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I'm not really aware of what's going on in Syria, and not really sure who's worse - Assad or the rebels, but it seems clear that Iran & Russia, which were main

I'm not really aware of what's going on in Syria, and not really sure who's worse - Assad or the rebels, but it seems clear that Iran & Russia, which were main backers of Assad regime, appears extremely weak. That's understandable for Iran which may want to avoid to overextend itself following the recent events, but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all. In any case, it seems like there are several very important events happening recently that may reshape the world for the years to come.

space_fountain 2y ago
Russia is fighting a war of attrition in Ukraine, I think they might have worried about over extending too or just logistically been unable to devote significant resources
sydd 2y ago
Russia is putting everything it has to the Ukrainian front since 2.5 years and signs of exhaustion are clearly visible. They have lived up their Soviet tank reserves, are offering astronomical amounts of money for soldiers, are using north Korean ammunition, huge inflation etc
- TheAlchemist 2y ago
  That's what I'm thinking too. But if that's true, it means Ukraine has a real fighting chance to put them on their knees. In any case, this seems like a major loss for Russia.
  - oldpersonintx 2y ago
    Ukraine is also exhausted its time for America to stop pushing Ukrainians into the firing line
    - scott_w 2y ago
      [flagged]
      - instig007 2y ago
        [flagged]
        scott_w 2y ago
        [flagged]
        instig007 2y ago
        how did you check it?
        scott_w 2y ago
        Here's a news report: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/26/europe/ukraine-zelensky-evacuation-intl/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/26/europe/ukraine-zelensky-e... I'll translate the quote to your native language for you: Мне нужны боеприпасы, а не поездка I apologise if it's not exact, I used Google Translate.
        instig007 2y ago
        > I'll translate the quote to your native language for you that's very presumptious of you > Here's a news report are you saying that CNN knows about the conditions and preferences of Ukrainians better than Ukrainians in Kiyv? "You might want to stop taking [CNN] as your news source."
        scott_w 2y ago
        > are you saying that CNN knows about the conditions and preferences of Ukrainians better than Ukrainians in Kiyv? I'm saying CNN knows more about the conditions and preferences of the Ukrainian people than you do. I've yet to see a shred of evidence for any of your insinuations.
    - talldayo 2y ago
      It's time to double down and hope Russia gives up Crimea like they just abandoned Syria. Even Donald Trump is not stupid enough to miss an opportunity to play his enemies against one another.
  - postingawayonhn 2y ago
    > it means Ukraine has a real fighting chance to put them on their knees. Yes, and this point has been obvious to many for the last two years. The problem has been the west drip feeding aid into the largest war since WW2. We actually have to define the objective as reclaiming all Ukranian territory (at least to the pre-2022 borders) and supply them appropriately. It might be expensive in the short-term but we can afford it, can seize the $300B of Russian assets, and will be able to reduce our defensive forces in the future use to the reduced Russian threat. The problem now is that we may have run out of time with Ukraine experiencing significant manpower issues. They could mobilise a lot more people, but that will mean women and younger men (currently only 25+) from a generation that is already very thin. We can ask Ukraine to do this, but we they will need an ironclad commitment that we will supply them with everything they ask for.
    - fooker 2y ago
      The purpose of the drip feeding is, unfortunately, to get Russia closer to a total collapse rather than a quick loss for them to retreat and build up their strength again for the next 20ish years to repeat it. It’s not ideal for Ukraine right now.
      - postingawayonhn 2y ago
        I have heard this argument before, but I'm not particularly convinced. Either way pretty much all their pre-war modern equipment has already been destroyed. Now they're fighting with really old stuff like T-55s pulled from storage, newly manufactured equipment, or whatever North Korea thinks it can spare.
        brabel 2y ago
