middle east updates (part 2)

[yesdachi]

I think the Turks are just declaring it publicly to put pressure on the US. I'd think that the most likely thing that would happen is the US allowing Turkish commando units to work alongside the US forces there and with the help of the US destroy targets.

Amidst the pot shots emerges the voice of reason.

[Pannonian]

The ruling regimes in the region would probably sit on the fence to see who comes out on top.
So you don't see the Syrians and Americans forming an alliance to defend their friendly marxist terrorists then .
Me neither .
America could of course honour its agreement with Turkey from '03 and go in against the Syrian backed PKK , but that would mean going through the Iranian backed Kurds first , that ain't gonna happen . The US cannot even control the South let alone try and take on the North as well .
So despite the bluster coming from some quarters about Americas military ability , it is in fact impotent , its political leaders clueless and its policies the mid-east/war on terror a mess .
I suppose it is the result of having a bunch of muppets with a "can-do" mentality in office .
I bet that nut in Tehran is laughing his tits off over this development .

The Iranian operation over Iraq must be one of the most cost-effective in history. Not only is their historical enemy overthrown and their own proxies installed in his place, but nearly all the setup and running costs were paid by their other main enemy, who believed the Iranian agent was one of their own. Even if you hate the man and his politics, you have to admire the skill of Chalabi and his handlers.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Amidst the pot shots emerges the voice of reason.

Concur.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

The ruling regimes in the region would probably sit on the fence to see who comes out on top.
So you don't see the Syrians and Americans forming an alliance to defend their friendly marxist terrorists then .
Me neither .
America could of course honour its agreement with Turkey from '03 and go in against the Syrian backed PKK , but that would mean going through the Iranian backed Kurds first , that ain't gonna happen . The US cannot even control the South let alone try and take on the North as well .
So despite the bluster coming from some quarters about Americas military ability , it is in fact impotent , its political leaders clueless and its policies the mid-east/war on terror a mess .
I suppose it is the result of having a bunch of muppets with a "can-do" mentality in office .
I bet that nut in Tehran is laughing his tits off over this development .

I hatw when this happens.

I agree with you almost completely.

That said I see no reason to rip Panzer apart. Even if he is Teran's man in Bagdahad he's still surrounded by GI's. Any signifficant movement of conventional forces, such as armour, by Turkey into Iraq could be ruthlessly crushed by the Americans. I'm certain the Americans have concentrated tank companies dotted around and they have terrific air power which can be swiftly brought to bear. In this scenario the question is whether the Turkish have the hardware to hit the Americans, I don't believe they do.

Regardless in order for the situation to arrise both the Turks and the Americans would have to stupid and crazy.

[Pannonian]

I hatw when this happens.

I agree with you almost completely.

That said I see no reason to rip Panzer apart. Even if he is Teran's man in Bagdahad he's still surrounded by GI's. Any signifficant movement of conventional forces, such as armour, by Turkey into Iraq could be ruthlessly crushed by the Americans. I'm certain the Americans have concentrated tank companies dotted around and they have terrific air power which can be swiftly brought to bear. In this scenario the question is whether the Turkish have the hardware to hit the Americans, I don't believe they do.

I wonder what Congress or the Senate would make of ruthlessly crushing one of their NATO allies, one that has sent troops to their aid in the near past.

[Redleg]

I wonder what Congress or the Senate would make of ruthlessly crushing one of their NATO allies, one that has sent troops to their aid in the near past.

Congress has allowed its responsiblity and authority to be usurped by the Presidential Branch with the Authorization for the Use of Force in the War on Terror, and the War Powers Act of 1973. Blanket authorizations such these leaves open the window for abuse. Now the Presidential Branch can be called to task on its use of force - but the acts in themselves allows just such a scenerio to occur without Congress even given a say until after the fact.

[Avicenna]

Soly, in addition to that list, aren't there also some form of insurgents in Pakistan? The Baluch who want to form Baluchistan.

[Tribesman]

Don't complicate things further Tiberius , its confusing enough as it is
Do you mean the little problem with seperatists wanting a fairer cut of their regions oil revenue and having an ever so insignificant civil war where the govenment forces control practically nothing outside of their heavily fortified bases and are relying on some rather nasty Islamic militants to do their work for them (sounds a bit like Iraq doesn't it) .
If you are going to bring Baluchi problems into it we might as well add Wazeristan to the mix for the fun of it , though I don't know if the Iranians are involved in that second one .

[Vladimir]

Congress has allowed its responsiblity and authority to be usurped by the Presidential Branch with the Authorization for the Use of Force in the War on Terror, and the War Powers Act of 1973. Blanket authorizations such these leaves open the window for abuse. Now the Presidential Branch can be called to task on its use of force - but the acts in themselves allows just such a scenerio to occur without Congress even given a say until after the fact.

