I have been baffled by some of the comments of the likes of contrarian Jon Helleweg who seems to have decided, on the basis of being frozen out of commenting by RT to have decided that Putin is the enemy and RT controlled by the Fifth Column.
Jon Hellevig
Putin is spending billions and billions on media, and yet his RT is controlled by the 5th column, the enemies that want to have him killed like Gaddafi and Hussein.
Then we have the contrarian, Vladimir Suchan who these days seems have only one them these days - of criticising Putin because of his following a traditional line of diplomacy while simultaneously working on the military front.
Interestingly, I can't think of the last time that Vladimir was asked by ANYONE for comment - he used to appear regularly on the likes of RT (no doubt because they are controlled, like Putin, by the Fifth Column - sic) - (1 year ago, it seems).
The latest is the following where, as part of Putin's alleged move to Minsk 111 he has reached an agreement with the Americans and the Israelis not to touch anything south of Damascus.
Here are comments from Vladimir Suchan who, for those who don't know him is a former Czech diplomat and professional commenter on Facebook:
I do not have the impeccable level of knowledge and analyis of Vladimir Suchan so all I can do is to bring to the table articles that suggest that the Russians may, indeed, not only be operating "south of Damascus" but have effectively frozen the Israelis out of Syrian skies.
Russians
Bomb Israeli Supported Terrorist Base on Golan Heights
27
October, 2015
TEHRAN
(FNA)- The Russian air force hit rebel positions in Southern Syria,
near the Golan Heights, for the first time since it began its air
campaign against the Takfiri terrorists last month.
The
Russian airstrikes targeted positions of the ISIL and al-Nusra Front
in the Golan Heights in Quneitra province near the border with
Israel.
Russia’s
airstrikes were the closest to the occupied Palestinian territories
since it started its airstrikes in late September.
Earlier
today, the Russian air force also struck terrorists’ positions in
Daraa province for the first time in the past month.
Russia’s
fighter jets hit the Takfiri terrorists’ positions in the strategic
hilltops of Tal al-Harra and Tal Antar near Deir al-Adas in the
Northern countryside of Daraa late Monday.
The
Syrian army also carried out attacks on the strategic hilltop of Tal
al-Alaqiya in Daraa countryside and managed to fully destroy the
terrorists’ positions in the region.
The
Tal al-Alaqiya hilltop is surrounded by three other strategic areas
of Deir al-Adas, Kafar Nasej and Kafar Shams in Northern Daraa.
Political
observers believe that he Russian fighter jets’ attacks have an
important message for Israel while Tal Aviv is trying to pretend that
it has reached an agreement with Moscow on Syria’s Southern skies.
Also
on Monday, Russian fighter jets razed to the ground a number of the
positions of the terrorist groups in the Syrian Province of Aleppo.
The
Russian airstrikes hit positions of al-Nusra Front and ISIL terrorist
groups in the vicinity of Khanasser-Ithriyah road in the Southern
parts of the city of Aleppo.
Reports
also said the clashes continue between the Syrian troops and ISIL
terrorists on the Khanasser-Ithriyah road.
The
Russian air raids also hit positions of terrorists from The Levant
Front or Jabhat al-Shamiyya in al-Sheikh Saeed neighborhood in
Southern Aleppo and al-Sheikh Issa in the Southern countryside of
Aleppo.
Russian
warplanes also pounded Takfiri militants’ positions in the vicinity
of the Air Force Academy in Kuweires airport in the Eastern
countryside of Aleppo.
If you don't want to believe Veteran's Today, here's the Israeli media
If you don't want to believe Veteran's Today, here's the Israeli media
For
the first time since Russia began its direct military involvement in
Syria, Russian aircrafts attacked Syrian Rebel targets near the
border with Israel. According to the Iranian report, the strike was
meant to disprove Israeli claims that the two countries had reached
an agreement regarding airstrikes in Southern Syria.
The
Iranian Fars News Agency reported that Russian fighter jets attacked
several targets belonging to the Syrian Rebels yesterday (Monday)
near Quneitra in the Syrian Golan Heights, close to the border with
Israel.
According
to the Iranian report, the Russian attacks focused on two strategic
strongholds held by the rebels, Tal al-Harra and Tal Antar. Sources
affiliated with the Syrian Rebels also confirmed that their targets
were hit by Russia.
