Does Sudan count as part of middle east?
Largest humanitarian crisis in the world and it seems no one cares ... and to think we indirectly fun's the
These rebels or whatever are backed by turkey primarily it seems, and seemingly have some isis ties.
The Rebels are today attacking the Kurds - an area which will undoubtedly fall. It's interesting Erodgan, who has such a solid track record of fighting for human rights, would allow this to happen under his watch.
Assad is backed by Russia and Iran.
Iran is close with turkey, and Russia have warmed to turkey despite the hiccups in their relationship (black sea headaches).
I wonder if the Russians and Iranians can afford to let syria fall?
The kurds hate the turks but hate the rebels too.
The Druze in the South are celebrating the Rebel gains.
The Sunnis in Lebanon are ecstatic too - celebrating daily, especially as this is only happening as Hezbollah (shiite) aren't able to help Assad.
Ukraine have helped the rebels with drone warfare it seems.
Where does the US stand in this?
Feels like an impossible puzzle to navigate.
If the rebels take latakia or however you spell it (that port city), russia's main syria port is in trouble... that seems on the near horizon.
EDIT - lots of stories swirling around that Assad has left the country ...
EDIT 2 - it seems he may still be in syria, and not Moscow, based on photo today with Iranian official.
EDIT 3 - rebels telling kurds they can leave with weapons so they can fight Assad forces, and they will be part of the new syria. How that works with erodgan I don't know ... basically a puzzle
The rebels are flying through SYria with their goal - as per a recent interview with CNN - to depose Assad.
If I was Assad, I'd be out yesterday - based on how the army is dealing with the rebels, he can pick life in Moscow or something, or whatever comes if he's caught.
Outside of Rebels vs Assad, a shit load of interesting subplots in the last week:
1) Syrian Rebels have demanded Iraq send no one to get involved.
2) Erodgan basically put the full support behind the Rebels to continue to Damascus.
3) Hezbollah said they won't help Syria this time.
4) Kurds have not got involved - but how are they not fucked *if* the Rebels are backed by Erodogan, who despite his stellar human rights record, is no friend of the Kurds.
5) Russian ships are leaving Syrian ports.
6) Iran has sent some generals to Syria.
Who's fucked if Assad falls?
1) pro-Iranian / Hezbollah folks in Syria - heads gone.
2) Iran - no way to get weapons through to Hezbollah through land.
3) Israel - rebels aren't going to be "nice guys" like Assad to Israel, are they?
4) Yazidi, Kurds and other minorities - although the Rebel talk has been pretty conciliatory, they are very much riddled with ISIS like Islamic tendencies ... That doesn't bode well for the aforementioned groups.
5) Turkey - Russia and Iran will just stand pat after losing influence in this key land mass?