Congress controls the money, hence they are more powerful than the Executive. Remember when they blackmailed Bush 41 before the first Gulf War?

[Redleg]

Congress controls the money, hence they are more powerful than the Executive. Remember when they blackmailed Bush 41 before the first Gulf War?

This is an assumption that has lead congress to allow other branches to usurp its authority and responsiblities.

[Redleg]

double post

[Vladimir]

This is an assumption that has lead congress to allow other branches to usurp its authority and responsiblities.

I'm sorry but your statement is incorrect. Congress, the House of Representatives specifically, controls the budget. The President proposes a budget, submits it to congress, they make whatever changes they want, pass it, and the President signs it. If the Chief Executive decides to veto it, it can always be overturned by a supermajority. Unfunded policy is just rhetoric.

And how has the Judicial Branch usurped the power of congress? Congress tells them what they can and can't rule on. The issue with the recent Gitmo case is that they weren't specific enough in their wording. They may have given themselves unwritten powers like judicial review but even that can be controlled if the two other branches work in tandem.

[Redleg]

I'm sorry but your statement is incorrect. Congress, the House of Representatives specifically, controls the budget. The President proposes a budget, submits it to congress, they make whatever changes they want, pass it, and the President signs it. If the Chief Executive decides to veto it, it can always be overturned by a supermajority. Unfunded policy is just rhetoric.

It requires a two-thirds majority to override the President. Under a two party system where the President's party also controls the congress the possiblity of over-riding a veto is small.

When the Congress passed the War Powers Act of 1973 it in essence gave the Executive Branch the ability to declare war for a limited period of time.

The blanket Authorization of Force signed in 2002 also did the same thing. Congress has no choice but to fund both measures during the initial phase.

And the budget - well there is plently of evidence that the Congress is not fulfilling its obligations there either.

And how has the Judicial Branch usurped the power of congress? Congress tells them what they can and can't rule on. The issue with the recent Gitmo case is that they weren't specific enough in their wording. They may have given themselves unwritten powers like judicial review but even that can be controlled if the two other branches work in tandem.

Again look at Roe versus Wade. There are several judicial rulings that overstep the judicial branch and Congress has never called them on it. Neither has Congress always gone back and legislate new law when the Judicial Branch null and voids a poorly written law.

[LeftEyeNine]

Latest info from my commando friend:

An army of 100-150.000 is prepared for deployment. There are around 5.000 terrorists to be hunted and he finds it quite unfortunate that the news were headlined. Now that those scumbags will plant mines, set traps and detonators everywhere. He says that casulaties may be significant. As I said before, Mt. Kandil is the biggest of the targets. All info that you can imagine about terrorist camps are well prepared and gathered for a long time but it was all USA's permission that held things off. He says "army is looking face to face to those terrorists, but we are not allowed to do anything yet".

Also he confirmed that there were Turkish Armed Forces deployments already in Iraq for a long time.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Latest info from my commando friend:

Isn't your commando friend concerned about court-martial? I can't imagine the Turkish army is any more sanguine about having sensitive military information bandied about than any other NATO member - and in my day, there would have been some very serious repercussions to him 'sharing' such info.

[yesdachi]

Latest info from my commando friend:

An army of 100-150.000 is prepared for deployment. There are around 5.000 terrorists to be hunted and he finds it quite unfortunate that the news were headlined. Now that those scumbags will plant mines, set traps and detonators everywhere. He says that casulaties may be significant. As I said before, Mt. Kandil is the biggest of the targets. All info that you can imagine about terrorist camps are well prepared and gathered for a long time but it was all USA's permission that held things off. He says "army is looking face to face to those terrorists, but we are not allowed to do anything yet".

Also he confirmed that there were Turkish Armed Forces deployments already in Iraq for a long time.

Hey LEN, perhaps I am just not that observant but this is the first time I noticed your Assistant Moderator title. Congrats.

Neat info BTW, thanks for sharing.

[LeftEyeNine]

Isn't your commando friend concerned about court-martial? I can't imagine the Turkish army is any more sanguine about having sensitive military information bandied about than any other NATO member - and in my day, there would have been some very serious repercussions to him 'sharing' such info.

The info is already public, B'sQ. The numbers are I gave and those gone public are quite close. However I found no inconvenience with learning and sharing that info. After all, he didn't gave out any battle plans or anything else vital. Only numbers of two sides, and the operation area which was predicted already.

Hey LEN, perhaps I am just not that observant but this is the first time I noticed your Assistant Moderator title. Congrats.

Neat info BTW, thanks for sharing.

Thank you.

[Banquo's Ghost]

The info is already public, B'sQ. The numbers are I gave and those gone public are quite close. However I found no inconvenience with learning and sharing that info. After all, he didn't gave out any battle plans or anything else vital. Only numbers of two sides, and the operation area which was predicted already.

Ah, OK. It just seemed as if you were quoting insider information.