THE ISLAMIC STATE FORCES…HOW TO DEFEAT THEM?

 After the events of today, it’s impossible to even approach a topic today that doesn't involve the topic of the Islamic State Forces.

For all the talk and all the rambling at the political and talking head level, the core question continues to be, “ what can be done”?

What can the part of the world that is opposed to this movement do to stop what is taking place?

Here are a few cold hard facts that cannot be overlooked.

When a world that is still, at least for now, dominated by Western media sees events such as the ones today, how do most of the people really feel?

Those in the US are “outraged”!

Those in Europe are “saddened and some are even angry.

In India?

In China?

In Africa?

In Russia?

In South America?

Did it make the news?

Yes.

Did it impact them to the point of stopping what they were doing and joining some US Department of State Coalition?

Probably not.

Just a few short days ago, a few hundred young Syrian men were marched out into the sands of Syria, heckled as if they were sheep, stripped to their underwear and then shot in the back of the head.

Not one!!

Hundreds… at one time!

By now, the storyline here should be getting clearer.

What is “outrageous” in the US is not outrageous in many parts of the world.

The US public lives, even if they don’t want to believe it, in a very well insulated bubble.

The loss of one US citizen at the hands of a subhuman group demands world outcry.

But then, it doesn’t happen or at least not to the level people in the US would like.

Tragedy is a daily headline in far too many corners of this world and the desensitized nature of billions simply allows today’s “tragedy” to be eclipsed in a matter of minutes.  

Does any of this minimize what took place?

No.

Does a dose of reality simply seem harder to swallow than in other parts of the world?

Yes.

Here is the real danger for the US.

If left unchecked, the US and it closest Allies may become just as numb to brutality as many other parts of the world have long ago grown accustomed to.

What can be done?

How can the forces of the Islamic State be defeated?

How does America respond to this direct threat?

That is the question the American people are going to have to answer and do so quickly.

When confronted with danger, three things can happen.

Accept it.

Fight it.

Ignore it.

Does the US truly wait for world partners to join some coalition?

Can it afford to?

A long time ago, I took a stand against evil people and I had only one philosophy towards them.

“You do not have to respect me.  You don’t have to like me, but you need to fear me”!

So, how does the US respond to the evil known as the Islamic State Forces?

PAKISTAN!  MORE TROUBLE AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

After talking with a few friends this week, I’m going to try a different approach for the month of September.

If anyone hasn't noticed, I usually pose multiple questions during a typical posting.

This month, I've decided to stick to one theme question and then challenge readers to seek what they believe to be possible answer or is often the case with world events, options for answers.

Pakistan’s new troubles:

Last week, I commented on the two groups that had decided to move on the government of Pakistan at the same time.

I spoke to the character of both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri with Qadri being the more “interesting” figure.

Well, as predictable as it was, it seems violence broke out in the middle of the so called “peaceful demonstrations”.

As news spread the Army was being called into action, first as mediators, then to keep the protest violence in check, the obvious question came to the surface.

Was the Army quietly supporting the protest?

The betting money is yes!

Protesters take over a major news network and then the Army moves in, but no heads are cracked.

No rubber bullets are fired at the station.

The protesters simply left?

Sound suspicious?

In the world of Police work, that is called, “ A Clue”!

Is it beyond the Army’s capability to create such a movement in Pakistan?

Remember….it is Pakistan.

Also remember, it’s the current Pakistan government that wants the Hero of the Pakistani Military, Pervez Musharraf, in jail for life.

So, just off camera; off in the shadows, who is watching, waiting?

How did the turmoil of Egypt, Syria, Libya, Tunisia start an who was able to turn it into something none of the protesters agreed upon?

Radical Islamic groups own large sections of  the countryside in Pakistan.

What does this turmoil mean to them?

How can the exploit the growing crisis?

Pakistan’s new crisis….. What does it mean to us?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29009549

THE UKRAINE AND ISLAMIC STATE…VISCOSITY IS THE KEY!

For several months now, these two stories have remained at the top of the media food chart.

Yes, the events in Israel temporarily became the shiny object media crows gazed upon, but the significance of the major two topics allows them to rise right back to the top time and time again.

So, what is the difference?

