Russia Begins Operations in Syria: End Game for the US Empire?

[Laura]

There really doesn't seem to be any way to overcome or break through that information monopoly. Every day I post articles on FB and twitter and I know others do as well. I'd sure like to think that a few hundreds of thousands of people do this every day. But even with that, the reach is limited. For the authoritarian follower, it doesn't matter: the "constituted authorities" are all that matter to them and they are about 40% of the population.

So, I guess the outcome is that things will get worse until the global suffering increases to an unbearable level and then that will attract the balancing mechanisms - comets, ice age, earthquakes, whatever. And clearly, this process is already underway, it just takes time.

And I guess if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing based on reading the signs, within whatever limit of freedom is granted to us, we may come out alright in the end.

 

[Ca.]

I think Russia may have thought that this recent US "accident" would get enough coverage to justify some retaliation, which I'm sure they are itching to deliver, but the Western MSM is SO controlled, it was hardly a blip on the radar.

So that is the thing they need to overcome: this media control in the West, in order to be on the high ground in the eyes of people all over the world when they DO act.

For the life of me I can't think how they can do that. Mindless peeps just watch CNN, Fox BBC, etc, while corrupt pathocrats echo the party line over and over again. It's furiously frustrating to watch.

Wasn't it Protocol 17 that described this kind of control over the media?

Meeting with Government members
Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Government members at the Kremlin.
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52913
3 hours

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon

Before we start our work today, I would like to say a few words about the results of the State Duma election, which took place yesterday, September 18. First of all, I want to thank our citizens who came to the polling stations, expressed their view on the developments in our country, and showed a responsible approach to affairs by coming to vote in the election.

United Russia, the ruling party and Russia’s leading political force, obtained a good result. Of course, we can ask ourselves, how is this possible given the big economic and social sector difficulties we have been facing and the drop in people’s real incomes? I think there are several factors here that merit our attention.

First, at a time of difficulties and many uncertainties and risks, people certainly choose stability and trust the country’s leading political force and the Government, which relies on United Russia’s support in the parliament. They are confident that we will act professionally in the interests of our country’s people.

Remember this photo. I think h'e see through there intetions and is locked and loaded for any games that the wild neocon west may attempt to-play.

A subtle message to the Neocons

 

[Aeneas]

I think Russia may have thought that this recent US "accident" would get enough coverage to justify some retaliation, which I'm sure they are itching to deliver, but the Western MSM is SO controlled, it was hardly a blip on the radar.

So that is the thing they need to overcome: this media control in the West, in order to be on the high ground in the eyes of people all over the world when they DO act.

For the life of me I can't think how they can do that. Mindless peeps just watch CNN, Fox BBC, etc, while corrupt pathocrats echo the party line over and over again. It's furiously frustrating to watch.

Wasn't it Protocol 17 that described this kind of control over the media?

It was Protocol 12, titled Control of the Press:

ONLY LIES PRINTED

15. Methods of organization like these, imperceptible to the public eye but absolutely sure, are the best calculated to succeed in bringing the attention and the confidence of the public to the side of our government. Thanks to such methods we shall be in a position as from time to time may be required, to excite or to tranquilize the public mind on political questions, to persuade or to confuse, printing now truth, now lies, facts or their contradictions, according as they may be well or ill received, always very cautiously feeling our ground before stepping upon it .... WE SHALL HAVE A SURE TRIUMPH OVER OUR OPPONENTS SINCE THEY WILL NOT HAVE AT THEIR DISPOSITION ORGANS OF THE PRESS IN WHICH THEY CAN GIVE FULL AND FINAL EXPRESSION TO THEIR VIEWS owing to the aforesaid methods of dealing with the press. We shall not even need to refute them except very superficially.

I think that part (15) in particular says it all. This obfuscation of the truth is part of the process of, Transmarginal Inhibition, that makes people into embeciles believing even the most unbelievable things. https://www.sott.net/article/136090-Transmarginal-Inhibition

Pavlov demonstrated that when Transmarginal Inhibition began to take over a dog, a condition similar to hysteria in a human manifested. The applications of these findings to human psychology suggest that for a "conversion" to be effective, it is necessary to work on the subject's emotions until s/he reaches an abnormal condition of fear, anger or exaltation. If such a state is maintained or intensified by any of various means, hysteria is the result. In a state of hysteria, a human being is abnormally suggestible and influences in the environment can cause one set of behavior patterns to be replaced by another without any need for persuasive indoctrination. In states of fear and excitement, normally sensible human beings will accept the most wildly improbably suggestions.

After the 9/11 attacks we had all the "Obama is under the bed" routine with the possible terror attack index going from orange to red to orange etc. like a jojo. Now we have small things like in explosions in New Jersey and it triggers the needed response, which before required greater stimuli for that effect, thus causing people to believe the lies that are peddled. Sad really!

 

[angelburst29]

Vladimir Putin's spokesman has noted that "the only party that keeps on observing the ceasefire is the Syrian army"

Kremlin: US-led coalition’s erroneous air strike complicated situation in Syria
http://tass.com/politics/900736

The situation around ceasefire in Syria leaves much to be desired, Russian president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, adding that settlement efforts are continued anyway.

"So far, the situation leaves much to be desired," he said. "Actually, the only party that keeps on observing the ceasefire is the Syrian army."

