Posted on 08/22/2016 8:46:15 PM PDT by amorphous
Over the course of the 5 year-long civil war in Syria, the US has slowly escalated its military involvement. However one significant move which they have so far failed to implement is a No Fly Zone (NFZ) enforced by their aircraft over all (or just part) of Syria.
Despite this, today the US may have tacitly announced just such a NFZ. In a press conference this evening, the Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook, made a number of statements regarding US forces in Syria. These statements came following reports that the US backed SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) had been bombed by Assad Regime aircraft in the city of Hasakah in northern Syria. Such airstrikes were also dangerously close to US Special Forces who were assisting the SDF in their fight against ISIS.
Specifically Peter Cook said that the US would use its airpower “as needed” to protect US personnel and partner operations. The aim of this was reportedly to send a message to other parties to “stay away from our forces”.
"We are fighting ISIL...and we will defend our forces,” Peter Cook also remarked.
Despite these comments Cook did take the time to deny that such a move would constitute a No Fly Zone. Given this denial, it’s worth looking at how the statement made by the Pentagon differs from a no fly zone.
In US military doctrine, an NFZ is enforced as an ‘Exclusion Zone’, wherein a specific action (in this case flying aircraft) is prohibited. Such a zone must exist over a defined geographic area, and should it be breached, it could be enforced through military means.
With this in mind, what was declared today by the Pentagon differs from what is commonly referred to as a No Fly Zone, for two key reasons. The first of these is that the US did not declare a specific geographic area in which they would use their airpower to defend their forces. Indeed they did not even specify which forces they meant. Secondly, the US statement suggests they would only take action to defend against aircraft should they attack US-aligned forces, rather than simply flying through the airspace.
I’m still not sure who’s side we are on here. I know according to McCain, jug ears and the turtle we aren’t on Assad’s side but who are we backing here in a place we are illegally in? Are we backing Iran, Saudi Arabia, ISIS, al Nursa, Al Quada? Which is it?
I doubt the boy even know who standing with, ask Hillary
What’s the name? It seems to be one I’ve missed.
I really doubt Putin will be intimidated by Obama.
I think we’re in bed with al-Nusra and al-Queda. We established ITHIL but then they started embarrassing us with the head chopping videos on the internet, so now we pretend to fight them.
It was in the news that F22s are the ones flying cover for the SOFs on the ground. So knocking them out of the air might not be that easy to do, and any Russian or Syrian aircraft that attempts it, is as good as dead. Russia’s newest SAMs may not even be that effective against the F22.
If so he is gonna have to transport $400 Million in unmarked bills by Sea or Over Land to his favorite muslim
This is not even &^*&(^***^( anymore
151 Days
Hit me Laz!
The F22’s are not very stealthy against the S-400.
Some experts fear that our B2 stealth bombers are also at risk from that system.
We may be unlucky enough to have all this tested very soon :-/
The scary thing is if Putin discovered he can’t take out US air power with the S-400 he will just strike our carriers and bases.
We are the bad guys here :-( I really, really hate being the bad guys who are protecting mindless jihadis and the Muslim Brotherhood types.
Beam me up!
HNIFC?
For now, Putin seems to be content with biding his time, moving his chess pieces around, forcing us into a corner. If Putin gains Turkey and Iraq, our options for supporting boots on the ground in northern Syria, seem pretty limited.
I think that is what Putin is waiting for. I don't think Obama wants to escalate things in an election year, as that would only benefit Trump.
Unless he wants war as an good excuse to postpone the election and stay in office.
Oh the did indeed.....I hope it is no more effective than the red line
If that is his plan, the staying in office will not do him much good if a mushroom cloud appears over DC or any other American city.
See today's Moon of Alabama analysis, it explains the situation quite well. Syria - The U.S. Creates More Chaos While The Grown-Ups Talk Resolution
The game plan:
Start a war with Russia.
Blame it on Trump.
Promise Hillary will fix it.
Democrats are determined to start a shooting war with Russia.
“Has Russia just threatened nuclear war, again?”
The nice thing about modernized conventional weapons is that you don’t need nukes. All the Russians have to do use their S-400 and it’s game over.
When did Congress declare that a State of War existed between the Nation of Syria and the United States of America?
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