All things Middle East related

[Chico23231]

How the Dominoes Will Fall After ISIS Takes Damascus | Observer

This article kinda breaks down alot of things within this civil war and where things could be headed. To understand the geopolitics you gotta first understand the basics...who is who...Sunni, Shiite. This kinda helps people understand it, pretty decent article.

Also, this 12th Iman sh*t? Folks, this is scary stuff. This is the stuff that is compelling leaders of countries to stand by and not do a damn thing... Read this:


The Myth That’s Compelling ISIS

Like several other religions, many Muslims believe in an end of time scenario that involves the emergence of a redeemer called al-Mahdi who will rule the world for seven to 19 years and fill it with justice after it was filled with injustice. Al-Mahdi — Arabic for “the guided one” — was never mentioned in the Quran, but some claim that the prophet Mohammed prophesied about him. While many Sunnis — who make up to 85 percent of Muslims — believe that al-Mahdi hasn’t been born yet, most Shiites believe that al-Mahdi is the 12th Imam and the descendent of the prophet Mohammed who disappeared in Iraq in 874 A.D.


It is believed that his emergence, or re-emergence, will be the final chapter before the end of time and judgment day. With some oversimplification, the story suggests that al-Mahdi will lead the camp of the righteous against the camp of evil. Jesus — whose soul Muslims believe was saved by God before the crucifixion — will descend from the sky to Damascus and declare his allegiance to al-Mahdi.

Against the army led by al-Mahdi and Jesus, the camp of evil will have two leaders. A tyrant appears in Damascus called al-Sufyani and an equivalent of the Christian Antichrist called “the one-eyed deceiver” appears in the border area between Afghanistan, Iran and Turkmenistan. Al-Mahdi will appear in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. A war will start that involves the capture of Istanbul and a final battle in a place called Dabiq in northern Syria. ISIS and al-Qaeda believe fully in this final battle. ISIS has chosen the name Dabiq for its online magazine. Al-Mahdi soldiers will be tall, with long black hair and beards, dressed in black and carry the prophet’s black banner, the rationale for ISIS’s and al-Qaeda’s choice of these figures in their propaganda videos.


I cant believe we sat on our hands and let this happen....biggest mistake ever in the war on terror.

[over the mountain]

https://twitter.com/sakirkhader?ref_...Ctwgr%5Eauthor

dutch reporters twitter feed.

shows short videos of little kids badly injured/dead from russia air strikes in Syria.

cant shake the thought that Us bombs have maimed and killed lots of children as well.

us = russia

[CRedskinsRule]

So Russia provides the air force, Iran provides the ground troops. Fortunately they aren't becoming allies.

Iran troops to join Syria war, Russia bombs group trained by CIA | Reuters

[over the mountain]

I look forward to Turkey and Saudi Arabia response ...... oh thats right.

Our supposed allies in the region suck and they bitch at us when they need help but openly snub us and stab us in the back when they dont.

SA has a weak army, is trying to dry up our shale oil industry and also provided 15 of the 19 9-11 terrorists.

Turkey meanwhile, denied us the right to use their airspace in Iraq and last month did the same thing russia did ---- last month they got our permission to send planes into to syria under the pretext of bombing ISIS only to bomb the US backed kurds fighting ISIS. they also knocked on our tent door in Iraq and gave us a 1 hour heads up that they would be bombing in Iraq and we need to notify any US personnel.

[CRedskinsRule]

Turkey is a bit of a wildcard as it is a member of NATO and has had a soft no fly zone, right where Russia wants to fly (the no fly zone isn't official, and Russia isn't officially trying to fly in or around that region - no opportunities for miscommunication there).

I tend to see WW3 around a lot of corners, so still hoping this doesn't expand, but this is as volatile situation as we have seen since the 60's and I am certain Putin won't take kindly to Turkey shooting at one of Russia's precious jets if they fly too close to Turkish airspace.

OTM, I would say that we are not the best of allies either, do you think Turkey trusts that we will back them up if they were to have let us use their bases? This administration would throw their government under the bus in a heartbeat if their minority were to put real pressure on them.

[CRedskinsRule]

up close video report from Russia's air base in Syria. The Russian Times reporter is walking among the fighter jets, and honestly, it's just a little bit the of the geek in me that likes seeing the hardware up close.

Nothing groundbreaking news wise as this is a Russian propaganda outlet.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

up close video report from Russia's air base in Syria. The Russian Times reporter is walking among the fighter jets, and honestly, it's just a little bit the of the geek in me that likes seeing the hardware up close.

Nothing groundbreaking news wise as this is a Russian propaganda outlet.

they just had an air show at andrews last week i think... i guess it's too late to mention that now.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by That Guy

they just had an air show at andrews last week i think... i guess it's too late to mention that now.

As a teen, I was in a ROTC equivalent (CAP) and we would walk the flight lines for the Andrews air shows. Seeing the equipment up close is pretty interesting to me. I loved when they had an SR-71 on site. That thing was super duper cool man.

As to your point. I suppose the sarcasm tag was invisible, but an airshow around one's nation's capitol, is a bit different then walking on an active airfield with live combat sorties.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

As a teen, I was in a ROTC equivalent (CAP) and we would walk the flight lines for the Andrews air shows. Seeing the equipment up close is pretty interesting to me. I loved when they had an SR-71 on site. That thing was super duper cool man.

As to your point. I suppose the sarcasm tag was invisible, but an airshow around one's nation's capitol, is a bit different then walking on an active airfield with live combat sorties.

well you can get a job in flight-line maintenance if you want, but i can promise you it's pretty terrible.

[over the mountain]

Russia has moved electronic jamming equipment into Syria.

A couple days until Russia "inadvertently" starts jamming US and coalition aircraft?

[CRedskinsRule]

Turkey is not entertained:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/turkish-j...070343861.html

Sent from my S6 Edge

[CRedskinsRule]

Russia is putting on quite the show.

Russia fires cruise missiles from warships into Syria

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Russia is putting on quite the show.

Russia fires cruise missiles from warships into Syria

Quite a show is an flat out understatement.

Reports coming Russians troops are airlifting soldiers into Homs and have activity took up fighting as well. Reports say the first Russian causality has occurred.

The our government has stated 90% of air strikes NOT against Isis. Folks Russians are coming after the troops we have armed and supported.

I can't believe how much of a fucking pussy Obama and his adminstration are...we are writing American history which will say Obama and this government has coward to the Russians at every fucking turn.

Also word on the street is Afghanistan and their own armies of jahidists are amped up that Russia has entered the Syrian thing. They are pissed. Expect more armed taliban and Muslims extremists from Afghanistan to travel to Syria in hopes of engaging Russians.

Can this powder keg get any effing hotter?

[CRedskinsRule]

The air incursions into Turkey are worrisome. Even if it doesn't result in firefights, if Putin thinks he can mess with a NATO ally's border with impunity, then what does that mean for Latvia, and Estonia.

But no worries, cuz he's just a misunderstood meglomaniac. No big issues there.

[HailGreen28]

Honestly, are we sure that if the rebels the US supports win, we won't end up with a new Libya or ISIS?

I think Russia supporting Assad might be the best option now. especially if there's any truth to rumors that Russia and Assad are willing for Assad to step down gradually.