        Your impression of Russia's war capabilities is vastly mistaken. "According to Joseph Fitsanakis, professor of intelligence and security studies at Coastal Carolina University, “Russian military production is currently outpacing that of the US and all of NATO member states combined. This may be hard to believe, but Russia is obligated to do it if it is going to outpace the support given to Ukraine." Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/russia-races-ahead-of-nato-in-weapons-production-for-ukraine-war-sipri https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/russia-races-ahead-...
  - dyauspitr 2y ago
    Maybe but our Putin loving president might do everything he can to help Russia once he’s in power this January.
  - throw0101d 2y ago
    > That's what I'm thinking too. But if that's true, it means Ukraine has a real fighting chance to put them on their knees. Which may depend on continued US support from the newly elected administration.
    - Dah00n 2y ago
      I mostly depend on manpower. Which they are lacking.
  - mahirsaid 2y ago
    This is the result of allies helping Ukraine I don’t think they have any interest in Ukraine, but the alternative is Russia seizing Ukraine. This would have been possible 6 months after the war started. Remember that more than half of Ukrainians are not technically supporting zelensky. This conflict like many others is over complicated yet it's simplified in the west.
    - mongol 2y ago
      What do you mean with not technically supporting Zelensky? Do they not want to resist Russia like he does? Or do they prefer someone else to do it instead?
    - scott_w 2y ago
      > Remember that more than half of Ukrainians are not technically supporting zelensky. This is normal in any political system, even during times of war. The UK during WWII still had many Labour MPs, meaning a significant portion of the British electorate did NOT support Churchill by definition. However, most people were united in their opposition to the Nazis. That didn’t stop them voting out Churchill the first chance they got once the war was over. I don’t think anyone is seriously naive enough to think the entirety of Ukraine loves Zelenskyy without reservation, however its clear that the Ukrainian people have no desire to let the Russians expand their campaign of torture, rape and murder throughout the country.
- tim333 2y ago
  The Ukrainian "Losses of the Russian military" figures are quite impressive. Currently showing 750,000 personnel, 9500 tanks, 21000 artillery systems. Obviously the numbers are something of a guess but it's a lot. A recent update: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1h9c3dt/losses_of_the_russian_military_to_8122024/ https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1h9c3dt/losses_of_...
- EasyMark 2y ago
  I really have hopes that they can reach a ceasefire and that Ukraine can come into NATO to prevent further Russian aggression. Ideally let those Ukrainians who want to enter the “new” Ukraine. I think Putin is of the mind that he has to win something or his role as Russian dictator has a very short life expectancy, and he is quite desperate. I don’t think he will give up any of the land that Russia has acquired though.
otherme123 2y ago
> but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all. Russia is a country with a modest GDP. They are very close to Mexico or Brazil both in GDP and population. We wouldn't be surprised that Mexico couldn't hold multiple wars
- refulgentis 2y ago
  Russia's military is about 4-5x the size in men and 10x the budget, and 10x compounded over years, and years, and years. What's a GDP? :)
  - postingawayonhn 2y ago
    GDP is a measure of economic output. If your economy doesn't produce much then it is very hard to sustain a high intensity war.
    - otherme123 2y ago
      Specially a modern war, in a foreign country were you can't play resistance. Modern war logistics are difficult and expensive.
    - sgt 2y ago
      Russia can turn into a war economy - which means GDP is nearly irrelevant. Right now they're doing warfare while still keeping the lights on at little inconvenience for the public. They can change that around.
      - postingawayonhn 2y ago
        They can shift production from consumer goods to war goods, but total productive capacity won't grow dramatically. Productive capacity will likely decline due to the large number of able bodied men sent to their deaths or to be maimed.
      - DoughnutHole 2y ago
