Mako11 | 22 Aug 2016 9:39 p.m. PST |
Wow, that was fast. Iran's pulled up the welcome mat for the Russian Air Force, and evicted them from the country. Russia probably should have looked at the fine print of their deal. It will be interesting to see how this affects future weapons deals and deliveries to the temperamental nation. link |
cwlinsj | 22 Aug 2016 10:28 p.m. PST |
Supposedly, the Iranians were embarrassed that the Russians broadcasted this to the world while the Iranian constitution prohibits foreign bases on their soil, and they don't want to look weak to the moslem world as being colonized. …or, this is just smoke and the Russians are still there. |
VVV reply | 23 Aug 2016 5:15 a.m. PST |
Yep its against Irans constitution to have foreign troops stationed on their soil. I cannot think of an alternative base for Russia, unless they want to share Incirlik? |
Winston Smith | 23 Aug 2016 7:20 a.m. PST |
They're still godless atheistic Commies, apparently. |
Legion 4 | 23 Aug 2016 8:04 a.m. PST |
Apparently … and that probably does not go over very well in an islamic theocracy. I mean based on what is going on, etc., … I'd imagine, many islamists would consider the Godless Russkies – infidels … yes ? So there is that … But that is true … it may affect any "deals" the Russians have or will have with the Persians ? We'll have to wait and see … However, as cw pointed out, it may be propaganda, etc., for the more "strict" islamists of Iran. Can we really take anything either "party" says as true or a fact ? |
Winston Smith | 23 Aug 2016 10:28 a.m. PST |
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." That is a pragmatic approach that a worldly wise leader may take. But a strict ideologue (political or religious) may despise such thinking. The enemy of my enemy may still be MY enemy. Allegedly the mullahs are prepping for the End Times and such pragmatism might not be how the pure prepare for End Times. And the Russians bragging about the diplomatic coup probably did not help much. |
Mako11 | 23 Aug 2016 11:10 a.m. PST |
Well, we have seen that they are "weak", since otherwise they'd be using their own air force jets to support their allies/servants, the Iraqis. Where is the Iranian Air Force? Clearly, a force in "being", like the German Kriegsmarine, rather than an effective fighting force. Perhaps they're worried some of their pilots might go rogue, and try to take them out, like they did with Erdogan. Wouldn't be the first time their pilots were accused of being disloyal, and purged. |
VVV reply | 23 Aug 2016 1:06 p.m. PST |
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." That is a pragmatic approach that a worldly wise leader may take. But does not have to be true. link I think the reason Iranian involvement in Syria is kept quiet, is that there would be major problems for Iran if its involvement was overt. Iranian air force bombs Syrian rebels, Saudi air force supports the rebels? |
cwlinsj | 23 Aug 2016 1:20 p.m. PST |
I think the reason Iranian involvement in Syria is kept quiet, is that there would be major problems for Iran if its involvement was overt. It is no secret that Iran is heavily involved in supporting Assad's Syria. They are there at Assad's invitation afterall. In addition to funding the Hezbollah brigades fighting in Syria, the IRG has lost over 1,100 in combat inside Syria (although most are probably mercenaries). The reason why the Iranian air force is not directly involved is that there is little left. Composed of mostly Shah-era American planes, 37 years of attrition has left little available for offensive operations. |
Legion 4 | 23 Aug 2016 1:36 p.m. PST |
It is well known. The Iranians are supporting Assad, and Hezbollah plus have units of the IRGC in Syria. You can't hide that fact. Even if at one time they may have wanted to. Maybe along with the US-Iran nuc deal. The US will sell them parts and maybe even upgrades for the aging IAF ? The US already has gone too far, IMO. Old rebuilt US aircraft are less a threat than nucs … yes ? |
VVV reply | 23 Aug 2016 2:31 p.m. PST |
Well busing in the Iranian revolutionary guard to Syria would certainly win it for Assad, no problem. The reason it is not done is it would shout to the world, Iranian involvement. Ask your friends and family how many know that Iran is supplying Assad with troops, I would bet not many. And again with the Iranian air force, too obvious. Russians can do it but even they hide their actions by saying that they are attacking ISIL. |
