Keep in mind, that Erdogan is not the only one with designs on the so-called "Afrin-Jarabulus corridor" east of the Euphrates. Powerful politicians in the US, including John McCain, Lindsay Graham, Jeb Bush, Hillary Clinton and others, have all alluded to this area as the most suitable location for a no-fly zone. And, despite the fact that Obama refuses to send US ground forces to fight in Syria, he has continued to fuel the conflict in other less conspicuous ways. Just last Wednesday, under the cover of the Thanksgiving holiday when the media was preoccupied with other matters, Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 which provides another $800 million in aid to armed extremists in Syria and Ukraine. The NDAA, which effectively prevents the closing down of US concentration camp at Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo), reflects Obama's determination to continue Washington's vicious policy in Syria which has resulted in the deaths of more than 250,000 and the displacement of 11 million more.
This helps to explain why the Russian offensive has set alarms off in Washington; it's because the US plan to establish a permanent staging ground for terrorists in N Syria is quickly going up in smoke.
Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer, Toni Cartalucci explains exactly what's at stake for the warring parties in a brilliant piece at Global Research titled "'Humanitarian Supplies' for the Islamic State (ISIS): NATO's Terror Convoys Halted at Syrian Border." Here's an excerpt:
"Russia's increased activity along the Syrian-Turkish border signifies the closing phases of the Syrian conflict. With Syrian and Kurdish forces holding the border east of the Euphrates, the Afrin-Jarabulus corridor is the only remaining conduit for supplies bound for terrorists in Syria to pass...When this corridor is closed and supplies cut off, ISIS, Nusra, and all associated NATO-backed factions will atrophy and die as the Syrian military restores order across the country...
"With that support being cut off and the prospect of these militants being eradicated, the true sponsors behind this conflict are moving more directly and overtly to salvage their failed conspiracy against the Syrian state. What we see emerging is what was suspected and even obvious all along -- a proxy war started by, and fought for Western hegemonic ambitions in the region, intentionally feeding the forces of extremism, not fighting them." (Humanitarian Supplies for the Islamic State (ISIS): NATO's Terror Convoys Halted at Syrian Border, Global Research)
Seen in this light, Obama's recent request for Turkey to deploy "30,000 (troops) to seal the border on the Turkish side," (See: Wall Street Journal) should be viewed with extreme skepticism. Clearly, Washington has not relented in its "Assad must go" policy at all, in fact, Obama reiterated that mantra less than a week ago. That means the Obama crew may be hoping that Turkish ground forces can succeed where his jihadi proxies failed, that is, that the 30,000 troops will be used to clear and hold a 60- 20-mile stretch of Syrian territory that can be used as the proposed safe zone. All Turkey would need is a pretext to invade and a little bit of air cover from the USAF. It wouldn't be the first time a false flag was used to start a war.
The bottom line is this: Putin had better move quickly before Washington and Ankara get their ducks in a row and begin to mobilize. The time to seize the border is now.
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