        You don’t just press a button that says “war economy” and then everything turns out fine. You drive massive inflation, weaken consumer markets, take on massive debts and eventually run out of young men. Pretty much every nation bar the US was on the verge of economic collapse by the end of WWI (and Russia’s did). The financial burden of two world wars killed the French and British empires. Germany’s WWII war economy was totally unstainable and the USSR’s was bankrolled by the US lend-lease program. It’s not a panacea - it’s just what you have to do to drive enough military production to sustain a near-peer conflict.
paxys 2y ago
> but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all. Is it really? Russia literally has to rely on North Korean soldiers to continue their own "special operation" a few miles away. Their power projection ability is now zero.
- nwatson 2y ago
  They haven't yet forced conscription. There's plenty of manpower available to Russia through this very unpopular measure. If pressed they'll do it, the question will be whether Putin survives the young people of Moscow and St Petersburg joining the meat waves.
  - KptMarchewa 2y ago
    They critically lack the manpower in the economy, and have to replace all the imports that closed due to sanction. And inflation is already running rampant. They maybe can do the good old Goebbels "total war" and stop producing consumer goods, but not sure if that's something they want to do.
  - LoKSET 2y ago
    They haven't because this might actually finally wake up at least part of the people and cause problems for Dear leader. Let's hope Trump doesn't fold immediately and give the situation more time to develop.
    - Dah00n 2y ago
      Time equals worse lack of manpower for Ukraine. Time is on Russia's side as it is.
- ralfd 2y ago
  There is still no proof for North Korean soldiers at the front and pro-russian bloggers make fun of it in ironic memes. I now think it was either only a few North Korean officers or it was just Ukrainian propaganda to justify more western support.
Timber-6539 2y ago
Nothing ever happens. In this case other than maybe an advancement of a greater Isreal in the middle east.
flohofwoe 2y ago
> but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all Did you miss that Russia has to import cannon fodder, artillery grenades and missiles from North Korea and attack drones from Iran? I don't think they have any resources to spare in Syria at the moment.
- GordonS 2y ago
  There hasn't been a single scrap of evidence to support the claims of Russia using North Korean... there have however been several cases of the media getting caught lying about it, doctoring photos etc: https://x.com/AXChristoforou/status/1864324321960972298?t=4HMT1l1cKCYbcmGWYyaOBw https://x.com/AXChristoforou/status/1864324321960972298?t=4H... https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1864447294474457245?t=yK0OU-9joP0JyCuZkMpT4g https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1864447294474457245?t=yK0OU-9... The North Korean claims appear to be complete lies, designed to make Russia look bad.
  - phsau 2y ago
    https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3955757/pentagon-says-10k-north-korean-troops-in-kursk-oblast/ https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/39... The DoD says North Korean soldiers are already in Kursk and preparing? News of NK armament deliveries and use is old at this point and not debatable. Is the DoD spreading fake news? Just because they haven't seen front-line combat _in Ukraine_ doesn't mean Russia isn't using NK assets.
    - GordonS 2y ago
      Yes? Hasn't the DoD also maintained the line that there are no US forces in Syria for years too? It's really not so surprising that they'd lie.
      - jt2190 2y ago
        > Hasn't the DoD also maintained the line that there are no US forces in Syria for years too? If that’s true, they might want to stop publishing press releases about their actions in Syria. “CENCOM Destroys Threatening Weapons Systems in Syria” https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3983858/centcom-destroys-threatening-weapons-systems-in-syria/ https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/39... “US will remain in eastern Syria and seek to prevent IS resurgence, Pentagon says” https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-will-remain-eastern-syria-seek-prevent-is-resurgence-pentagon-says-2024-12-08/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-will-remain-eas...
beretguy 2y ago
> it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all Easy. Because russia is all talk and no do. If you punch russia in the face it folds in half.
- roenxi 2y ago