Political
analysts in Iran claimed that the aim of the Russian strike, amongst
others, was to send a clear message to Israel, “which is trying to
claim that it reached an agreement with Moscow with regards to the
use of airspace in southern Syria.”
International Military Review - Syria-Iraq Battlespace, Oct. 28, 2015
Russian
no-fly zone effectively blocks US, UK and Israeli forces from bombing
Syria
© RIA Novosti/Vitaliy Ankov Moskva missile cruiser
28
October, 2015
It
appears that, after a few weeks of Russian bombing in Syria, a new
kind of "no-fly zone" seems to have been
established. However,
this "no-fly zone" is not focused on preventing Syrian
planes and military forces from operating inside the country.
Instead, it functions as a barrier to Israeli and American air forces
seeking to enter Syria through the Mediterranean Sea in order to
support terrorists and jihadists against the secular government of
Bashar al-Assad.
This is because of Russia's Naval presence in the port of Tartus and its new presence just off the coast of Latakia, particularly with ships like the guided missile cruiser Moscow. The ship left Crimea on September 24 and is part of what Russian media is referring to as training exercises.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated,
This is because of Russia's Naval presence in the port of Tartus and its new presence just off the coast of Latakia, particularly with ships like the guided missile cruiser Moscow. The ship left Crimea on September 24 and is part of what Russian media is referring to as training exercises.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated,
In the course of the training activity, the Russian ships will practice organization of anti-submarine, anti-ship, and air defense, as well as search-and-rescue activities and rendering assistance to distressed vessels.
During the exercise, the military seamen are to perform over 40 different combat, tasks including missile and artillery firings at surface and aerial targets.
Clearly,
the ship is in the Mediterranean for more than simple maneuvers. But
its presence is also being bemoaned by the obsessively pro-Israeli,
pro-NATO, and pro-war crowds howling in the pages of mainstream media
outlets about being prevented from being able to cross national
borders at will and rain death and destruction down upon innocent
civilians and the primary force fighting ISIS and other jihadists in
Syria.
As pro-Israeli writer "Eli" from SOFREP wrote in an article that was reposted by Business Insider,
As pro-Israeli writer "Eli" from SOFREP wrote in an article that was reposted by Business Insider,
By positioning the Moskva, a cruiser armed with S300 missiles, west of Latakia, the Russians have endangered the IAF's favorite corridor of flight into Syria. The IAF has no stealth capabilities to circumvent this anti-access/area denial — A2/AD — bubble, nor any other air force in the area.Russian President Vladimir Putin managed to do in several days what US President Barack Obama failed to do in the last three years: He's created a true no-fly zone. Putin's actions suggest, in my opinion, that he's willing to force the coalition and the Israel air force into reporting and coordinating their flights in the region — an act I'm sure no one is in favor of or willing to comply with.
The Moskva carries an estimated 64 S-300 missiles, according to foreign sources), and could intercept multiple targets up to 150 miles away, making it a serious threat in addition to other Russian assets in the region.The presence of the Moskva essentially locks down British air assets in Cyprus, American F-16s in the southern part of Turkey, and the Israeli air force, which likes to use that particular flight corridor for penetration into Syria, or alternatively when flying over the western part of Lebanon. Any flights in or around the country will now be tricky for the IAF to accomplish.
"Eli"
has made an astute observation. Unless the Israelis and NATO powers
are truly willing to risk World War 3, the ability to simply fly in
through and over the Mediterranean has been severely hampered by the
Russian presence. NATO and Israel could indeed identify themselves
and their intentions but they could be denied overflight permission
to do so. They would then be forced with the choice between simply
stepping back or risking a direct confrontation with Russian jets in
the air.
Furthermore, "Eli" concludes that danger is indeed present. He writes,
Furthermore, "Eli" concludes that danger is indeed present. He writes,
So what happens to coalition surveillance flights? What about airdrops to parties in the region supported by the coalition? This will become another complicated situation which will require the precision of a surgeon and the creativity of artists. One thing is certain: The Kremlin's recent move is dangerous and places us all in danger. It may be time to dust off the old Cold War books.
Yet,
while "Eli" laments the Russian presence in the
Mediterranean and Syria and attempts to suggest that Russia is simply
expanding its empire, his thesis is concerning for three
reasons.First,
it is perhaps the case that the United States and Israel have
violated human rights and national borders for so long that neither
their citizens nor their cheerleaders have any grasp of the
difference between imperialism and self-defense.