Apart from that, in his words, the situation is complicated by such tragedies as the recent US-led coalition’s erroneous air strike on the Syrian military.

The Kremlin spokesman noted he could not say whether the truce is Syria would be lasting.

"All this endangers the regime of cessation of hostilities," he said. "Nevertheless, efforts are continued."

According to the Kremlin spokesman, "so far there are no plans on holding telephone conversations" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his United States counterpart, Barack Obama.

On Saturday, the US-led coalition targeted the Syrian Army battling Daesh in Deir-ez-Zor.

Assad: US Coalition's Airstrikes on Syrian Army is Aggression Serving Daesh
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160919/1045467437/assad-us-airstrike-terrorism.html

"Increased state support for terrorists hostile to Syria has recently presented itself in the form of naked American aggression against one of the Syrian army positions in Deir ez-Zor in favor of the interests of the [Daesh jihadist group]," Assad said, as quoted by the Syrian presidency’s Twitter account, hosting a senior Iranian diplomat.

He added that "countries hostile to Syria increase their support for terrorism as Syria succeeds in liberating territories and signing ceasefire agreements."

President Bashar al-Assad on Monday received Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari and the accompanying delegation.

-President al-Assad: Sides hostile to Syria depleting all their energies and resources to maintain terrorist war on Syria
http://sana.sy/en/?p=88473

Talks during the meeting touched on the strategic and distinguished relations between the two countries, as well as developments in Syria and their regional and international ramifications.

President al-Assad pointed out that the sides that are hostile to Syria are depleting all their energies and resources to maintain the terrorist war on Syria, noting that whenever the Syrian state achieves tangible progress either on the ground or in national reconciliations, the state that are hostile to Syria increase their support for terrorist organizations, and the most recent example of this is the flagrant US aggression on a Syrian Arab Army position in Deir Ezzor for the benefit of ISIS.

President al-Assad underlined the importance of the support provided by Iran, Russia, and other friendly countries in bolstering the steadfastness of the Syrian people in the face of the terrorist war that targets them.

For his part, Jaberi Ansari affirmed that Iran is determined to continue providing all possible support to Syria in its war on terrorism, noting that Syrian-Iranian relations aren’t just based on mutual interests, as they are also based on a mutual vision and a wise political understanding of the threats to the region’s people, chief among those threats being terrorism and extremism.

The meeting was attended by Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad, the director of the Asia Department at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry, and the Iranian Ambassador in Damascus.

General Samir Suleiman, the head of the Syrian Arab Army information department, said the US-led coalition airstrike on government positions in Deir Ezzur city on Saturday night was the result of premeditated planning.

Commander: Attack against Syrian Army in Deir Ezzur Premeditated by US
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950629000675

"The US fighter jets' attacks against the Syrian army positions in Deir Ezzur were premeditated and they had launched precise reconnaissance operations against the Syrian army positions a few days before," General Suleiman said on Monday.

"This shows that the US was seeking to provide the ground for the ISIL to advance towards the Syrian army bases," he added.

General Suleiman added that 4 US fighter jets, informed of the ISIL terrorists' deployment near the Syrian army positions, entered Syria via Iraq but neither the US fighter jets nor the terrorists opened fire, "and this is one of the things that proves coordination between the ISIL and the US fighter jets".

[...] The Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that the aircraft which carried out the bombings had entered Syrian airspace from the territory of Iraq. Four strikes against Syrian positions were performed by two F-16 jet fighters and two A-10 support aircraft, it added.

Even if the bombardment of the Syrian government troops was a mistake, it’s still a consequence of Washington’s unwillingness to coordinate its anti-terror efforts with Moscow, the ministry said.

The Defense Ministry also confirmed a report by SANA that an ISIL offensive began right after Syrian Army positions were hit from the air.

The actions of the coalition “clearly paved the way for ISIL terrorists to attack the position and take control of it,” the agency said citing the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces.

The General Command called the bombing a “serious and blatant aggression” against Syrian forces, and said it was "conclusive evidence" that the US and its allies support ISIL terrorist group.

Aleppo Governor Hossein Diyab announced that those terrorists who lay down their arms and surrender themselves to the Damascus government authorities will be treated with fairness.

Aleppo Governor: Damascus Gov't Vows Fair Treatment of Terrorists Laying Down Arms
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950629000694

"Anyone who surrenders himself and his weapons will surely return to normal life under the general amnesty order issued President Bashar Assad," Diyab said on Monday.

The Aleppo governor urged the terrorists to surrender themselves, saying this would be their best decision to make to put an end to all problems of people in Aleppo and enter a new phase which is based on reconstruction of Syria and bringing it back to the best conditions.

He warned that if the terrorists prevent the residents of Aleppo from leaving the city they will revolt against the militants.

On Sunday, media reports said that the Syrian government forces transferred a large number of the Syrian families to a safe place in Aleppo city.

Tens of families were transferred from the Eastern districts of Aleppo city to safer residential places equipped with all the needed accommodations and facilities in the city's Salahuddin district, the Arabic-language media reported.

The measure has been adopted by the Syrian government in a bid to prevent the terrorists' use and strikes on the civilian population.

The transfer of the Aleppo citizens to safe places came as the terrorist groups targeted Hamdania neighborhoods of Aleppo with rockets fire on Sunday, causing damage to civilians' houses and wounding a number of people.

