ISIS/ISIL conflict in Syria/Iraq (No OpEd, No Politics)

plawolf said:

[...]With reports that the US is blocking attempts to get ISIS branded as a terrorist organisation by the UN (seriously what's with that?!), it is hard not to have suspicions.

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ABsolutely!!!

>>> Removed Acronym for Profanity per SD's Rules <<<

janjak desalin said:

I question why Russia seeks 'good relations with Saudi Arabia' in the first place, as Saudi oil production/pricing practices affect drastically negative impacts upon the Russian economy. If there is one country against which a decisive strategic military attack would immediately improve both Russia's economic and geopolitical positions, it's Saudi Arabia, and, specifically, its oil production/processing/export installations in the northwestern Persian Gulf coastal region.
Not advocating, just contextualizing.

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Good point.

In a way, Saudi Arabia already poked Russia in the eyes, so I don't think how Saudi Arabia might feel would factor high in Russia's decision making process. And indeed, the ability to poke Saudi Arabian interests right back may be a big plus as far as the Russians are concerned.

However, China would be in a different boat.

As far as I know, the Saudis have done nothing to annoy Beijing, China is a big oil importer, so Saudi Arabia is automatically important to China. If anything, Saudi Arabia keeping oil prices artificially low has been a big boon for China in recent years.

plawolf said:

Probably restricted to "civilian" advisors and contractors, who will operate mainly in a support function by operating drones and gathering intel rather than overt displays of power and hardware like the Russians are deploying.

I would be very surprised if the PLA gets directly and overtly involved with the fighting in Syria, but I would not be surprised if China secretly send in supplementary assets and support personnel to aid any Russian direct action.

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China has large stockpile of Russian munitions, no? With increase supply of indigenous aircrafts and munitions, China can afford to send the old Russian ones to the Russians in Syria

janjak desalin said:

I question why Russia seeks 'good relations with Saudi Arabia' in the first place, as Saudi oil production/pricing practices affect drastically negative impacts upon the Russian economy. If there is one country against which a decisive strategic military attack would immediately improve both Russia's economic and geopolitical positions, it's Saudi Arabia, and, specifically, its oil production/processing/export installations in the northwestern Persian Gulf coastal region.
Not advocating, just contextualizing.

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There are articles that Russia and Saudi are coordinating on the oil price fall, with the objective of bankrupting small American fracking producers. Both see increased American oil production as the primary threat to their oil industry.

Russians, Syrians and Iranians setting up military coordination cell in Baghdad
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Russian, Syrian and Iranian military commanders have set up a coordination cell in Baghdad in recent days to try to begin working with Iranian-backed Shia militias fighting the Islamic State, Fox News has learned.

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It would be great if Iraqis and Kurds could be brought into this coalition.

janjak desalin said:

I question why Russia seeks 'good relations with Saudi Arabia' in the first place, as Saudi oil production/pricing practices affect drastically negative impacts upon the Russian economy. If there is one country against which a decisive strategic military attack would immediately improve both Russia's economic and geopolitical positions, it's Saudi Arabia, and, specifically, its oil production/processing/export installations in the northwestern Persian Gulf coastal region.
Not advocating, just contextualizing.

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Diplomacy is very complex in the Middle East. Russia and Saudi Arabia have close contact about the oil price from which KSA is really suffering. ( It might save a lot of money halving the stipends to the princes maybe but that would be politically really difficult. )

Ambassador Bhadrakumar sees the Turkish PM Erdogan change his mind on regime change in Syria after a visit to Putin and he also remarks on the non-occurrence of shrill condemnation of the Russian move into Syria by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan. See

for September 25.

Guys, in case it comes up here.. the report coming out of Debka from Russia that the Chinese carrier has docked in Syria is completely bogus.

There is and has been no sign of it through the Suez or the Gibraltar straits...no other mention of it sailing away from the China Sea.

Just wanted to give you all a heads up. Debka is notoriously willing to make stuff up to grab headlines.