Legion 4 | 23 Aug 2016 2:32 p.m. PST |
I'm pretty sure there are elements of the IRGC already in Syria. |
Mako11 | 23 Aug 2016 6:18 p.m. PST |
They already know about that, VVV, or at least they should, same as in Yemen, where they and/or their proxies are firing ballistic missile into Saudi Arabia on a regular basis. Rumor has it, according to the news last night, there are 100,000 Iranians fighting in Iraq right now, if the story is accurate. Apparently, there's concern they may target US Special Forces troops aiding the Iraqis there as well, since Al Sadr, who should have been eliminated long ago, is saying they are targets. I really wonder why we're aiding our enemies over there, and providing CAS, training, equipment, etc.? Seems like time to re-evaluate our priorities, given the heavy Iranian involvement/control of Iraq, now. Yes, IRGC have been in Syria for some time, and they've lost at least a couple senior leaders, IIRC, assuming that wasn't misinformation fed to us. |
cwlinsj | 23 Aug 2016 6:38 p.m. PST |
VVV, It is well known that Iranians are actively involved in propping-up the Syrian govt. Like I said, they are there at Assad's invitation -which is completely legitimate politically. Whether or not I think Assad is a dictator or fit to rule, it has nothing to do with the political right the Assads have to ally themselves with whoever they want to.. BTW, the IRG have always been in Syria. They've been fighting there for so long that the grunts are refusing service. In addition to enlisted and junior officers killed, Iran has lost two brigadier generals and one major general in Syria from fighting. You needto do some googling. It's in mainstream news. |
VVV reply | 24 Aug 2016 8:13 a.m. PST |
It is well known that Iranians are actively involved in propping-up the Syrian govt. As I said, I bet you, not by Joe Public. Assad of course can do what he likes, just like any of the other warring factions in Syria. But I see nothing that has ever made his family the legitimate government of Syria. The Enlightenment-era British social philosopher John Locke (1632–1704) said that political legitimacy derives from popular explicit and implicit consent of the governed: "The argument of the [Second] Treatise is that the government is not legitimate unless it is carried on with the consent of the governed. BTW there seems no shortage of Iranians wanting to fight in Syria. As far as they are concerned they are fighting a holy war against the Sunni (Assad having being classified as a Shia). I direct you to this article link |
Legion 4 | 24 Aug 2016 9:00 a.m. PST |
Also the IRGC is in Iraq too. With Iraq being 60% Shia and Iran @ 90+% the same. As soon as the US left the Iraqis to there own devises. With Iran's Shia support, they went back to old habits. It is very much in Iran favor to have a Shia Iraq on the their border. And like any former empire looking revisit it's past glories (Russia ?). Has Assad being supported Iran. I's all part of an expansionist agenda. As I said, I bet you, not by Joe Public. As I have posted before the average American couldn't find Iran, Iraq, Syria, etc., on the map, etc., … However … the leadership, and other functions in the government are well aware of the IRGC's deployments and actions. And in the USA it has been reported a number of times in the news/media. The average "Joe" really does not need to know all the details, and in reality could care less … |
cwlinsj | 24 Aug 2016 9:30 a.m. PST |
The average Joe doesn't know who the Vice President is. We don't hold ourselves to that low standard. We come here to discuss modern warfare and related events with those who share this interest. |
Legion 4 | 24 Aug 2016 9:54 a.m. PST |
You have that right ! Every time I see "the man on the street" interviews by the media. I'm absolutely terrified to see how little the US populous at large knows ! About anything ! Good thing that only about 25-30% vote … |
Bellbottom | 24 Aug 2016 4:16 p.m. PST |
Unfortunately Legion 4 the UK is going the same way! |
Legion 4 | 25 Aug 2016 7:46 a.m. PST |
I think we may see this as an ongoing tread. Some see that their vote maybe does not really count … sadly … Some nations fine you if you don't vote. I hope we don't have to go that way. |