The September 9 ceasefire plan in Syria is being observed by only government troops whereas the terrorist groups, including the Jeish al-Fatah coalition, are using it to get prepared for large-scale combat operations in Aleppo, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

Jeish Al-Fatah Preparing for Large-Scale Operation against Syrian Army in Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950629000841

Militants are using the ceasefire to lick wounds, recuperate and prepare for resumption of combat operations," the spokesman said.

He further added that our reconnaissance channels spotted movements of militants and concentration of armored vehicles and cars both in Aleppo’s Eastern part and its countryside.

"Such facts only prove our apprehension of regrouping of terrorist groups and their preparing for large-scale combat operations," he said, adding that civilians leaving Aleppo’s Eastern neighborhoods confirm these reports.

The Israeli army doesn’t dare to admit the shooting down of its military aircraft in Southern Syria as it is afraid of losing more face after its 2006 defeat from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance group, a Syrian air force source said on Monday.

Source: Israel Never Dares to Admit Downing of Aircraft by Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950629000459

"The Zionists don’t dare to acknowledge the downing of their aircraft before the Israeli public opinion since it will foil their attempts to restore their lost credibility and face after the 2006 war (against Lebanon)," the source told FNA.

The source described Israel's rejection of reports on the shooting down of its two aircraft by the Syrian army as "ridiculous", and said, "Unfortunately, these planes crashed in the Israeli-occupied regions and even if they crashed near the occupied territories, the terrorist groups supported by Israel are stationed there (and finding them by the Syrian army is not possible)."

The General Staff of the Syrian Armed Forces announced last Tuesday that the county's air-defense units deployed in the Southwest of the country have shot down two Israeli aircraft in Quneitra province.

"An Israeli aircraft, which had violated the airspace of the Southwestern parts of Quneitra province, was traced and shot down by the anti-aircraft missiles of the Syrian Army in the early hours of this morning," the country's General Staff said in statement.

"Meanwhile, an Israeli spy drone was also targeted by the Syrian army fire on the Western side of Sa'asa' near the Golan Heights," the statement added.

The Israeli military aircraft had violated Syrian territories to back the terrorist groups' offensives on the government forces' positions near Golan Heights in Quneitra.

A prominent Syrian military analyst underlined that the shooting down of two Israeli aircraft in Southwestern Syria bore the message that Israeli aggression will not remain unanswered.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Russian Defense Ministry says US, Syrian opposition fail to fulfill Geneva deal

http://tass.com/politics/900792?_ga=1.53780331.231830454.1474178806

The Russian Defense Ministry believes unilateral observance of ceasefire by Syrian government forces is senseless

The US and the Syrian opposition groups backed by Washington have not met any commitments under the Geneva deal on Syria, senior Russian military official Sergey Rudskoy told reporters on Monday.

"The United States and the groups of the so-called healthy opposition controlled by it have not met any of the commitments undertaken as part of the Geneva agreements. No separation of the moderate opposition and Jabhat al-Nusra has taken place," said Rudskoy, who heads the main operations department of Russia’s General Staff.

"Moreover, we see not separation but the merge of units of moderate opposition and Jabhat al-Nusra and their preparation for joint offensive," Rudskoy said.

Alexander Zorin, a Russian defense ministry’s envoy to the Geneva-based task forces on ceasefire and humanitarian issues, said since September 12 Russia’s experts have handed over to US counterparts 16 requests for providing info.

"We have to state a very low activity of the American colleagues on responding to our well-founded concerns," he said.

He reminded that the main condition of the ceasefire was separating the moderate opposition from the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group, which is outlawed in Russia. "Unfortunately, the American colleagues have not made any real steps in this direction so far," Zorin said.

During the meetings in Geneva on Sunday and Monday, the US experts tried to convince Russia that the task of separating terrorists from the opposition was very challenging and they were working hard on solving it. "Still, no practical results of this activity have been provided so far," he added.

Unilateral ceasefire observance is senseless

Rudskoy went on to say that the Russian Defense Ministry believes unilateral observance of ceasefire by Syrian government forces is senseless amidst ongoing shelling by militants.

"Taking into account the fact that militants are not observing the regime of cessation of hostilities, we believe its unilateral observance by Syrian government forces is senseless," he said.

Rudskoy said US inability to influence the opposition is the reason behind continued shelling of government positions, and continued deaths of Syrian military and civilians.

No air strikes delivered at areas agreed in Geneva

According to Rudskoy, no air strikes have been delivered by either Russian or Syrian warplanes over the week at areas that were agreed under the Geneva deals.

He stressed that in conformity with the agreements Syrian government troops "have completely stopped fire at armed groups in territories covered by the agreement."

"Bearing it in mind, I think it necessary to answer the ungrounded accusations of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry concerning the so-called indiscriminate bombing of the Syrian air force. No air strikes have been delivered in the past week by either Russian or Syrian air groups at areas agreed under the Geneva deals. No proof to that has been given to us," he said.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry alleged that Syrian government forces were attacking moderate opposition-controlled areas under the disguise of delivering strikes at positions of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra).

Moderate opposition’, Jabhat al-Nusra prepare joint offensive

Rudskoy stressed the "moderate opposition" and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group are preparing a joint offensive in Syria.