  They're spilling a lot of blood right now because they felt the Ukraine was intolerable. You can accuse them of a lot of things (war crimes and disastrous stupidity among them) but "all talk and no do" is bizarre. On the military front they are responsible for something close to the most doing in Europe since WWII and their pain tolerance in doing has been demonstrated to be remarkably high.
  - ashoeafoot 2y ago
    The ukraine.. the ukraine..
    - beretguy 2y ago
      The moskovia... the moskovia
- Dah00n 2y ago
  Another armchair general that has never met a single Russian.
  - beretguy 2y ago
    Speak for yourself
FrustratedMonky 2y ago
" not really sure who's worse" What is the hot take on the rebels.? Are these the ones the US was backing a few years ago against ISIS? Is this another case of the replacement is worse? Or not? Assad was so bad for using chemical weapons on citizens, the US couldn't conceive of worse? But is that true?
- Ygg2 2y ago
  > What is the hot take on the rebels.? > "with this spirit… we will not only reach Damascus, but, Allah permitting, Jerusalem will be awaiting our arrival” https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-rebel-fighters-syria-abu-mohammed-al-jawlani-13840682.html https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-re... > Assad was so bad for using chemical weapons on citizens, the US couldn't conceive of worse? But is that true? I never doubt in ability of US to snatch defeat from jaws of victory. I'm starting to think they do it on purpose. I mean chaos is good for Raytheon stocks.
- Eumenes 2y ago
  > Assad was so bad for using chemical weapons on citizens Thats fake/contested https://x.com/scotthortonshow/status/1863289718890193160 https://x.com/scotthortonshow/status/1863289718890193160
  - KptMarchewa 2y ago
    Stop reading russian propaganda. There's zero truth in that word salad.
    - Eumenes 2y ago
      What trusted sources do you have on middle eastern conflicts? The Council on Foreign Relations, The Atlantic Council? Foreign Affairs magazine? These institutions are stocked with neocon stooges whose advice have only invaded half the middle east (always under false pretenses), killed countless innocence, displaced millions, brought "democracy", etc. Scott Horton and antiwar.com have been pumping out real journalism for 20+ years.
roenxi 2y ago
> but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all. The dust hasn't settled, but my assumption is that the Russians had a sort-of working plan that the Syrian army would do the heavy lifting and Russia would be funnelling in supplies and providing power for key points - following a proxy-war style defensive model. Given the speed and totality of the Syrian army's collapse they didn't really have anything to do that wouldn't be hideously draining on resources that they don't really have. The collapse of the Syrians may be related to the Russian military being distracted by the Ukraine war in an indirect or direct way. My base case guess is the Turks/Turk-backed faction spotted an opportunity while the Russians were distracted and went for it, and the Syrian forces were complacent because they hadn't really prepared for the situation where Russia is in a war elsewhere.
- Eddy_Viscosity2 2y ago
  I also fall into the not fully understanding the dynamics at play here. What happens it the Assad family loses? Who would likely take control? Would this be better or worse for the regular Syrian person?
  - nradov 2y ago
    There is no regular Syrian person. Like most other Middle Eastern countries, Syrian is a random collection of different tribes, sects, and ethnicities forced together by historical accident. Most of those groups don't particularly like each other. So the outcome will be good for some Syrians and terrible for others. Expect another wave of refugees heading to Europe.
  - ashoeafoot 2y ago
    isis 2.0
sandmn 2y ago
In the previous active phase of war in Syria Hezbollah was one of the main Assad supporters that provided manpower. They are extremely weakened right now, so in a way rebels can thank Israel for indirect help.
- xenospn 2y ago
  Pretty sure they were waiting for Hezbollah to hit rock bottom (i.e. ceasefire).
- netsharc 2y ago
  I remember reading an analysis a few months ago that Biden (or the US foreign policy in general) was letting Israel continue its conflicts in order to weaken Iran and Russia. From the cold-blooded point of view, it makes sense, somehow "It's fine" when the US bombs are being dropped by the IDF, and screwing Russia helps Ukraine and Europe too. But probably that's a myopic point of view, a lot of the world has burning hatred against Israel and the USA now.

