SANCTIONS ON THE TSAR...  THE SLAP THAT HAS NO STING!!!!

I believe I have had this pending conversation at least once or even twice before, but anyway, here I go again.

So the West imposes new sanctions on the Tsar… or as the press would have it; “slaps” him with them!

Good grief!

Well, that’s it!

I fully expect the Tsar to withdraw his forces from the border with the Ukraine and simply give up what is critical to his dream of the new Russian Empire; the Ukraine.

We all know these actions by the West have had a huge impact on the Tsar’s Master Plans in the past!

On top of that, the Tsar has a real history of buckling when someone bows up on him; why just look at how he ran away from the troubles in Chechnya and Dissidents in Moscow.

 Why; I would imagine the phone in the White House will ring any minute now and on the other end will be a blubbering Putin begging for mercy.

Ok, I am sure everyone gets my point by now, so let’s move on to where this “slap” is going to take us.

Let me start by trying to defend the actions of the West, as hard as that may be for a person like me.

What were the options?

What could the West do besides sanctions and this vicious “slap”?

Could we back the current government in the Ukraine?

Well, most pacifist in the West would say they are already doing such.

You see, to a pacifist, “talking” is a very powerful, emotional tool in the world of being judged by words and not deeds.

Could the West have openly supported Ukraine with items such as military hardware?

No.

You see, in the end, even the true Pacifist can sense danger and the Tsar has danger written all over him.

Secondly; as much as the passive West would love to see the Ukraine as part of Liberal Europe, they all know full well, the Ukraine is the Tsar’s backyard and you don’t step into the yard of someone who will come out the front door and beat your brains out!

Ok, so those ideas would work.

What next?

Could the West cause pain for the Tsar in other parts of the world he is interested in?

Ah.. now that would require two traits the West seems to be lacking.

1.  Unity!
2. Strategically vision.

Both of these time honored traits seem to no longer exist in the West.

The West / Democracy in general / has seemingly pulled away from the idea of freedom!

The price that must be paid from time to time that insures freedom, seems to be too heavy a burden for the slice of the world that calls itself “civilized”.

In the end, a team of academic advisors who have only read books or had cocktails on the topic of conflict walked into the offices of the Western Leaders and said, “if we do these economic things….it will hurt him and he may realize he needs to pull back”.

These are the words and these are the actions of pacifist dreamers.

 In the long run, these are the actions that tell only one story; the story of “wishful thinking”.

Maybe it will all just go away.

Perhaps the Tsar will wake up and realize what a terrible thing he is doing and change the entire course he has set Russia on.

Let’s close our eyes and all think happy thoughts!

And if that doesn’t work….well….we all know it’s GW’s fault!!!!

https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/international/557926-us-slaps-sanctions-on-russian-energy-arms-and-finance

ABBAS.. JUDGE YOUR DECISIONS BASED ON HISTORY.

In the tragedy that is now the conflict between Israel and Hamas, one fact seems to be lost, but not to Mr. Abbas.

Has everyone forgot what took place in 2007?

Has Fatah forgotten the ruthless attack the suffered at the hands of Hamas?

No.

Did Hamas “win” the hearts and minds of the Palestinian people trapped in Gaza?

No.

Has Hamas done anything to make life better for the people of Gaza?

Where did the concrete go that could be housing the women and children of Gaza right now?

It went to building bunkers that house the leadership of Hamas along with their weapons.

As the flares float over Gaza tonight, Mr. Abbas has as decision to make.

Save the Palestinian people of Gaza or ride support  the very group that killed it’s own people for the sake of power and money in 2007.

History is an undeniable fact, but it is a fact that must be accepted if it’s to make a difference.

The facts are clear.

Hamas is leading Palestinian dreams to their graves, but not Hamas leadership graves for you see; they are safe in their bunkers…bunkers built with the concrete meant for schools and hospitals…. And yes….. the children!!

Mr. Abbas…. save the people of Gaza……. Turn your back on Hamas….

Stand up now and tell the world Hamas must leave Gaza immediately.

Then and only  then can you demand, with the backing of the rest of the word, the gates to Gaza be opened.

HAMAS AND THE MIDNIGHT OIL IN TEHRAN

With no way out and supplies lines all but cut off, Hamas fighters have a grim future facing them.

Egyptian forces are preventing any form of relief from entering Gaza from the Sinai and this is a critical issue for Hamas and those who support them.

If Israel is willing to accept the dramatic increase in civilian deaths a full scale assault on Gaza would bring about, then Hamas may be looking at a crushing defeat.