"The moderate opposition hasn’t separated itself from Jabhat al-Nusra. Moreover, rather than separation, we see an intermingling between the moderate opposition and Jabhat al-Nusra forces, and their preparations for joint offensives," he said.

According to Rudskoy, the US has been failing to provide the Russian military with precise data on the deployment of the US-controlled armed opposition groups. At the same time, as he said, the data handed over to Russia on September 13, did not meet the bilateral agreement, as there was only a general list of the militant groups that had agreed to join the ceasefire.

"There are no coordinates of the areas where these groups operate, no data on the militants’ numbers and no contact information of the armed groups’ leaders," Rudskoy explained.

Humanitarian deliveries

According to Rudskoy, the Syrian army has pulled back from the road Castello near Aleppo twice.

"The Syrian army has pulled back its heavy weapons, vehicles and personnel from that road to the agreed lines twice. However, due to provocations and the opposition’s reluctance to reciprocate this clause of the agreements has been disrupted," Rudskoy said.

Problems with humanitarian deliveries to the eastern part of Syrian Aleppo come because US-controlled armed groups have failed to pull back their forces and arms from Castello road, have not established a checkpoint at Castello road and have not passed it to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

"The issue of ensuring security of humanitarian convoys heading to the eastern part of Aleppo remains unresolved," he said.

He noted that the Russian side, for its part, has set up in the west of Castello road a check point for humanitarian aid and civil transport means and handed it over to the Syrian Red Crescent. Besides, militia units ensure security there, he said.

According to earlier reports, the Syrian army and the opposition forces are obliged to withdraw from the Castello road, expected to be used to deliver humanitarian supplies to Aleppo. A demilitarized zone is to be created along that road. The government army declared its pullback on September 16. Later in the day, though, it had to return to the original positions as militants continued bombardments.

US has no leverage over Syrian opposition

According to Rudskoy, the US has no efficient leverage over the moderate Syrian opposition and is unaware of the real situation in Syria.

"A bombing and striking attack by aircraft of the international coalition on positions of Syrian troops in the area of Deir ez-Zor the day before yesterday and an offensive of Islamic State armed gangs that was launched immediately after that attack testifies to this," he said.

63 civilians died

Rudskoy reported that truce in Syria has been violated 302 times since September 12, adding that 63 civilians were killed and 252 others injured.

"Over the past 24 hours alone there have been 53 bombardments. In all, since the truce was declared it has been violated 302 times. During this period 63 civilians were killed and 252 others injured. The Syrian army lost 153 men," he said.

The cessation of hostilities regime came into effect from 19:00 Moscow time on September 12. On September 14, the ceasefire was extended for 48 hours more. However, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, the ceasefire regime has been violated more than once over these days.

The chief of Russia’s center for the reconciliation of warring parties in Syria, Vladimir Savchenko, said that 26 of the 53 violations of truce occurred in Aleppo.

"In the city of Aleppo alone militants have staged 24 bombardments of the residential areas of Ramusi and Al-Zagra, the areas of the cement mill, the trading center Castello and the area of the Castello road," Rudskoi said. As a result, ten civilians, including two children were killed and 30 others injured," Savchenko said.

There have been more truce violations in Damascus Province (eight cases),Homs (seven, Hama and Latakia (five). Two incidents have occurred in Daraah province.

UN preparing humanitarian convoys

Savchenko went on to say that the UN is preparing humanitarian convoys to be dispatched to seven settlements in the Syrian province of Damascus and Idlib.

"Humanitarian convoys are prepared to be sent to the settlements of Muaddamia, Douma, Zamalka, Madaya and Zabadani in the province of Damascus, and Fua and Kafer Haya in the province of Idlib," he said.

Apart from that, United Nations humanitarian cargoes are being delivered to Tel Bisa and Al-Vayer in the Homs province and Big Orem in the province of Aleppo.

"The Syrian government has issued all necessary permissions and referred them to U.N. representatives," Savchenko said.

Russia blames US, opposition for failed truce in Syria

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-blames-us-opposition-failed-truce-syria/

Russian Ministry of Defense accused the US and opposition groups it supports in Syria of failing to meet their commitments under the Geneva deal, blaming them for the collapsed ceasefire.

"The United States and the groups of the so-called healthy opposition controlled by it have not met any of the commitments undertaken as part of the Geneva agreements. No separation of the moderate opposition and Jabhat al-Nusra has taken place," senior Russian military official Sergey Rudskoy.

Rudskoy also added that "moderate' opposition" have merged with Jabhet al-Nusra, and together are preparing for a massive joint offensive aganst the Syrian Army in Aleppo.

Rudskoy, who heads the main operations department of Russia’s General Staff, clearly stated that unilateral observance of the shaky ceasefire has become 'senseless' amidst ongoing shelling by militants, fueled by the inability for the US to influence the opposition forces active on the ground.

He also made clear that neither Russian nor Syrian jets have conducted airstrikes at areas covered by the agreement ever since the ceasefire came into force.

According to Rudskoy, the US-backed armed groups are full responsible for failure to deliver aids to the rebel-controlled eastern districts of Aleppo.

"The Syrian army has pulled back its heavy weapons, vehicles and personnel from the Castello road to the agreed lines twice. However, due to provocations and the opposition’s reluctance to reciprocate this clause of the agreements has been disrupted," he said.