Why are these two stories more than just news sound bites?

Why do they continue to haunt those Western World Leaders to the point of admitting they “don’t have a strategy at this time”?

The answer is not complex and it’s not truly even debatable.

Last week, I spoke to an issue I’ve visited several time in the past few years.

Resolve!

The loss of “Resolve” stacked on top of a deliberate movement to kill American Exceptionalism.

The crisis in the Ukraine and the Islamic State movement are both perpetuated by the lack of resolve in the West. 

Now, I could talk all day as to how this collapse of world leadership, deliberate collapse, has pushed civilized people to the brink of social breakdown, but that would prevent me from striking at the heart of the issue.

You see, this lack of resolve was not by accident.

It is not the byproduct of a cunning adversary, although, I will admit there are those who were perfectly positioned to exploit the death of resolve.

So what happened?

What triggered this breakdown in world leadership?

Perhaps a perfect Cocktail was the issue?

A Cocktail contrived from a blend of modern Progressive thinking, Socialist philosophies towards economic status and the two very important ingredients, social media and the World Wide Web!

The recognized world leader in times of trouble, the US, in 2009, has a new leader stand up and say to the world, ‘ we should no longer lead…. We should be just another member of the collective’!

What consequences did this change have for the world?

Was the Pandora’s Box opened with untold, unmanageable results?

In my opinion, yes!

I could go on and on about this historical collapse in world leadership, but it would only sound like Bashing and we all know if you don’t agree with DC, you are “Bashing”.

So, in order not to sound like a Basher, let me address what most likely is a far more important point than realizing how this happened.

How do we “fix” this, or is this Humpty Dumpty all over again?

Yesterday, a certain person said to me, “well the President is striking Islamic State Forces”, they actually said ISIL forces not realizing none of them go by that name anymore, “and that shows he is not as reckless as GW was”!

Really?

A great philosopher once said, individuals are smart, but masses are ignorant!

Well, this person proved that theory doesn’t always hold true.

Anyone with the qualifications of watching at least one war movie knows limited air strikes will not change the course of a movement.

In the case of the Islamic State Forces, it may make matters worse; just ask Lebanon!

And how does the world view these “limited strikes”?

Simply put, they are doing more harm than good.

Does the world perceive this as “taking action”?

No.

Does the world see this as a political stunt?

Yes.

Does that anger DC?

Oh ya!

Does it impact the tactics of IS?

Somewhat?

Bottom line, is it doing harm or good?

Most likely it’s accomplishing nothing, with the exception of million dollar flight missions to take about 150 dollar trucks.

To be honest, did these missions alter the actions of the IS forces?

Perhaps, but allowing them to freely maneuver the countryside and head to the next potential target is not a “strategy”… there is no strategy in Iraq or Syria, period!

The Ukraine:

Where in the world is this leading?

What is Europe willing to?

Like the GCC countries, the Europeans understand the US will talk from the front, but watch from the rear.

A Western world that is truly leaderless!

In the Tsar’s wildest dreams, it couldn’t have turned out any better than this.

And now a historically, classic response from Europe!

A one week ultimatum!

Do any of them believe this will work?

No.

So why did they do it?

Desperation.

They are desperate to show their societies some level of….. You guessed it….. RESOLVE!

We will see the Tsar’s response over the next few days and I’m willing to bet, it will not be good news for Europe.

Fix:

Is there one?

How does the West restore “Resolve” in a world pushing them to the edge?

Oh by the way, I’ll leave the Dragon out of this conversation!

Well; the buzz word of 2008 and 2009 may be the key!

Change!

I remember the day Ronald Reagan won the elections in the US.

I remember people saying, pride was returning to the US.

I remember the Iranian suddenly figuring out a way to end the Hostage Crisis.

I remember Ronald Reagan standing in Germany and saying, “tear down this wall”!

I remember people saying, “ he is a madman and is pushing the world to the edge of nuclear war”!

I remember the reemergence of “RESOLVE”!

Was it dangerous?

Yes.

Was it even reckless?

Perhaps.

Did the US or the West have a choice?

NO!

A political system that truly is functional has a pattern of cyclic elections.

Having said this, here is my warning.

It is a law of physics that all things that depend on viscosity can reach a point of failure!

