the supported plans for the “Rebels”?

Has the past several months of losses at the hands of the Russian Military lead to a new strategy for Syria?

Can the GCC openly take on the Russian operations in Syria?

No!

Has the GCC determined to make Lebanon more destabilized with the end result being   Hezbollah supporters demanding a stop actions in Syria? Simply put, is Saudi going to make it painful at home for Hezbollah?

From the very first day Hezbollah was ordered to conduct operations in Syria, the Saudis knew full well the major families in Lebanon who make up Hezbollah were not happy? “This is not our fight… our job is to be ready for the IDF”. That was the basic line of thought coming out of Hezbollah’s base. Hezbollah’s losses have been far greater than reported and although the world may not be aware of this fact, the families of those lost absolutely understand the truth.

Has a “defeat” on front lead to the decision to place pressure on another front?

My opinion………..yes!

What is taking place in Lebanon at the hands of the GCC/ Saudi / is not about Lebanense government lack of support for the declared statements of the GCC.

What is taking place in Lebanon is the counter move to the victories the Puppet Assad and his Masters from Moscow and Tehran have achieved in Syria.

There is a temporary silence on many of the battlefields in Syria.

But, the process of destabilizing Hezbollah’s base is well underway and the alternatives for Moscow and Tehran are limited.

Russian bombers supporting Hezbollah in Lebanese airspace…… I think someone better talk to the IDF before that happens.

The game of chess continues!

https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/566678-nasrallah-disavows-angry-weekend-protests

https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/566679-pro-hezbollah-daily-lebanon-targeted-for-explosion

THE IRANIAN ELECTION RESULTS………WHAT DO THEY INDICATE? 

 So it looks as if the Iranian elections didn’t go well for the so called “hardliners”! 

Before we start jumping up and down and declaring victory for the “moderates”, we need to take a real hard look at a few definitions……….Iranian style.

In Iran, what is a “Hardliner”? 

Someone who calls for the destruction of Israel and see the US / West / as the Great Satan!

In Iran, what is a “Moderate”?

Someone who wishes for the fall of Israel and sees the US / West / as the primary reason for Iran’s problems.

Is this somewhat of an over simplification? Perhaps, but when you get right down to it, it’s as accurate as it needs to be.

So, what has or is taking place in Iran?

Did the West set this process in motion by coming to the table on the nuclear weapons issue?

Well, it didn’t hurt.  The people of Iran are young, demographically, and I would contend the world of social media is doing a great deal more for awareness in all parts of the world than any politically motivated process.

Will this apparent shift lead to an easing of tensions in the region; with Saudi?

Don’t bank on that happening anytime soon.

Will this apparent shift lead to the West / US / stating they got it right on the issue of working with Iran?

Absolutely, as a matter of fact, look for Hillary Clinton to take full credit for being part of this “shift” in Iran and she may do so by the time the sun goes down today!

Politicians never miss a chance to take credit for good news, even if they had nothing to do with how it came about.

Here is what I recommend we do contemplate. Back in 2009, the Iranian youth made a real effort to rise up and be heard as a voice of reason in Iran. It was a movement that predated the Arab Spring and some say it was the Father of the Arab Spring……only it started with Persian youth!

How did that turn out?

Who turned their back on the movement?

Who gave them hope and then walked away allowing them to be rounded up and crushed?

Yep…..the US…..Yep…. The current administration!

My advice to the Iranian youth is to not get those protest signs out too soon! 

Those they may believe helped bring this apparent leadership shift on in Iran, are the last ones they should count on.  Just ask the people of Syria!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35681250

SYRIA’S “PLAN B”….. HOW EMBARRASSING FOR THE WEST ?

Interesting how the Russians frame the issue of hearing a rumor over a “Plan B” for Syria.

Five years ago many argued the end result of a Civil War in Syria would be the partitioning of the country…..much like the theories that ran wild shortly after 2003 and the Iraqi conflict. 

What does dividing a nation accomplish? Why must it take place?

Well, the most simplistic answer is, English Engineers at the End of WWI.   When you get right down to it, the maps that were drawn up for the region set in motion the entire 100 years of strife.

So, if someone does have a “Plan B” for Syria, let me ask the question many are going to ask.

Is there a Plan B for the whole region?  How do you fix a mess created by a completely illogical process that took place nearly 100 years ago?

Now, about this so called Plan B; who came up with the “plan”?  

What are the details of this plan and just how will it be implemented?

So the US / West / states, supposedly, that military operations would not be ruled out to execute Plan B?  Who’s military…… what Alliance?   Did the Saudi’s give up a planning secret when they spoke of operations in Syria? Why did NATO say there would be no support for Turkey if they did take actions in Syria? How does that fit into Plan B?

Yes my friends it is the Western amateur hour once again! 

How could the Russians and the Iranians see this as anything but a feeble threat with absolutely nothing to back it up?

Could the threat be that  the West / US / would be willing to look the other way if the Northern Thunder Alliance decided to move on Syria?

So, to prove a point, the West / US / would be willing to let the region spin into an unpredictable conflict?  

The truth is, who knows……….they just might……………like I said………….It’s amateur hour all over again.

Oh by the way; if you could get  Vegas to let you bet on this current “Truce / Ceasefire”, at about 10 million to one, you could make a lot of money! 

The Turks and the IS fighters are going to honor a “truce”? 

Laughable…………amateur hour based on the desperate actions of clueless so called “Statesmen”.