[Parity]

“But none of the areas reportedly targeted by Russian strikes in any of the three provinces is known to have an Islamic State presence.”

This is infuriating. Our country, our military has apparently lost all knowledge of military operations and tactics. A cursory glance at a map of Syria shows a few key points:

1. Damascus is the largest city, and is still the capitol.
2. Russian forces, to date, have FLOWN into a military airport near Damascus. This air route does not allow for lots of heavy equipment or supplies to be easily sent to the conflict area.
3. Draw a line directly north of Damascus - you find Homs and Aleppo. (Areas where the Russian airstrikes have broadly occurred.)
4. West of the Damascus-Homs-Aleppo line is the Jabal-an-Nusayriyah mountain range. West of that is the Med, with to key ports - Tartus, where the Russians have a sea base already, and Latakia, where the other air strikes took place (probably to gain control of a second port on the Med).
5. Ports are a GOOD way to resupply ground forces.
6. There are only two main highways (lines of communication, in military-speak) from either of the two ports, through the mountains, to meet up with the Damascus-Homs-Aleppo control line.
7. Control the ports, control the Lines of Communications, control the major cities along a north-south line, and you've made a good start of “winning” the war.

Close with and destroy the enemy; seize and hold terrain. Fundamentals of warfare. Who cares which enclave is being “controlled” by which group of arabic-titled extremists?

Something we've forgotten, but the Russians apparently haven't.

[DCBryan1]

Good post. And don’t doubt for a minute that the Russians will us Thermobaric bombs that will rival nearly kiloton range blast effects of nuclear weapons.

[flaglady47]

“Close with and destroy the enemy; seize and hold terrain. Fundamentals of warfare. Who cares which enclave is being “controlled” by which group of arabic-titled extremists?

Something we’ve forgotten, but the Russians apparently haven’t.”

Your whole comment is an excellent summation of what is most likely taking place strategically, move by move, by Russia. Thank you for imparting your knowledge to us.

[Dartman]

Very good analysis. Very good.

[Chgogal]

Well after just 7 years as POTUS, Obama the Bastard had managed to commit a complete FUBAR in the Mid East. How much can the once proud United States of America take? Will the U.S. ever recover from the Obama the Bastard’s presidential eight year term? Isreal must be reeling.

Remember just three weeks ago 50 military intelligence officers revolted against Obama the Bastard. One can only imagine what is going on in the Pentagon between the professionals and Obama the Bastard's political minions.

[miserare]

Good points, all.

The Russians are confident that they will win this one.

Then what, and where?

Domino theory?