Having said this and with the likelihood of this event taking place, it’s critical to return to the topic of, “what replaces Hamas”?

Two weeks ago, I addressed the issue of the Islamic Stage filling the void left by a devastated Hamas force.

That reality is closer now than two weeks ago and many in the West are beginning to understand that fact.

Is the pressure to slow the IDF based on civilian losses or is it based on the fear of what may come next?

IS forces are locked in a violent battle for the city of Aleppo along with holding ground in Iraq.

IS forces ridding to the rescue of Hamas is not going to happen and Hezbollah must make a strategic decision, perhaps sooner than they want to.

As the fate of Hamas is being decided, another even more dangerous decision is being contemplated.

The Persians!

If the grand plan for the Iranians has been based on Hamas and Hezbollah providing fighting elements in a future battle with Israel, then what would their loss mean?

Only five years ago, the planners in Tehran fully counted on Hamas and Hezbollah as they designed their war plans against Israel.

Now; everything has changed.

Hezbollah is stuck in the bloody streets of Syria even as they fear a pending battle in their homeland against the forces of the Islamic State.

Hamas is on the edge of complete destruction with no Allie anywhere near being in a position to save them.

 And now, rumors of yet another Turkish navel flotilla could be departing for Gaza.

Is Egodan willing to risk open confrontation with Israel over Hamas?

No.

Is he willing to do something dramatic to get his name back on the FrontPage of this event?

Yes.

Iraq in flames……Syria in flames…. Lebanon smoldering…. Hamas and Hezbollah in real danger of defeat……the Midnight oil is burning bright in Tehran and the feast of the eid al fitr  is not the reason.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/07/27/Egypt-army-says-14-jihadists-killed-in-Sinai-.html

IRAN…HEZBOLLAH AND THE PERSIAN BLUFF!

Last week, I commented on the “rumor” of Hezbollah coming to the aid of Hamas.

Then, two days ago, Hezbollah leadership makes statements on “supporting” Hamas.

Now, this story of Iran reaching out to Hamas through and with Hezbollah’s help.

So, what is going on?

Last week, my theory was based upon Hezbollah praying Hamas would not fall victim to the Islamic State movement after the IDF is finished with them.

Well, if anything, this story reinforces my stance and let me explain why.

What is more important to the Iranians, the survival of Assad, a leader who will never be able to lead again or Hamas as primary tool for actions against the IDF in a pending IDF, Iranian conflict?

Would the Persians want to see Hamas survive or even appear triumphant?

Yes.

If the priority of effort had to be delegated between actions in Syria and actions needed to keep the anti I.S. force, Hamas, afloat, what would the Persians chose?

Here is the reality that is hitting home in Tehran.

They can’t save Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Hamas all at the same time.

Who gets the support and who gets the IS?

If support for Assad declines, will the IS forces in Iraq move back into Syria and thus relive pressure on Iraq?

Who is closer to the border of Iran?

There is your answer.

Who sees this answer?

Yep…….the eye doctor.

Now, can Iran afford to have the IDF destroy the Hezbollah forces in Lebanon?

No.

So, what is the real message here?

Here is my shot at the answer.

Imagine how the briefing would go inside the White House.

“Mr President, we have reason to believe Hezbollah may be about to inter the conflict between Hamas and Israel”!!!!!

What pressure would that create?

What level of panic?

An administration that gets hammered every single day over have a disastrous foreign policy having to wake up to an even wider, more dangerous conflict.

Is this a bluff?

Most likely.

Will it work?

Well, the future of the national of Israel will not be decided by the White House.

It’s a dangerous bluff, if that is truly what it turns out to be.

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/nasralla-relation-renewed-hamas.html

RUSSIA’S NEXT STEP IN UKRAINE.

What is the significance of “official press statements”?

Do governments hold such events for the simple task of trying to not look like they are incompetent?

There was a time when “official statements” were the prelude to action.

Governments used press conferences to build their case for action.

In the old days, the “Official briefing” was a prelude to bigger, more important events.

Are those days gone in the West?

So a thirty something “kid” steps up to the podium, stumbles over the word, “Artillery”   and then tells a story of continued arms supply from one side to another.

All the time, the real shakers and makers in the world, code for those in Moscow, watch….well maybe…. and laugh!

What was the purpose of this “evidence” announcement today?

What is going to change?

Nothing…..that’s what!

Is someone really….really …really gona show the Tsar this time?

“ We really…really …..really mean it….we are not happy”!!!!

Good grief!

Why does this still photo in the attached story look like something right off of Saturday Night Live?