space_fountain 2y ago

Russia is fighting a war of attrition in Ukraine, I think they might have worried about over extending too or just logistically been unable to devote significant resources

sydd 2y ago

Russia is putting everything it has to the Ukrainian front since 2.5 years and signs of exhaustion are clearly visible. They have lived up their Soviet tank reserves, are offering astronomical amounts of money for soldiers, are using north Korean ammunition, huge inflation etc

TheAlchemist 2y ago
That's what I'm thinking too. But if that's true, it means Ukraine has a real fighting chance to put them on their knees. In any case, this seems like a major loss for Russia.
- oldpersonintx 2y ago
  Ukraine is also exhausted its time for America to stop pushing Ukrainians into the firing line
  - scott_w 2y ago
    [flagged]
    - instig007 2y ago
      [flagged]
      - scott_w 2y ago
        [flagged]
        instig007 2y ago
        how did you check it?
        scott_w 2y ago
        Here's a news report: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/26/europe/ukraine-zelensky-evacuation-intl/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/26/europe/ukraine-zelensky-e... I'll translate the quote to your native language for you: Мне нужны боеприпасы, а не поездка I apologise if it's not exact, I used Google Translate.
        instig007 2y ago
        > I'll translate the quote to your native language for you that's very presumptious of you > Here's a news report are you saying that CNN knows about the conditions and preferences of Ukrainians better than Ukrainians in Kiyv? "You might want to stop taking [CNN] as your news source."
        scott_w 2y ago
        > are you saying that CNN knows about the conditions and preferences of Ukrainians better than Ukrainians in Kiyv? I'm saying CNN knows more about the conditions and preferences of the Ukrainian people than you do. I've yet to see a shred of evidence for any of your insinuations.
  - talldayo 2y ago
    It's time to double down and hope Russia gives up Crimea like they just abandoned Syria. Even Donald Trump is not stupid enough to miss an opportunity to play his enemies against one another.
- postingawayonhn 2y ago
  > it means Ukraine has a real fighting chance to put them on their knees. Yes, and this point has been obvious to many for the last two years. The problem has been the west drip feeding aid into the largest war since WW2. We actually have to define the objective as reclaiming all Ukranian territory (at least to the pre-2022 borders) and supply them appropriately. It might be expensive in the short-term but we can afford it, can seize the $300B of Russian assets, and will be able to reduce our defensive forces in the future use to the reduced Russian threat. The problem now is that we may have run out of time with Ukraine experiencing significant manpower issues. They could mobilise a lot more people, but that will mean women and younger men (currently only 25+) from a generation that is already very thin. We can ask Ukraine to do this, but we they will need an ironclad commitment that we will supply them with everything they ask for.
  - fooker 2y ago
    The purpose of the drip feeding is, unfortunately, to get Russia closer to a total collapse rather than a quick loss for them to retreat and build up their strength again for the next 20ish years to repeat it. It’s not ideal for Ukraine right now.
    - postingawayonhn 2y ago
      I have heard this argument before, but I'm not particularly convinced. Either way pretty much all their pre-war modern equipment has already been destroyed. Now they're fighting with really old stuff like T-55s pulled from storage, newly manufactured equipment, or whatever North Korea thinks it can spare.
      - brabel 2y ago
        Your impression of Russia's war capabilities is vastly mistaken. "According to Joseph Fitsanakis, professor of intelligence and security studies at Coastal Carolina University, “Russian military production is currently outpacing that of the US and all of NATO member states combined. This may be hard to believe, but Russia is obligated to do it if it is going to outpace the support given to Ukraine." Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/russia-races-ahead-of-nato-in-weapons-production-for-ukraine-war-sipri https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/russia-races-ahead-...
- dyauspitr 2y ago
  Maybe but our Putin loving president might do everything he can to help Russia once he’s in power this January.
- throw0101d 2y ago
  > That's what I'm thinking too. But if that's true, it means Ukraine has a real fighting chance to put them on their knees. Which may depend on continued US support from the newly elected administration.
  - Dah00n 2y ago
    I mostly depend on manpower. Which they are lacking.
- mahirsaid 2y ago
  This is the result of allies helping Ukraine I don’t think they have any interest in Ukraine, but the alternative is Russia seizing Ukraine. This would have been possible 6 months after the war started. Remember that more than half of Ukrainians are not technically supporting zelensky. This conflict like many others is over complicated yet it's simplified in the west.
  - mongol 2y ago
    What do you mean with not technically supporting Zelensky? Do they not want to resist Russia like he does? Or do they prefer someone else to do it instead?
  - scott_w 2y ago
    > Remember that more than half of Ukrainians are not technically supporting zelensky. This is normal in any political system, even during times of war. The UK during WWII still had many Labour MPs, meaning a significant portion of the British electorate did NOT support Churchill by definition. However, most people were united in their opposition to the Nazis. That didn’t stop them voting out Churchill the first chance they got once the war was over. I don’t think anyone is seriously naive enough to think the entirety of Ukraine loves Zelenskyy without reservation, however its clear that the Ukrainian people have no desire to let the Russians expand their campaign of torture, rape and murder throughout the country.
tim333 2y ago
The Ukrainian "Losses of the Russian military" figures are quite impressive. Currently showing 750,000 personnel, 9500 tanks, 21000 artillery systems. Obviously the numbers are something of a guess but it's a lot. A recent update: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1h9c3dt/losses_of_the_russian_military_to_8122024/ https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1h9c3dt/losses_of_...
EasyMark 2y ago
I really have hopes that they can reach a ceasefire and that Ukraine can come into NATO to prevent further Russian aggression. Ideally let those Ukrainians who want to enter the “new” Ukraine. I think Putin is of the mind that he has to win something or his role as Russian dictator has a very short life expectancy, and he is quite desperate. I don’t think he will give up any of the land that Russia has acquired though.

