Russia steps up military presence in Syria.

No, I am not a Russian shill, but I genuinely believe Mr Putin is providing clear and decisive leadership in finding a solution to end the deadly conflict in Syria that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.

blink.htcsense.com...

BEIRUT (AP) — In ramping up its military involvement in Syria's civil war, Russia appears to be betting that the West, horrified by the Islamic State group's spread and an escalating migrants crisis, may be willing to quietly tolerate President Bashar Assad for a while, perhaps as part of a transition.

The logic is that prioritizing the fight with the jihadis means accepting Assad as the less bad option despite his own brutal acts, and might produce a more effective and coordinated fight in the air and on the ground

This is the most common sense I have heard on the war yet from media.

Work with Assad and the Syrian army to fight ISIS then transition him out at the end of it all. Then people will be able to return home, rebuild and decide their own political destiny.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm over hearing reports of the US coalition bombing Syrian government targets. Weakening the only effective force fighting ISIS in Syria is only going to produce the results we've seen - millions of refugees and a bloody, drawn out conflict.

Seems Germany wants to work with Russia helping to stop ISIS and stopping the flow of refugees:

deutsche-wirtschafts-nachrichten.de...

SYRIA: GERMANY LEAVING THE RANKS OF THE US-ALLIANCE AGAINST RUSSIA
In a surprise move Germany left the anti-Putin-alliance formed by the USA: Germany is now officially welcoming Moscow’s readiness to act in Syria and is starting an initiative together with the Russians and the French to bring an end to the war. This is to stop the constant stream of refugees. Germany has ordered thousands of soldiers into readiness.

Germany surprisingly left the alliance formed together with the United States which intended to block Russia’s entry into the Syrian conflict.
Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen told Der Spiegel that she welcomed president Putin’s intentions of joining the fight against the extremist organization “Islamic State”. It would be a matter of mutual interests, she said.
A speaker of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, Germany would welcome additional efforts of Russia in the fight against IS. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier even announced the starting of a joint venture between him, Russian foreign minister Lavrov and their French colleague Laurent Fabius with the aim of bringing the Syrian civil war to an end. Lavrov and Fabius are expected to arrive in Berlin this Saturday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called upon the US-Ministry of Defence to coordinate their efforts with the Russian military. Because both sides are actively invested in Syria it would be paramount for the US to reinstate the previously ceased operational cooperation with Russia, said Lavrov on Friday in Moscow. This was intended to avoid “unintentional incidents”. Russia’s military drills in the Mediterranean would be in accordance to international law. Larvrov explained furthermore, that Russia would keep delivering weapons to the troops of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to support their struggle against the extremist organization of Islamic State (IS).

Russia already began a diplomatic offensive weeks ago. The Americans did not precisely indicate whether they would support the Russian initiative. Under no circumstances would the US give Russia credit for solving the deadlocked situation, should Russia in fact be successful. Therefore the US-government warned precautionary of a worsening in the refugee crisis should Russia intervene.
Especially the neocons are issuing warnings of any cooperation with Russia in whatever matter. US-President Obama did not clearly state whether the Russian initiative was done in coordination with the White House. Foreign Minister John Kerry went on a surprise visit to Russia in spring which, however, remained without results regarding the Syrian matter. It is likely that the US-government changed their mind in the face of the worsening of the refugee crisis so that they are now willing to cooperate with Russia in the Middle East.

German Frank-Walther Steinmeier has long been trying to conciliate behind the curtains and is therefore constantly in touch with his Russian colleague Lavrov. It looks like he is the only on in the German government who realizes that the refugee crisis will get completely out of control if the war in the middle east continues. Austria and Spain signaled days ago that a Russian participation in the battle against IS was crucial. Russia began expanding its military activities in Syria.

German Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen wants to expand the deployment of the Bundeswehr in Iraq.They Bundeswehr would be ready to continue its successful work in Kurdish regions in cooperation with the Iraqi government, she told Der Spiegel on Saturday. First steps would already be undertaken. Germany delivered medical supplies, helmets and hazard-protections masks. Up to 100 Bundeswehr soldiers are training Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in northern Iraq. Weapons were also delivered.

Von-der Leyen also ordered thousands of German soldiers into readiness in the wake of the refugee crisis. If this was done because of the refugees or hints of terror threats is still unknown. The order was given to the troops a day before, said a speaker of the ministry on Friday in response to a report by Der Spiegel. Up to 4000 soldiers are under constant readiness to be deployed. Hundreds of soldiers were deployed to help accommodate newly-arrived refugees last weekend. The solders are financially compensated for their services under this deployment order.

a reply to: Pluginn

It's a crime on all of our consciences that it took all of these poor displaced souls to have to walk in many cases, from Syria to the EU for people to finally stop and listen.