Syrian Army makes huge advance in Deir Ezzor after carrying out special operation

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-makes-huge-advance-deir-ezzor-carrying-special-operation/

The Syrian Arab Army's elite "Qassem Units," under the direction of field commander General Ghassan Taraf, carried out a special operation inside the provincial capital of Deir Ezzor on Monday, targeting the Islamic State's only positions at the Industrial District (Hayy Al-Sina'a).

The Qassem Units began the operation by detonating 3 tunnel bombs under the Islamic State's positions in Al-Sina'a, destroying several of the terrorist group's trenches and equipment.

Following the tunnel bombings, the Qassem Units stormed the Islamic State's defenses, capturing a large chunk of territory between Al-Sina'a and Saqr Island (Hawija Al-Saqr) after a fierce battle.

According to a military source from the Qassem Units, their soldiers managed to capture the Islamic State's main industrial structures, measuring at a depth of 85 meters and 75 meters.

The Islamic State terrorists were forced to withdraw across the Euphrates after the Qassem Units overran their positions on Monday afternoon.

Tens of Islamic State terrorists were killed as a result of this special operation in Deir Ezzor, including several foreigners from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Iraq, and Uzbekistan.

Jeish Al-Fatah Hits Gov't-Held Districts in Aleppo, Kills Civilian

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950629000915

The Jeish al-Fatah terrorists struck the positions of the Syrian army soldiers and popular forces in the Northern side of Housing Project 1070 and al-Hamdaniyeh neighborhood, but their attacks were repelled by the strong defense of the country's government forces.

A civilian was killed by Jeish al-Fatah's snipers in al-Hamdaniyeh.

Field sources announced earlier today that a shaky ceasefire is underway in Aleppo.

Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said earlier today that the terrorist groups opened fire at scores of civilians, who tried to leave Aleppo's districts, killing at least 26 and wounding many more.

"The civilians who left Aleppo’s Sheikh Hader district via the 1st and 6th humanitarian corridors at ten in the morning on Sunday informed of the execution of 26 local residents, including nine teenagers, on Saturday. The slain people had asked militants arriving from another district of the city to leave their neighborhood to prevent an outbreak of hostilities there," the spokesman said.

"According to eyewitnesses, several hundred people took part in spontaneous protests against the presence of the terrorists," he added.

 

[Ca.]

Syrian Ceasefire Collapses After Assad Slams "Naked American Aggression"
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-19/syrian-ceasefire-near-collapse-after-assad-slams-naked-american-aggression
#BREAKING Syria army declares 'end' of ceasefire
https://twitter.com/AFP/status/777885878509268992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
AFP news agency
‏@AFP
#BREAKING Shelling, raids on Aleppo after Syria truce ends, AFP correspondent reports
https://twitter.com/AFP/status/777908240587886594
Snip:
Syrian opposition forces violated the truce more than 300 times since the ceasefire came into force, killing 153 Syrian personnel and 63 civilians, the Russian General Staff said.

"In the provinces of Aleppo and Hama, opposition units used the ceasefire to regroup, get more ammunition and prepare for an offensive to capture more territories, while the Syrian troops have ceased combat operations," Lt. Gen. Vladimir Savchenko said.

"The joint US-Russian statement on the cessation of hostilities in Syria reached on February 22, 2016 says that our states 'will also work together…to delineate the territory held by Daesh, al-Nusra Front and other terrorist organizations designated by the UN Security Council.' Unfortunately, our US colleagues still have not made any real steps in this direction," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"In the past 24 hours alone, the number of shelling attacks by militant groups reached 53 episodes. The cessation of hostilities regime has been violated a total of 302 times since it came into effect. During this period, 63 civilians died and 252 were injured, Syrian armed forces lost 153 service members," Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy, the head of the Russian Chief of the General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, said.

Syrian War Report – September 19, 2016: ISIS Obtains Air Force

https://youtu.be/7m-mfZq4B0c

 

[Pierre]

There really doesn't seem to be any way to overcome or break through that information monopoly. Every day I post articles on FB and twitter and I know others do as well. I'd sure like to think that a few hundreds of thousands of people do this every day. But even with that, the reach is limited. For the authoritarian follower, it doesn't matter: the "constituted authorities" are all that matter to them and they are about 40% of the population.

The picture below shows that trust in the MSM is steadily eroding and seeing the very biased way they cover the US election, I would not be surprised if the curve drops further down:

 

[bjorb]

There is this talk going on that the hawkish side of the US power structure ordered this attack to ruin the negotiations and possible cooperation with Russia.

And after the attack Moscow shorty responded with:

''Moscow expressed hope that the recent attack by the US-led coalition on the Syrian armed forces hadn't been ordered by Washington.''

Is their some serious division inside the US military branches at how to handle Russia and Syria? US generals massively support Trump, I think that's simply because they see where it will lead to with Hilary's global ambitions for WW3. Is the new Hillary administration giving the secret government a chance to put the most vile and hawkish side of the US power-structure reign supreme?

If you stave towards WW3, expect at least some generals to revolt. Secret government needs to cleanse those first before going full retard.

Besides US Generals being displeased with their possible participation in Armageddon, even Brzezinski recently remarked that the US should stop being an imperial power.

You can be the all powerful secret government and all that. But if many of your people simply don't want play their part. You got a major problem; maybe there is some division in the US power structure, if so. The Russians are wise to let this play out first before taking more drastic actions.