Modern society, modern economic networks, world wide networks, depend on viscosity!

That viscosity is founded in human belief.

The belief that things will be ok, or that bad times will go away.

In a world of social media and constant communications that viscosity comes under attack every day.

The slipping point if reached, cannot be saved by one election.

The Western world must hope for resolve to return.

If must hold on until the 2016 elections in the only country able to lead the alliance back to stability.

If this return of resolve doesn’t take place in 2016, if viscosity fails before that, then some other force will have to save the economic engine of the West!

Who has a vital interest in that engine?

Ah yes…. The Dragon!

US, ‘ NO STRATEGY FOR THE ISLAMIC STATE’.. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Was it just an outburst of honesty yesterday?

Was it an example of not being prepared?

Was it a “slip of the tongue”?

Was it a feint… a trick… .a ploy?

Only a chosen few will really know, but I can tell you what it was to the rest of the world.

Another gigantic perception event!

It didn’t take the world media thirty minutes to pounce on the comment by the US President.

As a matter of fact, as I was watching him give the speech, I told the person next to me, “that won’t take long”!

Back.

Back to the reality of world media, social media and 24/7/365, global coverage and how governance simply cannot come to terms with how to shape their messages.

So, now this morning in DC, the administration is running one main effort and that effort is not building a “Strategy” for IS.

It’s “damage control”!!!

Here is the problem with “damage control” in the world of social media.

It takes a great deal of effort, time and money, to fix Administration perception issues.

The reality is, they often don’t get ‘fixed”!

So, as the US administration runs damage control today, let me take a shot at how  this statement was perceived in the Region.

GCC:

“Uncommitted”, and uncommitted only strengthens their internal belief that US is no longer able or willing to control the region….as if it ever was!!!!

Islamic State Leadership:

No resolve! 

“The West / US / has no stomach for fighting us”.

Once again the “redline” theory goes out the window.

Iran:

“Got them right where we want them…. Still desperate for a nuclear ‘deal’, and willing to do our dirty work against a force we helped create… the Islamic Sate”!

The Tsar:

“ I’m not sure what they are doing and nether or they, so I’m pushing forward with my ‘Master Plan…. Keep sending the vacationing troops to the Ukraine”!!!!

Egypt’s Sisi:

“What?  They want our help again?  Hell, we are still trying to control the Hamas / Israeli issue and the US, who didn’t support me, wants me in another ‘coalition’? Tell them we are a little tied up right now, but we will get back with them soon”!

Turkey’s Egodan:

“ Let me see if I understand this correctly.  You support the Kurds. You won’t attack Assad. Now you are going to unwillingly  help Assad??????  What part of this am I supposed to agree with and oh by the way…..what’s in it for me”?

So, you see………… a slip of the tongue… a misguided statement in the world of live coverage and the entire concept of what is taking place changes.

And as for the United States Department of State…….” This is the story of a sailing ship… and a three hour tour… a three hour tour”….. ( Insert theme song here).

UKRAINE AND THE VACATIONING RUSSIAN MILITARY!

Once again, I have to admit my fascination with the Tsar…..Putin!!!!!

I have followed this man’s path for years and for just about the same amount of time, I’ve stated he is the most dangerous man alive and yes, in my book, the most interesting one as well.

But today, well let’s just say,  today it all came to a whole different level!

 Alexander Zakharchenko, a  Pro Russian Force’s Leader, statement was completely over the top!

He looked into the camera, never flinched and stated the Russian forces fighting alongside his forces were on “leave” from the Russian military!!!!!

Now, when I watched this segment on BBC today, I had to think for a minute.

Did he just say what I think he just said?

Leave?

Really?

That’s the best you can come up with?

Leave status?

With their Tanks and Armored Vehicles?

Now, it could be this guy was some local garrison idiot prior to the conflict and truly his professional military training was lacking; for now intelligent Officer of a modern day military could make such a mindboggling statement.

Then it struck me.

Why was this statement even made?

Of all the detailed planning the Russian forces must have developed for a complex campaign in the Ukraine, how in the world would this take place?

So, at the point of openly being unable to deny Russian forces and equipment on the ground in Ukraine, the answer is, “we are on leave”???????

