Will Iran start a general war in the Middle East?

Strategy Page reports that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which is being hammered by Israel in Syria, is now threatening to unleash terrorist movements Hamas and Hezbollah against Israel. Iranian allies Hezbollah and Hamas are both threatening “war with Israel.” Such threats are not made without Iranian permission. That has long been the main Israeli fear, that… Continue reading Will Iran start a general war in the Middle East?

Wars and conflicts around the world

Strategy Page has published its latest update on wars, conflicts and disturbances currently in progress around the world, some very hot, others less so.  It includes the following: Afghanistan Algeria Balkans Central Asia Chad China Colombia Congo Ethiopia India-Pakistan Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Korea Kurdish War Libya Mali Mexico Myanmar Nigeria Philippines Russia Rwanda/Burundi Somalia… Continue reading Wars and conflicts around the world

Was the Syria withdrawal a brilliant move by President Trump?

With the news that Saudi Arabian troops will augment – and probably replace in due course – the US forces currently operating alongside the Kurds in Syria, the Conservative Treehouse thinks the whole withdrawal proposal is a gigantic win for the President. Now let’s consider the brilliance of this move. First, remember Turkish President Recep… Continue reading Was the Syria withdrawal a brilliant move by President Trump?

Syria: why is the USA still there at all?

I’ve noted President Trump’s decision to withdraw US forces from Syria, and the outcry that’s followed.  You’d think this country was abandoning poor, innocent people to the mercies of Nazi concentration camps or Soviet gulags, to read and listen to all the fuss.  It’s nowhere near that simple.  Consider these points. In the first place,… Continue reading Syria: why is the USA still there at all?

Not a bad likeness

Stemming from the gilets jaunes protests in France, someone drew this portrait of President Trump.  I received it via e-mail, so I don’t know who the artist is.  French, perhaps?  Click the image for a larger view. Yellow?  Well, sacred blue and all that sort of thing! Peter

The Philippines’ conundrum over China – and the USA’s, too

Bullying tactics often work if the one being bullied doesn’t have the muscle, strength or willpower to stand up to the bully.  That pretty much sums up what seems to be happening between China and the Philippines right now. Strategy Page reports: President Duterte is trying to be realistic in his policy towards China but… Continue reading The Philippines’ conundrum over China – and the USA’s, too

Is Colombia’s civil war moving to Venezuela?

There’s an excellent in-depth article on the current situation in Venezuela over at Strategy Page.  You should read the whole thing – it contains far more information than you’ll get from the mainstream media.  Among the nuggets in the article was the fact that Colombian leftist rebels are moving their operations to Venezuela, because it’s… Continue reading Is Colombia’s civil war moving to Venezuela?

A new potential war trigger in the Middle East?

I haven’t seen this reported anywhere else, but Strategy Page claims: Syria is apparently granting citizenship (and Syrian passports) to thousands of Iranian mercenaries like Hezbollah from Lebanon, some Iranians and Shia from other countries Iran recruited to fight in Syria. These newly created Syrians will be wearing Syrian Army uniforms as they take up… Continue reading A new potential war trigger in the Middle East?

SNAFU is right: we’re not winning, and we can’t win by doing it the same old way yet again

Solomon, a former Marine writing at his SNAFU blog, posits that the current counter-insurgency strategy, tactics and training of the US armed forces is fatally flawed. This is about our wars in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, the Philippines and other places I don’t know about. It ain’t working. We’re wasting lives and money.  Don’t get… Continue reading SNAFU is right: we’re not winning, and we can’t win by doing it the same old way yet again