Interesting. The IAF also bombed (I’ve posted it above somewhere) a building that housed records and documents (mislabeled as Iranian missile research facility, I think).
Anyway, the security pact between Russia (in Syria) and Netanyahu has been well known and much discussed over the years. It was always a bit unclear as to how much say the Syrian regime had in it though. But the likes of Mamluk must have of course known most, and enemy spies talk to each other off the record.
Since it’s an election campaign here, it’s being used to be disgustingly populist instead of being happy for the Syrians. Spahn (CDU) directly announced that they should give them €1,000 in starting capital and provide charter flights back immediately, others point out that we have 6,000 Syrian doctors here, and it would be completely stupid to send them away, etc. So, all in all, a “lively discussion” here. It’s a bit like when Kohl wanted to send the Turks back. Some will leave, others will stay, especially the younger ones who are now firmly integrated and rooted here.
Racist scum gonna be racist scum I guess…
I hope he publically humiliates Sergey Naryshkin, once again. That is my kind of theatre to watch.
The many terrible reports, pictures and videos from these prisons make me sick. Really hard to watch it all. That’s why I was looking for something positive…
https://x.com/Mylovanov/status/1866511637689291193
I really hope it goes well for them. Too soon to tell though.
I just hope that things won’t develop for women like they did in Afghanistan but maybe it’s already on the way there.
https://x.com/indigochild585/status/1866250620769869925
https://x.com/Karam__Shaar/status/1866195574497648736
https://x.com/Osint613/status/1866779126368964946
https://x.com/QUSAY_NOOR_/status/1866849448699089205
https://x.com/SilviodoQuental/status/1866867149119087033
Wow, that put’s the “ministry of drug control” on a completely different level.
The rehabilitation of Assad by the Arab League was largely predicated on a promise to stop the flow of drugs into neighbouring countries.
And to be totally honest, who can blame them?
I bet they genuinely want to be able to return to their homes in Syria, but knowing what the Middle East is like at the moment, I would not be rushing back straight away
I mean, quite a few of them seem like they view themselves as German now so, it’s unsurprising.
Identity is complex, really.
I doubt many of the Syrians are booking their tickets now, but for the adults at least I also doubt they feel like this is really home. The immediate difference is now they can start asking the questions and thinking about planning, rather than imagining another world.
What negative consequences? Israel, or Netanyahu in particular, probably feels that they are entering the golden era. Hamas has been crushed, Hezbollah has been subdued, Saudi is waiting in the wings, annexation of West Bank is in process. How can they think that they are wrong?
Your opinion is shared by many, particularly those who primarily focus on realpolitik alone, and I will not claim that it is objectively wrong at all. It may end up being correct, but it carries a very high risk. Legitimacy through Hard Power alone, can be quite precarious if you must rely on others for that very Hard Power. Israel is geographically a very small state (despite enlargement etc.) and it relies on foreign trade almost completely.
And there has been a crystal clear negative trend for Israel under Netanyahu’s long governance (after Oslo) in terms of international standing and how it is viewed abroad. Irrelevant you may say, I am not so sure…
Meanwhile, the butchering in Gaza continues, along with starving the population:
HTS is in talks with Russia regarding the Russian bases. It looks like Russia is trying their best to persuade them and I fear they will succeed. Russia will be able to funnel into new Syria a lot of needed direct cash for the bases. And money talks, much more than blood and history.
Russia has already changed their language from ISIS to Legitimate Syrian opposition. The tankies on the net will have a conondrum, but one they easily solve by being their ususal self (close own eyes and say “hail Putin 12 times” and then forget all about the previous propaganda and just roll with it). It’s the overriding philosophy of tankies all across the world, after all.
Also, last night saw the largest Ukrainian missile (ATACAMS, Neptune and drones etc.) and drone strikes inside Russia, ever. Including blowing up Akhmat’s base in Grozny, Chechnya. But I can’t post about it, because silly spam filter. Hint-hint.
Israel sort of walked them to the door on that decision. Israel spurned any possibility except hostility, which will mean the same from the US. They are already in potential friction with Turkey, so need some sort of countervailing power relationship. Russia shifting their support to HTS, albeit in a reduced form, achieves that.
True, but I think this could have potentially happened without Israeli interferance. But it is easier to excuse for the new Syrian government now, of course. So yes, Israel definately helped.
I agree, HTS will try to play Great Powers wisely against each other and use maximum leverage. Friendly with Turkey, but Russia as counter balance is an old game, so why not. Might also draw in the West to further counter balance it and of course Arab states (which they will anyway).
Right now, if I were Bashar al Assad, sitting in my villa somewhere outside Moscow (he funneled billions there so is super rich) , I would worry. Not just for RU giving me up, but for RU assassinating me in an under the table deal with the new Syrian regime (type: we off him for you, but not officially, since we gave him amnesty).
Definitely could have happened without, but Israel has already backed a week-old regime into a corner. Given Russia’s priorities, probably doomed it to a pathway that will see further sectarian strife in a few years.