otherme123 2y ago

> but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all. Russia is a country with a modest GDP. They are very close to Mexico or Brazil both in GDP and population. We wouldn't be surprised that Mexico couldn't hold multiple wars

refulgentis 2y ago
Russia's military is about 4-5x the size in men and 10x the budget, and 10x compounded over years, and years, and years. What's a GDP? :)
- postingawayonhn 2y ago
  GDP is a measure of economic output. If your economy doesn't produce much then it is very hard to sustain a high intensity war.
  - otherme123 2y ago
    Specially a modern war, in a foreign country were you can't play resistance. Modern war logistics are difficult and expensive.
  - sgt 2y ago
    Russia can turn into a war economy - which means GDP is nearly irrelevant. Right now they're doing warfare while still keeping the lights on at little inconvenience for the public. They can change that around.
    - postingawayonhn 2y ago
      They can shift production from consumer goods to war goods, but total productive capacity won't grow dramatically. Productive capacity will likely decline due to the large number of able bodied men sent to their deaths or to be maimed.
    - DoughnutHole 2y ago
      You don’t just press a button that says “war economy” and then everything turns out fine. You drive massive inflation, weaken consumer markets, take on massive debts and eventually run out of young men. Pretty much every nation bar the US was on the verge of economic collapse by the end of WWI (and Russia’s did). The financial burden of two world wars killed the French and British empires. Germany’s WWII war economy was totally unstainable and the USSR’s was bankrolled by the US lend-lease program. It’s not a panacea - it’s just what you have to do to drive enough military production to sustain a near-peer conflict.

paxys 2y ago

> but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all. Is it really? Russia literally has to rely on North Korean soldiers to continue their own "special operation" a few miles away. Their power projection ability is now zero.

nwatson 2y ago
They haven't yet forced conscription. There's plenty of manpower available to Russia through this very unpopular measure. If pressed they'll do it, the question will be whether Putin survives the young people of Moscow and St Petersburg joining the meat waves.
- KptMarchewa 2y ago
  They critically lack the manpower in the economy, and have to replace all the imports that closed due to sanction. And inflation is already running rampant. They maybe can do the good old Goebbels "total war" and stop producing consumer goods, but not sure if that's something they want to do.
- LoKSET 2y ago
  They haven't because this might actually finally wake up at least part of the people and cause problems for Dear leader. Let's hope Trump doesn't fold immediately and give the situation more time to develop.
  - Dah00n 2y ago
    Time equals worse lack of manpower for Ukraine. Time is on Russia's side as it is.
ralfd 2y ago
There is still no proof for North Korean soldiers at the front and pro-russian bloggers make fun of it in ironic memes. I now think it was either only a few North Korean officers or it was just Ukrainian propaganda to justify more western support.

Timber-6539 2y ago

Nothing ever happens. In this case other than maybe an advancement of a greater Isreal in the middle east.

flohofwoe 2y ago

> but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all Did you miss that Russia has to import cannon fodder, artillery grenades and missiles from North Korea and attack drones from Iran? I don't think they have any resources to spare in Syria at the moment.

GordonS 2y ago
There hasn't been a single scrap of evidence to support the claims of Russia using North Korean... there have however been several cases of the media getting caught lying about it, doctoring photos etc: https://x.com/AXChristoforou/status/1864324321960972298?t=4HMT1l1cKCYbcmGWYyaOBw https://x.com/AXChristoforou/status/1864324321960972298?t=4H... https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1864447294474457245?t=yK0OU-9joP0JyCuZkMpT4g https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1864447294474457245?t=yK0OU-9... The North Korean claims appear to be complete lies, designed to make Russia look bad.
- phsau 2y ago
  https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3955757/pentagon-says-10k-north-korean-troops-in-kursk-oblast/ https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/39... The DoD says North Korean soldiers are already in Kursk and preparing? News of NK armament deliveries and use is old at this point and not debatable. Is the DoD spreading fake news? Just because they haven't seen front-line combat _in Ukraine_ doesn't mean Russia isn't using NK assets.
  - GordonS 2y ago
    Yes? Hasn't the DoD also maintained the line that there are no US forces in Syria for years too? It's really not so surprising that they'd lie.
    - jt2190 2y ago
      > Hasn't the DoD also maintained the line that there are no US forces in Syria for years too? If that’s true, they might want to stop publishing press releases about their actions in Syria. “CENCOM Destroys Threatening Weapons Systems in Syria” https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3983858/centcom-destroys-threatening-weapons-systems-in-syria/ https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/39... “US will remain in eastern Syria and seek to prevent IS resurgence, Pentagon says” https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-will-remain-eastern-syria-seek-prevent-is-resurgence-pentagon-says-2024-12-08/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-will-remain-eas...