I had to think for a few minutes and then the only possible conclusion one could come to popped into my head.

The Tsar doesn’t care!!!!!

The conversation must have been something like this; “ Sir, we need to think about our explanation for being seen in the area once we can no longer hide the fact”!

The Tsar; “who cares….. Whomever gets cornered by the media, just have them say something. By that time, it’s too late”!!!!

So, that’s it!

The Tsar doesn’t care what this Pro Russian Rebel leader states to the media.

He doesn’t care what media outlet covers the story or what the reaction is.

The fact is Russian Forces are now in the Ukraine and that is it!

Boldness?

This is beyond boldness!

This is a real indicator of just what the Tsar thinks of Western / European opinions and reactions.

Is this simply outrageous or is this more?

Does this lack of guidance to the Pro Russian forces indicate a far more important change?

Historically, when nations no longer “respect” their enemy’s capabilities and or resolve, a topic I spoke to yesterday, disaster soon follows!

So the Tsar wakes up to his morning briefing and in that briefing he is told of the “Leave” story from a Rebel Leader.

He laughs and then gets briefed on the progress of the event.

What if he woke up to his morning briefing and was told that the United States Army was on the ground in Syria or Lebanon or Iran.

Then, the Tsar then is shown a media story where a pro Rebel leader in Syria states, “the US forces that are here are volunteers or are on LEAVE”!!!

Insult!

Outrageous!

“Who the hell does he think he is… sending in his military and then telling the world they are on ‘leave’?

You see, this is exactly what the Tsar just did.

This was not just the next phase in Operation Ukraine.

This was a slap in the face to the West / US / NATO!

How it is the Tsar could be so bold as to allow such a stunning statement to be made?

Once again, it’s simple.

He doesn’t care.

He sees no “Resolve”!

The crisis that is Ukraine is much larger than Ukraine.

The worldwide crisis is the loss of resolve.

That simple word has been the glue that has held shut the gates of Hell for years!

Those gates are springing wide open, not just in the Ukraine, but in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Resolve!

Someone needs to find it and quick, but then again, someone may have already done so!

The Tsar!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28967526

ALAWITES… AND THE BOOGIEMAN .. IS IT TIME FOR A NEW SUPERHERO?

This story paints a very ominous picture for Syria,  but it cannot be fully understood without realizing the most important fact that will insure the outcome the Alawites fear.

Over the course of the past thirty years, the concept of warfare in Western Society has changed.

“kill the bad ‘guy’, but not the person next to him.

“Fight our enemies, but don’t lose any of our troops”.

“Destroy the second floor of the building, but don’t disrupt the power or water to the people on the first floor”.

Is my sarcasm over the top?

Perhaps, but my point cannot be disputed.

The West / US / has adopted an unrealistic vision of modern warfare.

Yes technology has made many things possible, but it has not destroyed the ability of our enemies to be ruthless, committed and simply more willing to fight than we are.

We chose, and it is our choice, to destroy 100 dollar trucks with three guys armed with rifles with a 300K dollar missile.

We do not chose to fight this truck with an armored vehicle or dismounted infantry or even Special Forces!

Our version of warfare is based on casualty aversion, public opinion and cost; unless that cost is associated with large companies making Billions from the conflict.

So, why is it the US administration and other Western Leaders, note… not all, are sounding the alarm bell on Islamic State Forces movements?

Why did the two most senior military leaders of the most powerful military in world warn the US public of the dangers of IS forces?

And why did the current Administration Officials quickly respond to the media that this “threat” may not be as bad as the impressions that were given?

Why is this message so confusing?

Resolve!

That is the reason.

The most powerful nation in the world doesn’t have the “resolve” to face a problem that might be the largest threat to society, or it may not be!

Should the West / US / put “boots on the ground” in the region to destroy the Islamic State movement?

It depends.

Is the movement capable of altering the entire region?

Is it capable of severely impacting the daily lives of the West?

What price is the West willing to pay to solve this issue?

What is the proper way to defeat this movement?

I’ve said this before and I will say it again.

The Islamic State movement has and continues to grow into “cult” status!

Young men flock to it for one basic reason; what alternative do they have?