[quote author= C.A]CrossTalk on Syria: CEASEFIRE 2.0
Published on Sep 15, 2016

https://youtu.be/hpgTLd9oEzE

Is it déjà vu all over again? Russia and the U.S. have brokered another ceasefire to stop hostilities in Syria. But can these two parties ensure their allies and proxies commit to the deal? Are the Pentagon and the State Department on the same page? And what about fighting terrorist groups?
CrossTalking with Gareth Porter, Stephen Zunes, and Eva Bartlett

Eva Bartlett smoke's this guy from SF. Bravo![/quote]

Maybe that Muppet left to Eva Bartlett should stop cannibalizing his own upper lip and start listening to someone who is actually on the ground and capable of reporting the facts.

That said, this was a really good interview. Finally Assad is giving the praise he deserves.

 

[Palinurus]

<snip>
After the 9/11 attacks we had all the "Obama is under the bed" routine with the possible terror attack index going from orange to red to orange etc. like a jojo. Now we have small things like in explosions in New Jersey and it triggers the needed response, which before required greater stimuli for that effect, thus causing people to believe the lies that are peddled. Sad really!

Hey Aeneas, just for the record you did mean to write Osama there I believe ?

 

[Aeneas]

<snip>
After the 9/11 attacks we had all the "Obama is under the bed" routine with the possible terror attack index going from orange to red to orange etc. like a jojo. Now we have small things like in explosions in New Jersey and it triggers the needed response, which before required greater stimuli for that effect, thus causing people to believe the lies that are peddled. Sad really!

Hey Aeneas, just for the record you did mean to write Osama there I believe ?

LOL, you are right. Osama was the super boggy man. Obama was perhaps in the bed back then and Osama under it.

 

[JEEP]

Did this previous declaration by Assad 'poke the beast'?

"We say to them: you are sad and vanquished -- we are happy."

https://youtu.be/nQ012KHURgM
Syria's Assad sends a message to Western officials from recaptured city - English Subs

It seems like the attack on the Syrian army by US forces was especially vicious due to the white phosphorous bombs - an Israeli trademark. Russia has been [falsely?] accused of using these types of bombs on Aleppo:

Russian warplanes drop white phosphorus munitions on Aleppo’s residential areas

https://youtu.be/-e-pKoQahIE
Footage of Russian warplanes targeting civilians in Syria's second largest city of Aleppo while using white phosphorus munitions emerged over the weekend.

White phosphorus is an incendiary and toxic chemical substance that is banned by the international treaties and its usage constitutes a war crime. The video dated June 8 shows the Russian warplanes targeting Handarat area located just north of Aleppo city center, according to Turkish military sources.

In the footage, white phosphorus is seen dropped by Russian warplanes, while burning in the air and on the ground amid explosions with white smoke.

The usage of these munitions on civilian areas is a clear violation of United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons dated 1980 and constitutes a war crime, the sources said.

The smoke of white phosphorus causes sudden scars in lungs and suffocates people to death upon breathing, while causing an inside out burning on human body.

_http://www.dailysabah.com/syrian-crisis/2016/06/11/russian-warplanes-drop-white-phosphorus-munitions-on-aleppos-residential-areas

A war of words as well as munitions. Did the military command go rogue - in league w/ Israel?

 

[angelburst29]

I wondering, what's behind the U.S. - offering to extend the Ceasefire and waiting for Russia's response?
Are they hoping that they can go back to "business as usual" after Assad and Putin called off the Ceasefire?
Or is the U.S. afraid that the Assad Government will find a legal loophole to toss the U.S. and it's proxies out of Syria (through a safe corridor) or face bombardment from Syrian and Russian Forces? From some of the sources I have read, Putin has the military capabilities to clear the trash out of Syria within a week?

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that US officials are awaiting a response from Russia to a suggestion for extending the cessation of hostilities in Syria.

US Awaiting Russia’s Response on Offer to Extend Syria Ceasefire
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160920/1045487258/usa-awaiting-russian-syria-ceasefire.html

US officials are awaiting a response from Russia to a suggestion for extending the cessation of hostilities in Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday in New York.

"We need to see what the Russians say," Kerry stated when asked if Moscow had responded to Washington’s request to extend the ceasefire. "We need to see where we are, and then we’ll make a judgment. But we don’t have all the facts at this point." Kerry spoke ahead of his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

The secretary also urged Russian authorities to use their influence on Syrian President Bashar Assad to prevent bombings in the country.

Earlier on Monday, the Department of State said the United States is ready to prolong the ceasefire in Syria brokered by US and Russian diplomats. That statement followed a Syrian army announcement that the truce had ended due to numerous violations by militants.

Russian and US officials will hold urgent meetings on Monday night and Tuesday to discuss the collapse of the ceasefire in Syria.

US, Russia to Hold Urgent Meeting on Syria Following Ceasefire Collapse
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160920/1045488290/us-russia-urgent-syria-meeting.html

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told RIA Novosti that "we don't know" if the ceasefire is salvageable, and that it depends on Russia's cooperation. DETAILS TO FOLLOW

 

[sToRmR1dR]

New commander of Russia’s Caspian flotilla appointed

http://tass.com/politics/900919?_ga=1.11309943.231830454.1474178806

Rear Admiral Sergey Pinchuk has been appointed commander of the Caspian flotilla by a presidential decree, the defense ministry’s press service said on Tuesday.