beretguy 2y ago

> it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all Easy. Because russia is all talk and no do. If you punch russia in the face it folds in half.

roenxi 2y ago
They're spilling a lot of blood right now because they felt the Ukraine was intolerable. You can accuse them of a lot of things (war crimes and disastrous stupidity among them) but "all talk and no do" is bizarre. On the military front they are responsible for something close to the most doing in Europe since WWII and their pain tolerance in doing has been demonstrated to be remarkably high.
- ashoeafoot 2y ago
  The ukraine.. the ukraine..
  - beretguy 2y ago
    The moskovia... the moskovia
Dah00n 2y ago
Another armchair general that has never met a single Russian.
- beretguy 2y ago
  Speak for yourself

FrustratedMonky 2y ago

" not really sure who's worse" What is the hot take on the rebels.? Are these the ones the US was backing a few years ago against ISIS? Is this another case of the replacement is worse? Or not? Assad was so bad for using chemical weapons on citizens, the US couldn't conceive of worse? But is that true?

Ygg2 2y ago
> What is the hot take on the rebels.? > "with this spirit… we will not only reach Damascus, but, Allah permitting, Jerusalem will be awaiting our arrival” https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-rebel-fighters-syria-abu-mohammed-al-jawlani-13840682.html https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-re... > Assad was so bad for using chemical weapons on citizens, the US couldn't conceive of worse? But is that true? I never doubt in ability of US to snatch defeat from jaws of victory. I'm starting to think they do it on purpose. I mean chaos is good for Raytheon stocks.
Eumenes 2y ago
> Assad was so bad for using chemical weapons on citizens Thats fake/contested https://x.com/scotthortonshow/status/1863289718890193160 https://x.com/scotthortonshow/status/1863289718890193160
- KptMarchewa 2y ago
  Stop reading russian propaganda. There's zero truth in that word salad.
  - Eumenes 2y ago
    What trusted sources do you have on middle eastern conflicts? The Council on Foreign Relations, The Atlantic Council? Foreign Affairs magazine? These institutions are stocked with neocon stooges whose advice have only invaded half the middle east (always under false pretenses), killed countless innocence, displaced millions, brought "democracy", etc. Scott Horton and antiwar.com have been pumping out real journalism for 20+ years.

roenxi 2y ago

> but it's hard to comprehend why Russia was unable to do anything at all. The dust hasn't settled, but my assumption is that the Russians had a sort-of working plan that the Syrian army would do the heavy lifting and Russia would be funnelling in supplies and providing power for key points - following a proxy-war style defensive model. Given the speed and totality of the Syrian army's collapse they didn't really have anything to do that wouldn't be hideously draining on resources that they don't really have. The collapse of the Syrians may be related to the Russian military being distracted by the Ukraine war in an indirect or direct way. My base case guess is the Turks/Turk-backed faction spotted an opportunity while the Russians were distracted and went for it, and the Syrian forces were complacent because they hadn't really prepared for the situation where Russia is in a war elsewhere.

Eddy_Viscosity2 2y ago
I also fall into the not fully understanding the dynamics at play here. What happens it the Assad family loses? Who would likely take control? Would this be better or worse for the regular Syrian person?
- nradov 2y ago
  There is no regular Syrian person. Like most other Middle Eastern countries, Syrian is a random collection of different tribes, sects, and ethnicities forced together by historical accident. Most of those groups don't particularly like each other. So the outcome will be good for some Syrians and terrible for others. Expect another wave of refugees heading to Europe.
- ashoeafoot 2y ago
  isis 2.0

sandmn 2y ago

In the previous active phase of war in Syria Hezbollah was one of the main Assad supporters that provided manpower. They are extremely weakened right now, so in a way rebels can thank Israel for indirect help.

xenospn 2y ago
Pretty sure they were waiting for Hezbollah to hit rock bottom (i.e. ceasefire).
netsharc 2y ago
I remember reading an analysis a few months ago that Biden (or the US foreign policy in general) was letting Israel continue its conflicts in order to weaken Iran and Russia. From the cold-blooded point of view, it makes sense, somehow "It's fine" when the US bombs are being dropped by the IDF, and screwing Russia helps Ukraine and Europe too. But probably that's a myopic point of view, a lot of the world has burning hatred against Israel and the USA now.