Is the Tsar forcing the issue over the Ukraine?

Has he changed his mind on gone back on the offensive?

No.

He’s not changed one ounce of effort from day one.

The West has continued to hope this issue will just go away and we all know hope is not a plan.

How much effort needs to be exhausted on the topic of the Ukraine?

What is going to change?

The Ukraine is in the Tsar’s backyard and the Tsar’s message is clear.

“ I will do whatever I want…when I want”!

Where is the EU?

In the fuel bucket owned by the Tsar, that’s where.

So, let’s stop worrying about, “ what’s next ….what are we going to do”?

Nobody in the West has the backbone to stand up to the Tsar and he knows it.

Russian Artillery firing into the Ukraine?

Someone tell this young lady at the state department to move on….nothing to see here…. Next topic!

Only one person is going to unravel the Tsar and that is the person he sees when he looks into a mirror.

https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/international/557328-us-evidence-moscow-firing-from-russia-on-ukraine-troops

SYRIA… HAS IT BECOME THE “FORGOTTEN WAR”?

For over three years now, I've traveled back to the topic of Aleppo and what it means to the Rebels as well as Assad.

Once again, the story of Aleppo has crept into the news; well……almost!

When was the last time any of us heard an update on the events in Syria; in Western media that is?

Assad bombs his own children every day of the week and where is the outcry?

Rockets fly into innocent homes and nobody riots in Paris!

Does the UN even talk about Syria anymore?

What’s the count in Gaza and Israel…… 700 or so?

What’s the count in Syria…… creeping up on 200,000, but who is counting?

Aleppo; the stronghold of the “resistance”?

Is it really?

What is the “resistance”?

Who is the “Resistance”?

Does anyone remember?

Does anyone care?

If Aleppo goes back into the hands of Assad and his Persian Masters, is it over?

Does Assad and the Iranians win?

What is the definition of winning?

Aleppo is a rotting pile of death of concrete dust; that is what Assad will win back.

And what of the “resistance”?

Do the tea drinking “moderates” head back to the Ottomans and plot for the next twenty years?

Is the fall of Aleppo the end of the Islamic State forces?

Will Assad apply what is left of his forces to Iraq and once again do the bidding of the Persians?

If Aleppo falls, does Hezbollah finally go back home to Lebanon?

Once again the “Battle for Aleppo” is about to begin…..again!!!!!

What will it achieve?

What is left of a city that no one has the money to rebuild?

 Soon, the dead will fill their shallow graves and in the end, nothing will change in what was once known as Syria!

And in the end, the truth will be this!

No one seems to care anymore.

Oh and by the way; if I was a betting man, I would place a month’s pay on Hezbollah’s homeland and families paying the price for the assault on Aleppo.

“Hit the enemy where they are not”!

CEASE-FIRE TALKS AND THE EGO OF ERDOGAN.

Ok, I have to admit, reading a statement from Egodan that Sisi is a “Tyrant”!

What????

Did I read that right?

Did egodan call Sisi a “Tyrant”?

Perhaps he was looking in the mirror and got confused who he was addressing.

In the battle of Egos, does Egodan, yes… I still call him that, truly see Sisi as a tyrant?

Um….What’s that old expression; “the Pot calling the Kettle black”.

Egodan, the world leader who has his staff beat the family of miners killed in an accident who dared to approach egodan for answers.

Does the Ottoman Ruler think for a minute that Egypt is going to drop to its knees and allow someone else to be seen as a leader in the region?

Let me think for a minute…. Who has been a civilized nation longer???? Oh ya….Egypt!

Perhaps the issue is this.

Perhaps Egodan is infuriated that Sisi is not allowing him to look like a world leader just a month out from his Presidential run.

You know, his presidential run where he is telling the people of Turkey he should  empowered to make all decisions as the new Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

As for the fate of Hamas, well, Egodan knows his ability to shape that future is limited at best and that is what aggravates him the most….letting his servants.. .. I mean his citizens see him as second fiddle in the region.

Sisi has Hamas right where he wants it and Egodans ugly words are not going to change a thing.

Sisi may be many things to many people, but he is one thing at his core…. He is a combat Veteran General Officer and that is something Egodan cannot take credit for or emulate.

The fate of Hamas does not rest with Turkey and that is not going to change.

I would end this segment right there, but there is a problem.

Egodan is just that, an Egomaniac!

Revenge…

That is what he will look for.

How dare that Egyptian ignore the Ottoman Sultan!

Quick…someone bring him a commoner to beat!