Meanwhile in Iraq & Syria

[ssu]

Crimea? Depends really, if it became a big pain in the ass for them, they would probably put it on the table for some sort of quid pro quo, so long as they got to keep their military basing rights.

Crimea cannot ever such a big pain in the ass that they would give it back, Smitty.

Nonsense, in case you missed it, the Russians gave all of Eastern Europe back, the idea that there are no circumstances in which the Russians would be forced to hand territory back, is ludicrous, they're the biggest territory handing backers of all time.

Eastern Europe wasn't part of Mother Russia. And is Russia handing out Kaliningrad?

They would be forced by war, that's true, just like any country.

But otherwise, no fucking way.

[heydaralon]

Crimea? Depends really, if it became a big pain in the ass for them, they would probably put it on the table for some sort of quid pro quo, so long as they got to keep their military basing rights.

Crimea cannot ever such a big pain in the ass that they would give it back, Smitty.

Nonsense, in case you missed it, the Russians gave all of Eastern Europe back, the idea that there are no circumstances in which the Russians would be forced to hand territory back, is ludicrous, they're the biggest territory handing backers of all time.

Russia is a total basket case, by the time all is said and done, they could be coming back to the Ukrainians on their knees begging for change, the Russian Hegenomy collapses into disorder, at regular intervals.

Your MO of course is to ceaslessly try to spin Putin as being some sort of strategic genius and Russia as this rising powerhouse, when Putin is as about a big a genius as Hugo Chavez was, and Russia is about as stable as Venezuela.

Contrary to your bullshit narrative, Putin taking Crimea was not some bold move planned by brilliant Machiavellian scheming, it was done out of sheer desperation, because the oil price was tanking and with it the Russian economic boom, so Putin reacted in a panic and went into Crimea as a distraction from the fact, that like Venezuela, without $125 a barrel oil, Putin's big plans for Russia, have now all gone down the tubes, thanks to Saudi Arabia, the same folks who brought you Russia's last total collapse, otherwise known as the end of the Cold War.

Russia's prospects go on a cycle with the oil booms and busts, when oil booms to over $100 a barrel, the Russians are making big plans, when oil busts back down to $20 a barrel, whoops, back to being a glorified Third World Country, to wit, Russia; a giant Venezuela, with nukes.

You take that back! Nobody talks about Putin that way!

[adwinistrator]

Russia's prospects go on a cycle with the oil booms and busts, when oil booms to over $100 a barrel, the Russians are making big plans, when oil busts back down to $20 a barrel, whoops, back to being a glorified Third World Country, to wit, Russia; a giant Venezuela, with nukes.

Don't worry Ruski's, oil will be back to $100 any day now...



My guess on future developments: Trump administration attempts a "grand bargain" with Russia as part of Syrian peace plan. They'll try to give Russia and Turkey more of what they want in order to keep Iran out of the "guarantors". Kurds will get fucked over, Russia gets some sanctions lifted, we get involved in peace keeping operations with Russia and Turkey in the newly established safe zones.

[TheReal_ND]

Turkish-led Euphrates Shield Commander Abu Ebrahim al-Tavil was shot several times by unidentified assailants in al-Bab city and succumbed to death after he was transferred to a nearby hospital.
https://twitter.com/A_Ozkok/status/860608819151372292
roach got rekt

[heydaralon]

It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

[TheReal_ND]

Developments May, 7
In Secular Syria, Pork Eats You edition:
>FSA-aligned faction retook the hill Tall Saad in Sweida
>NDF captured Talat Mudrajat in east Homs
>N. Hama: SAA seizes Zilaqiat
>al-Qaboun: some rebels ask for evacuation agreement since E ghouta groups are fighting
>DeZ:IS offensive repelled bySAA
>1000+ HTS militants+families will depart frm Yarmouk Camp to Idlib, negotiations with IS militants ongoing
>HTS launches new offensive in SE Hama, NDF retreats several points near Al-Salamiyah
>Despite a safe zone in Daraa clashes erupted between SAA and FSA
>IS suicide bomber hits Kurdish convoy north of Raqqa, 20 dead, 10+ injured
>Tiger Forces deployed E. Aleppo
>FSA troops 70km south of Palmyra
>Amaq:IS raids US military base in Iraq

[Fife]

I thought we bombed that place already?

When do I get my feral pig safari dividend?

[TheReal_ND]

Please gibs back strap inshallah

[TheReal_ND]

Developments May, 8
Iran has no chill edition:
>Syrian FM: we will take control of Jordanian border between Suweyda & DeZ
>Rastan pocket on the brink of humanitarian crisis
>Maskaneh offensive expected, Tigers redeployed
>Large gainz in Badia al-Ham by SAA
>1000+ people evacuated from Barzeh, Qaboun to be evacuated soon
>1000+ HTS militants+families will depart frm Yarmouk Camp to Idlib, negotiations with IS militants ongoing
>DeZ:IS offensive repelled by SAA
>HTS launches new offensive in SE Hama, NDF retreats several points near Al-Salamiyah
>Despite a safe zone in Daraa clashes erupted between SAA and FSA
>IS suicide bomber hits Kurdish convoy north of Raqqa, 20 dead, 10+ injured
>Amaq:IS raids US military base in Iraq

[heydaralon]

Would you rather live in a full septic tank or Iraq? I would go with Iraq. Actually I wouldn't.