Second, "Eli" is lamenting the Russian presence because he views the Western support of savages raping and beheading their way across Syria as legitimate and justified. He implicitly argues that the Israeli Air Force, along with the U.S. Air Force, has and should continue to have the divine right to cross national borders at will, drop bombs on civilians and national governments as they choose, and be free from any and all consequences of doing so. The "exceptional" people and the "chosen" people thus make a very good team, complete with the blessings of God and the rest of the world. There is one major problem, however - the fact that Israel and the United States no longer have the blessing of the world to continue their slaughter unabated. Russia has had enough and so have many other nations.Which brings us to the most concerning aspect of "Eli's" position - that he and those he represents are willing to risk World War 3 to continue settlement and colonization of the Middle East and other "non-compliant" nations.
"Eli's" article would not be so concerning if it were not for the fact that it represents the viewpoint of a ruling elite that is so committed to world hegemony that it very well might risk the literal destruction of the world in search of those aims. While "Eli" describes the "Kremlin's recent moves" as "dangerous" and having placed us all in danger, the Kremlin is only acting in a way that defends its own self-interests.
If "Eli" is concerned with the danger that we all face, he would do well to warn the White House and the Knesset.
Second, "Eli" is lamenting the Russian presence because he views the Western support of savages raping and beheading their way across Syria as legitimate and justified. He implicitly argues that the Israeli Air Force, along with the U.S. Air Force, has and should continue to have the divine right to cross national borders at will, drop bombs on civilians and national governments as they choose, and be free from any and all consequences of doing so. The "exceptional" people and the "chosen" people thus make a very good team, complete with the blessings of God and the rest of the world. There is one major problem, however - the fact that Israel and the United States no longer have the blessing of the world to continue their slaughter unabated. Russia has had enough and so have many other nations.Which brings us to the most concerning aspect of "Eli's" position - that he and those he represents are willing to risk World War 3 to continue settlement and colonization of the Middle East and other "non-compliant" nations.
"Eli's" article would not be so concerning if it were not for the fact that it represents the viewpoint of a ruling elite that is so committed to world hegemony that it very well might risk the literal destruction of the world in search of those aims. While "Eli" describes the "Kremlin's recent moves" as "dangerous" and having placed us all in danger, the Kremlin is only acting in a way that defends its own self-interests.
If "Eli" is concerned with the danger that we all face, he would do well to warn the White House and the Knesset.
From
Business Insider – not exactly a flunky of Mr. Putin’s.
Russian
warships may be shutting out Israel's air-force access to Syria
26
October, 2015
The
Israeli air force has an impressive reputation. As a son of
an IAF veteran,
I grew up hearing stories and watching runways.
I
was told tales of daring dogfights against the Egyptian spitfires in
the early days, or the overwhelming casualties the IAF caused to the
Egyptian air force during the Six-Day
War in 1967 —
a total of 452 Arab aircraft were destroyed, 49 of which were aerial
victories.
Over
the years, the IAF has become more technologically advanced and is
now an important part of our national security.
But
above all, it has become an important element of our special
operations, providing our forces with the ability to reach far,
silently and in deadly fashion.
Operations
such as OP
Babylon —
bombing an Iraqi nuclear plant — or Operation
Orchardwere
important milestones in IAF progression and development. Its
reputation has since helped the Jewish country rule the sky in a
manner that offers us freedom of action, even in such a complex
conflict as the Syrian Civil War.
But
with the recent developments in Syria, the Russians working to
establish a stronger presence in the region, it is likely that the
era of the IAF crossing borders as if merely walking over a sidewalk
is nearly over.
The
Russian navy's Black Sea flagship, the guided missile
cruiser Moscow —
or Moskva
"glory"—
left from Sevastopol in Crimea September 24, according to Russian
state-controlled media. It is currently located to the west of
Latakia, in western Syria.
Google
Earth/Amanda Macias/Business Insider
According
to the Russian Ministry of Defense, "In the course of the
training activity, the Russian ships will practice organization of
anti-submarine, anti-ship, and air defense, as well as
search-and-rescue activities and rendering assistance to distressed
vessels.
"During
the exercise, the military seamen are to perform over 40 different
combat, tasks including missile and artillery firings at surface and
aerial targets."
By
positioning the Moskva, a cruiser armed with S300 missiles, west of
Latakia, the Russians have endangered the IAF's favorite corridor of
flight into Syria. The IAF has no stealth capabilities to circumvent
this anti-access/area denial — A2/AD — bubble, nor any other air
force in the area.