The best way to stop the flow of refugees is to stop them from being refugees in the first place ie sort out the problem where they live.

a reply to: markosity1973

How about all those war crimes committed by Assad? will we still get to see him in an international court for his numerous war crimes against the brutal torture and killing of his own people before and after the civil war?

a reply to: markosity1973

An interesting turn of events, sorry ISIS, your gonna be left in a pile after this surge.

The Syrian crises has a potential to escalate as more powerhouse countries are joining in the fight.

We might just as well be seeing the start of WW3, when you bear in mind that ISIS maybe the brainchild of the US/Israel war mongers.

a reply to: markosity1973


It's sad yes but this is the case with many things. Like back in Vietnam there was still military service so when enough young guys and sons from example political figures where dying then finally you could see change.

So yes now when the problem comes closer with all those people fleeing finally they do something meaningull.

The best way is for the US for getting out and letting Europe, Russia and perhaps Iran work together with Syria to stop this madness.. I really don't know what the agenda from the US is but it shouldn't be trusted, that seems clear enough.

a reply to: JDmOKI

Well I guess you had the same propaganda going against al-Qadhafi.. the US wants Assad gone, that's clear but the allegations not, also don't forget it's war there so sure it may happen civilians get hurt, it's of course not the goal from Assad killing his own people.

a reply to: Pluginn

So all these people started a civil war for fun and im just fed US propaganda? or maybe you're fed Russian propaganda? The only thing really well documented is the brutal killing of Syrian civilians

a reply to: markosity1973

Assad in power is better than any other (realistic) option. What do the western nations want, Libya and Iraq repeated? A total holocaust of Christians without the secular protection of Assad? Russia is doing what we in Britain wish our government would do and support secular regimes in the ME rather than topple them.

a reply to: Pluginn

So Russia arms Assad and the USA arms the rebels to fight Assad sounds like a perfect solution to stop the killing

a reply to: Pluginn

I bet Germany has no other choice now and since Germany had offered to help provide a home for the refugees, it's only fitting to take the fight to the source in Syria.

There is alot of pressure now on the EU countries given the escalating refugee crises they are faced with.

BBC Source

After a difficult meeting marked by heated debate, there was no unanimous agreement on the proposal to relocate another 120,000 refugees across the EU - with mandatory quotas for individual member states. The idea was to take the strain off countries like Greece and Italy, where most refugees first arrive. A clear majority of countries did agree to the proposal in principle, and that would be enough to push it through if necessary, against the wishes of countries like Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic that remain opposed. For now though, there will be further talks in the hope of maintaining unity, at a time when many of the core values of the European Union are being put under close scrutiny. EU ministers also agreed to push ahead with robust measures to process new arrivals more quickly and efficiently, and send home those whose asylum applications are rejected. But critics will be disappointed that more decisive action was not taken, given the scale of the crisis confronting Europe.

a reply to: ufoorbhunter

Assad can't protect himself against his own people what makes you think he has any desire to protect minority Christians?

a reply to: JDmOKI

What you mean? He isn't fighting against his own people, he is fighting against terrorists/isis. And Christians could live there happily before all those terrorists came in.

a reply to: Pluginn

Not all Syrian rebels are members of ISIS

a reply to: Pluginn

So because they're rebels they suddenly stopped becoming Syrians and became terrorists? Also, just because im challenging your views of Russia and Assad don't make the misconception that im pro US/NATO foreign policy

a reply to: JDmOKI

They where called by western media as moderate rebels but they where just terrorists and not much later you had ISIS..

There is not such a thing as moderate rebels which are just terrorists.

a reply to: JDmOKI

To be fair, the West was involved in the riots and uprising stoking the conflict.

Now, you demand to see Assad dragged in front of a court.. what he is doing is no different to what the US did in Iraq.

whats good for Assad is good for the US

It has been a hard thing to get a good grip on the who's what's where's and why's of this conflict ,especially if you don't factor the other wars going on This vid helps put some context

a reply to: markosity1973

Assad is not going to transition out and Russia and Iran are present in Syria to ensure that outcome.

a reply to: markosity1973

Russia and Syria have an alliance, probably economic (oil), but Russia has in the past and present stated it will interfere if any outside forces land on Syrian ground.

Now Russian forces are on the ground and Obama does not like it. Putin told the U.S. that he (Putin) will not be responsible for any incidents (Russian shooting down drones, even U.S. fighters in the air), giving basically the U.S. a warning to stop interfering.

The next few weeks will be interesting in how the U.S reacts.