For over ten years, the West truly believed the way to destroy AQ, remember them, was with precision munitions.

Even a precision strike by elite forces took out Osama.

Are we safer?

Is the Radical Islamic threat over?

Is it worse?

The Alawite people of Tartous people are facing the same issue I spoke of back in June of this year.

Like the Iraqi forces that abandoned their post, they see movement in the dark.

They hear sounds as paranoia grips their chest.

How many airstrikes will it take to save Tartous when the Boogeyman steps from the shadows?

The screams will be heard from Aleppo and Homs and those screams will empty the streets of Tartous.

The World War I disaster created in the Middle East has perhaps bread its ultimate villain.

Are there any Superheroes left?

Perhaps not in the West.

It may be time to look to the East!

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/08/syria-jihadist-threat-homs.html

HAMAS AND ISRAEL AND THE BLIND DOG BONE STORY.  

For over a week now, the story-line has been the so called, War of Attrition, and who’s trying to win it.

Is it the Israeli concept to wear down the support of Hamas inside of Gaza?

Is the plan to drive a wedge between Fatah, Abbas and Hamas?

Does Hamas and its supporters believe two straight months of running for shelters is breaking the back of public support in Israel?

Does the execution, at the same time as the actions of the Islamic State, of so called “informers” damage Hamas’ support in Gaza?

Does someone think that Hamas will eventually run out of rockets?

So, what is really taking place here?

Is this a “War of Attrition” or is it more a matter of “Battle of Wills”?

Who will give in first?

In order to come close to a possible answer, we must look at the cost involved to each side.

Hamas:

Where do the young, frustrated fighters, who have no intention of reaching out to Israel, go if Hamas drops to Its knees?

Answer……… Islamic State?

Perhaps give it’s cult like draw in the region.

How does Hamas maintain control of the wealth it makes form Gaza, for you see, Gaza is nothing more than a business to the leaders of Hamas.

Simply put, what is left for Hamas if they “give in”?

Abbas and Fatah regain control of Gaza and Hama’s status in the region is gone.

Israel:

If you believe the media headlines, the past few days have been politically disastrous for Netanyahu!

Could he win the Battle and lose the Political War?

Are the people of Southern Israel tired of hiding in shelters?

Are they wondering why the IDF just doesn’t go into Gaza and stop the attacks?

Is Western support for resupply of advanced weapons impacting the ability of the IDF to continue such a War of Attrition?

Simply put, are the people of Israel wondering, “when is this going to end…..why doesn’t Netanyahu strike to end this?

Ok, it’s obvious that both sides are locked into this conflict and both sides have no desire to be seen as the loser!

Hamas truly has nothing to lose by fighting on, unless you count the support and blood of the people in Gaza.

Israel cannot be 0-3 over the past five years when dealing with Hamas and Hezbollah.

So, what is the outcome?

Where does all of this end?

Honestly, Netanyahu  is already well down the road of once again losing the perception battle.

Hamas may be killing their own people in the streets of Gaza, but in the region, they still wear the title of ‘underdog”!

They are still seen in many parts of the world as suffering at the hands of a far superior military backed by the “West”!

Here is the most important part and the easily the most dangerous part of the Hamas mindset.

Israel doesn’t have the resolve to occupy Gaza!

The price is too great compared to what the nation of Israel is currently enduring.

Hamas believes this to the point of fault and because of that, they simply will not stop lobbing small rockets into Israel.

No one understands this more than Netanyahu!

To completely invade Gaza would stress his support with the US beyond his control.

In his mind, his inability to crush Hamas is the fault of the US.

And yes; Hamas understands this.

So, you see, they are both helplessly locked in a conflict that neither can afford to stop.

What they both need is simplistically obvious.

They both need Sisi, or at least they thought they did.

Could it be that even the advantage of Sisi has passed?

So, in the long run, and old saying will come true.

“Even a Blind Dog finds a bone”!

After thousands of aimless rockets land in Israel, one will hit an emotional target.

One will get the headlines Netanyahu cannot ignore.

At that moment in time, the move into Gaza will take place!

Gaza will fall and so will any hope of peace for in will walk the Islamic State and the Cult that follows them.

Someone give Sisi whatever he wants.

He holds the cards, maybe!