Russian
President Vladimir Putin managed to do in several days what US
President Barack Obama failed to do in the last three years: He's
created a true no-fly zone. Putin's actions suggest, in my opinion,
that he's willing to force the coalition and the Israel air force
into reporting and coordinating their flights in the region — an
act I’m sure no one is in favor of or willing to comply with.
The
Moskva carries an estimated 64 S-300 missiles,
according to foreign sources), and could intercept multiple targets
up to 150 miles away, making it a serious threat in addition to other
Russian assets in the region.
The
presence of the Moskva essentially locks down British air assets in
Cyprus, American F-16s in the southern part of Turkey, and the
Israeli air force, which likes to use that particular flight corridor
for penetration into Syria, or alternatively when flying over the
western part of Lebanon. Any flights in or around the country will
now be tricky for the IAF to accomplish.
Currently,
there's a great deal of disinformation and propaganda on the web
pertaining to Russian activities in the region and their ostensibly
benevolent operations to rid the region of the likes of ISIS. A lot
of false information is circulating and PSYOPS are in full effect.
But
one may not ignore reality. Russian activities on the diplomatic
field suggest that the Russians have intentionally established their
own no-fly zones, creating A2/AD bubbles in Syria through which no
aircraft, unless stealth-capable, can travel.
The
Russian navy has reestablished its old Cold War base, Tartus, on the
western coast of Syria. That, along with a Russian airbase in
northwestern Syria, ensures that Russia can maintain steady supply
routes into Syria to support its military actions.
Considering
this and the sophisticated air-defense capabilities the Russians have
already deployed in Syria, perhaps the entire operation is about more
than merely buoying Syrian President Bashar
Assad's regime in
the short term. As the saying goes, "Russia is not just a
country, it's a mentality."
Institute
for the Study of WarConcerning aspects of Russia's presence in Syria
- The Israeli policy in Syria was to indirectly support rebels and entities on our eastern border (in the Golan Heights region) in order to counter Iranian attempts to support their proxy war branches. The current Russian campaign has made the region easier for the Iranian 'advisors' (read: Quds Force) and the Kuntar militias (Hezbollah proxy) to assume their positions and launch future operations. With the previous IAF airstrikes in the area, Hezbollah and the Iranians were forced to think twice before moving their tools. With that region being protected by a sophisticated air defense like the one Russia has introduced, operated by personnel who can actually read what's written on the keyboard, the IAF's influence has essentially been counteracted.
- When the US moved into Iraq, they did it the way they know best: with tons of troops and equipment in a big and impressive way. The problem is, when the US left, military bases and vast amounts of military equipment were left behind, mostly to save the expense of bringing it back home. Now the Russians are mirroring this approach — dumping major hardware into the conflict — which may result in a similar situation to that of Iraq. The Israeli government was the first to recognize this horrifying possibility. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "If anybody wants to use Syrian territory to transfer nuclear weapons to Hezbollah, we'll take action."
So
what happens to coalition surveillance flights? What about airdrops
to parties
in the regionsupported
by the coalition? This will become another complicated situation
which will require the precision of a surgeon and the creativity of
artists. One thing is certain: The Kremlin's recent move is
dangerous and places us all in danger. It may be time to dust off the
old Cold War books.
This
map color codes the different nationalities of planes currently
operating in Syria.Conclusion
In
an attempt to establish a no-fly zone, Russia has created a
roadblock for current and future actions by coalition
forces in the region. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. I
don't know how many corners the Syrian table has, but I do know one
thing: Too many airplanes belonging to rival factions flying in the
same airspace should be a wake-up call to do a home check.
The proposed
American no-fly zone idea was meant to protect civilians. The Russian
no-fly zone does the opposite and poses complications in lands beyond
Syria. It protects the Assad regime as it continues to kill
civilians. The more Obama allows the Russian military to become
involved in Syria, the more I suspect that Obama has reconsidered
forcing Assad out of the game.
UPDATE: As
of October 7, for the first time, four Russian navy ships used
surface-to-surface, long-range missiles in an "operational"
setting. The bombardment struck 26 targets in Syria. According
to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, 11 hits were confirmed.
Shoigu also said that the strikes were launched from the Caspian Sea
using long-range missiles (Klub series) that flew 1,500 kilometers
(930 miles) to their targets.
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