"The former commander of the Caspian flotilla Igor Osipov has been appointed to a new position in the Pacific Fleet," the press service said.

Pinchuk, 45, was the commander of the Novorossiyskaya naval base of the Black Sea Fleet in 2011-2014.

Russian Aviation Base Near St.Petersburg Put on High Alert for Drills

https://sputniknews.com/military/20160920/1045492084/russian-aviation-drills-petersburg.html

The main purpose of the drills is improving helicopter crews’ flight and combat skills.

A Russian aviation base near St. Petersburg has been brought to high alert for tactical flight training, the Russian Defense Ministry’s Western Military District said Tuesday.

"The Western Military District’s army aviation base stationed in the Pushkin district of St. Petersburg was brought to high alert today as part of the starting tactical flight training," the district’s press service said.

Nearly all of the base’s technical engineer personnel and flight crews are scheduled to perform 30 helicopter flights a day, it added. The main purpose of the drills is improving the crews’ flight skills and combat helicopter use.

Mi-8, Mi-24 and Mi-35 helicopter crews will perform solo missions and fly within formations over the next four days in drills that include combat launches of unguided air-to-surface rockets, firing 23mm guns and 12.7mm machine guns at targets on a specialized range.

About 4,000 Russian Servicemen Start Drills in South Ossetia

https://sputniknews.com/military/20160920/1045491707/russia-south-ossetia-drills.html

Some 4,000 servicemen and 1,000 military hardware units have begun military exercises in South Ossetia.

Approximately 4,000 Russian servicemen and 1,000 units of hardware are involved in the military drills in South Ossetia, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service said Tuesday.

"The servicemen of the Russian military base in the Southern Military District have started the command and staff exercises in South Ossetia. About 4,000 servicemen and 1,000 military hardware units are involved in the drills, which will last up to September 24," the press service said.

New rebel group formed in Idlib

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/new-rebel-group-formed-idlib/

Three major rebel factions from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) have formed a new joint group called the "Free Idlib Army."

The Free Idlib Army is comprised of fighters from the Free Syrian Army's "Division 13", "Suqour Al-Jabal", and the "Northern Division."

This new rebel group will be backed by the U.S. and they will be eligible to receive the anti-tank TOW missiles because of their "moderate" status.

The factions that formed the Free Idlib Army were allied with jihadist rebel groups like Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham (formerly Al-Nusra Front) and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham' however, this does not appear to be an issue for the U.S.

Captain Hassan Hajj 'Ali will be the commander of the Free Idlib Army, per Syrian opposition activists.

Al-Nusra Front Ousts Syrian Army From Southern Aleppo Outskirts

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160920/1045490820/nusra-sham-ousts-syria-army-aleppo.html

The Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said that Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham militants have ousted the Syrian government troops and militia forces from a district at the southern outskirts of the Aleppo city.

Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham militants, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, have ousted the Syrian government troops and militia forces from a district at the southern outskirts of the Aleppo city, the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said in statement Tuesday.

"As a result of intense fighting, the militants have managed to oust the governmental forces and militia units from the southern outskirts of the Al Shuqayyif district and take under temporary control a 1-km [0.6-mile] section of the Castello Road," the statement reads.

Nusra Front terrorists launched on Monday a large-scale offensive on Syrian army positions in south-western outskirts of Aleppo City following a massive artillery shelling.

Syrian Army Destroys Leading al-Nusra Unit in Aleppo

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160920/1045491008/syrian-army-destroys-nusra-unit.html

Syrian government troops supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces have destroyed a leading unit of the Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham group in Aleppo.

Syrian government troops supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces have destroyed a leading unit of the Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, in Aleppo, the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said in statement Tuesday.

According to the statement, the Syrian government troops on Tuesday night repelled an offensive by Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham militants near military schools and 1070 quarter in Aleppo.

"During the counterattack, the Syrian forces supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces have destroyed the leading Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham unit, including four tanks, three infantry combat vehicles, nine pickup truck with heavy machine guns and up to 100 militants," the statement reads.

Al-Nusra Front terrorists launched on Monday a large-scale offensive on Syrian army positions in south-western outskirts of Aleppo City following a massive artillery shelling.

Russian, Syrian jets conduct 100+ airstrikes in Aleppo

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-syrian-jets-conduct-100-airstrikes-aleppo/

The Russian and Syrian air forces resumed their aerial campaign over the Aleppo Governorate on Monday night, targeting several sites under the control of Jaysh Al-Fateh and Fatah Halab.

According to a military source, the Syrian and Russian air forces launched most of their airstrikes over the southern countryside of Aleppo, hitting several Jaysh Al-Fateh targets inside the villages of Khan Touman, Khalsah, Tal Al-'Eis and Qarassi.

These airstrikes in southern Aleppo succored the Syrian Arab Army soldiers against Jaysh Al-Fateh, allowing them to drive the jihadist rebels back after a short battle.

In addition to the airstrikes over southern Aleppo, the Syrian and Russian air forces targeted the provincial capital's northern districts, including Dahret 'Abd Rabo, Al-Layramoun, and Bustan Al-Basha.

According to a field source in the provincial capital, the Syrian and Russian air forces conducted 100+ airstrikes over Aleppo tonight, marking the official end to the short-lived ceasefire.

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= Angelburst29]I wondering, what's behind the U.S. - offering to extend the Ceasefire and waiting for Russia's response?
Are they hoping that they can go back to "business as usual" after Assad and Putin called off the Ceasefire?[/quote]

- The US asking to extend the Ceasefire is just a ploy to benefit their proxy forces I think, to rearm and regroup.

If the negotiations fail, direct military confrontation with the US could be next. I think that's why Putin will choose to keep the talks going no matter how futile. It's the best strategy to go with. But the US war hawks desire war, and I think they are hoping for Putin to give up the talks, it should give them more room to operate from and plan out their full attack against Syria and allies in the region.

Turkey is setting up its wall along the border at a fast space and setting up buffer zones. Iran is willing to commit extra thousands of troops from what I understand of the recent 4+1 coalition meeting in Tehran.

Russia has this, and If the US attacks Syria. It also means they declared war on their Iraq and Iran, 4+1 coalition partner. And I think Turkey will close of all NATO bases. Erdogan should understand now that when ISIS prevails in Syria. Turkey could be easily next, the US wants him gone after all.

In that scenario the only way for the US to launch airstrikes from is their aircraft carriers, most European countries are to far away. It makes their striking capability limited. And aircraft carriers can be sunk of course.

There is simply no way that they could win this. But wishful thinking clearly tells them otherwise considering that they are not backing down. It should frighten everyone, because them unable to admit defeat means they are capable of using all kind of ways to turn the tide. Including the possible use of nuclear weapons.

Russia's intervention is really forcing the US to expose themselves and show their true colors.


Will the World really be that stupid to believe that the US attacks Syria, even Nukes Syria for the sake of saving the Syrian people? That's pushing it way to far. The World will hate the US. And a military defeat is a weakness they cannot permit for the sake of keeping the Empire together.

 

[RedFox]

There really doesn't seem to be any way to overcome or break through that information monopoly. Every day I post articles on FB and twitter and I know others do as well. I'd sure like to think that a few hundreds of thousands of people do this every day. But even with that, the reach is limited. For the authoritarian follower, it doesn't matter: the "constituted authorities" are all that matter to them and they are about 40% of the population.

The picture below shows that trust in the MSM is steadily eroding and seeing the very biased way they cover the US election, I would not be surprised if the curve drops further down:

fwiw this reminded me of something I read ages ago:

Truth Is Public Property

[..]
This is, in fact, the key to everything: the Media. The first thing that has to be done before anything else can be done is to take back the media. The media is the wall between the elite pathocrats and the public. It is the tool used to control and manipulate. In Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, and other totalitarian states down through history, the control of information was/is the means of control of the people. After all, the masses of people that are needed to support any kind of movement are in that part of the bell curve that indicates that they are just “average” and “followers” and “want to be left alone” and can only be moved by moving “en masse.” They are the ones that must be reached. And that can only be done via mass media. We do not own the mass media. I think that less than half of the people in the U.S., and a smaller percentage than that in other places, get their news via the internet. And we all know how much disinformation is on the net. Now, let’s back up and get some perspective here. People need to really think about who’s running the U.S. (and other countries on the planet), and get it firmly in mind that it is big business: oil companies and the arms industry. Now, think of the term: “RUTHLESS MEN”. Ponder it long and carefully. Even if you can’t believe that clinically diagnosible psychopaths are in power, just consider that big businesses are invariably headed by RUTHLESS MEN. The term “Establishment” refers to all those wealthy people across the country who own most of the country. And, as the news has recently reported, it is a very small percentage of the total population. Some people will do anything for money and to protect their interests and their wealth; that is usually how they get to be wealthy in the first place. In my opinion, many of the “industrial barons” of American history were criminals. They are extremists, radical, and most often use religion to justify this extremism and the oppression of others.

It is par for the course for such radicals to label anyone a little toward the center, or even in the center, as “Leftists”. In a country where the largest majority are in the center, neither Left nor Right, they are the ones that are hurt the most.
[..]
When you think about it, where does any private group or individual get off thinking that they “own” information, facts, data about events that happen in our world that affect everyone? The Truth is public property: it belongs to all.

After thinking about this for some time, I have come to the realization that all public media should be publicly owned and overseen by public commissions that are not in any way related to politics – neither elected nor appointed, but selected by random lottery from pools of qualified citizens. Only in this way can we guarantee to ourselves the support that is needed to accomplish everything else that must be done to clean up the mess that Ruthless, Greedy Men have made of our planet.

But in order to even approach that goal peacefully, we need to find ways to bypass the currently existing media – to become our own media.

That is the task before us.

My understanding is that things like BREXIT and the rise of Trump are a vote for change (among non authoritarian people), a vote against the establishment. The establishment seeks to control through directing peoples anger (Arab colour revolutions, Russia is evil etc), and the only choice left to people is to 'vote' for something they still don't want - they can't see any other option.
I don't know if that could be people to aim the message at? Housewives, retired people, college kids. All wanting a better world and not knowing how to get there. People who will protest and defend local or community matters.
Is their any way a distributed 'revolution' (rather than centralized and thus corruptible) could happen, a little like Occupy Wall Street but for the every day person? An every day guide to navigating pathology and finding empowerment/hope though local networking?
Maybe that's too much wishful thinking.