This is coolbert:
ISIL now advancing in Syria as well. That newly captured military hardware I assume being put to good use. Assad has nearly defeated the Free Syrian Army [FSA] but now faces a much more difficult opponent.
"Assessing the State of the Syrian Army as ISIS Advances"
"ISIS has gone to war with the Islamic Front in the Ghouta area and has been squeezed out of Ghouta, and is now trying to open a new front in Qalamoun, the range of mountains near Lebanon that the Syrian army just took back."
"this month ISIS took the Shaar gas field and killed well over 100 Syrian soldiers. Others have [since] disappeared. Then ISIS has been taking villages around Aleppo. So even as the army threatens to take Aleppo and is besieging parts of the city, ISIS is threatening to come back and fight them again there."
"Then ISIS is surrounding air bases and military bases in Deir Ezzor and other strongholds. So overall, the regime has been very badly mauled by ISIS. And it's not something they were prepared for or expecting."
To be honest, even two months ago NO ONE even was aware of the existence of ISIL. NOW they are front page news and the topic of discussion. Where others have failed, ISIL has succeeded and done so with panache'!
Assad and his followers almost exclusively Alawites. Nominal Shia and detested by the Sunni ISIL. ISIL combatants do have a maniacal fervor about them.
coolbert.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Turks.
This is coolbert:
These numbers seem to increase and multiply in an exponential number. The last figures I saw for the total ISIL combat force was about two thousand!
"More than 1,000 Turks fighting for the Islamic Caliphate"
"The number of Turkish citizens fighting under the umbrella of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is slightly more than 1,000, according to Turkish officials, who admit that they are unable to learn the exact number. The estimated number of armed ISIL fighters is around 12,000 to 15,000, which shows that Turks make up just less than 10 percent of the jihadist group."
Turkey purports to be secular and wants admission into the European Union. That even a number of about 1,000 Turks have joined ISIL and are actively involved in the combat must be a worry to Ankara?
coolbert.
These numbers seem to increase and multiply in an exponential number. The last figures I saw for the total ISIL combat force was about two thousand!
"More than 1,000 Turks fighting for the Islamic Caliphate"
"The number of Turkish citizens fighting under the umbrella of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is slightly more than 1,000, according to Turkish officials, who admit that they are unable to learn the exact number. The estimated number of armed ISIL fighters is around 12,000 to 15,000, which shows that Turks make up just less than 10 percent of the jihadist group."
Turkey purports to be secular and wants admission into the European Union. That even a number of about 1,000 Turks have joined ISIL and are actively involved in the combat must be a worry to Ankara?
coolbert.
Egypt & Pakistan.
This is coolbert:
Those Egyptian commando troops are not alone!
Pakistan now enters the fray?
"Pakistan troops to defend jittery Saudis"
"Saudi Arabia has deployed thousands of troops from Egypt and Pakistan along its frontier with Iraq, amid fears of invasion by the al-Qaeda splinter group that has declared a radical Islamic state across the border."
"Panicked by the advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (Isis), Riyadh has taken the drastic step of calling in military assistance from its close allies to shore up the porous 500-mile border"
coolbert.
Those Egyptian commando troops are not alone!
Pakistan now enters the fray?
"Pakistan troops to defend jittery Saudis"
"Saudi Arabia has deployed thousands of troops from Egypt and Pakistan along its frontier with Iraq, amid fears of invasion by the al-Qaeda splinter group that has declared a radical Islamic state across the border."
"Panicked by the advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (Isis), Riyadh has taken the drastic step of calling in military assistance from its close allies to shore up the porous 500-mile border"
coolbert.
Occupation II.
This is coolbert:
Conclusion!
From a Carlo D'Este book review:
"THE CONQUERORS Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction Of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945" By Michael Beschloss.
"Before relinquishing his post as U.S. occupation commander in October 1945, Dwight Eisenhower said, 'The success of this occupation can only be judged fifty years from now. If the Germans at that time have a stable, prosperous democracy, then we shall have succeeded.' More than 50 years later, we can see the Eisenhower's visionary aspiration is a reality. Modern-day Germany, writes Beschloss, 'resembles the Germany that Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman once imagined far more than either man could probably have ever dreamt.'"
Far more indeed!! And all for the better too!!
My understanding is that allied interrogators engaged in political dialog with those former German military officers of junior rank! Purposefully done with good intentions. Occupation not characterized by hate, mistreatment, brutality.
One of those interrogators possible including Henry [Heinz] Kissinger.
Native German speakers, quite often refugees, seeking to stimulate conversation as to the future of Germany. Germany redeemed, forgoing the fascist past and once again a member of western civilization in good standing. Democratic, capitalist, Christian. A free nation prosperous and stable! This was possible, so went the discussion.
Allied "visionary aspiration SUCCESSFUL!
coolbert.
Conclusion!
From a Carlo D'Este book review:
"THE CONQUERORS Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction Of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945" By Michael Beschloss.
"Before relinquishing his post as U.S. occupation commander in October 1945, Dwight Eisenhower said, 'The success of this occupation can only be judged fifty years from now. If the Germans at that time have a stable, prosperous democracy, then we shall have succeeded.' More than 50 years later, we can see the Eisenhower's visionary aspiration is a reality. Modern-day Germany, writes Beschloss, 'resembles the Germany that Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman once imagined far more than either man could probably have ever dreamt.'"
Far more indeed!! And all for the better too!!
My understanding is that allied interrogators engaged in political dialog with those former German military officers of junior rank! Purposefully done with good intentions. Occupation not characterized by hate, mistreatment, brutality.
One of those interrogators possible including Henry [Heinz] Kissinger.
Native German speakers, quite often refugees, seeking to stimulate conversation as to the future of Germany. Germany redeemed, forgoing the fascist past and once again a member of western civilization in good standing. Democratic, capitalist, Christian. A free nation prosperous and stable! This was possible, so went the discussion.
Allied "visionary aspiration SUCCESSFUL!
coolbert.
Occupation I.
This is coolbert:
Only recently have seen this U.S. Army training film.
"Your Job in Germany". A twelve minute training film intended only for American troops whose mission was the occupying force in Germany at the end of World War Two [WW2].
This film having a very strong and negative bias toward the defeated German. That American troop told to keep a respectful distance between the German national and themselves. Keep to yourself and do not mix and mingle with THEM!!
You can download and view the freeware copy of the film for yourself.
"'Your Job In Germany' is a short film made for the United States War Department in 1945 just before Victory in Europe (VE) Day. It was shown to US soldiers about to go on occupation duty in Germany. The film was made by the military film unit commanded by Frank Capra and was written by Theodor Geisel, better known by his pen name Dr. Seuss."
Theodor Geisel I was familiar with for his war cartoons and depictions of the enemy as less than human. But NOT as a script writer and surely not as a script writer for U.S. Army training films.
Robert Capra also famous for his "Why We Fight" series of wartime documentaries. What would be best classified as war propaganda.
And of all the groups of German nationals to be most feared and for the American soldier to have the least contact with was those Germans who had been members of the HITLER YOUTH! Thought to be incorrigible and beyond redemption and most dangerous.
Those Soviet soldiers during the Battle of Berlin 1945 finding those German units consisting of Hitler Youth the most daring, fearless, and yes from the military standpoint DANGEROUS!!
coolbert.
"You will not argue with them. You will not be friendly.... There will be no fraternization with any of the German people"
Only recently have seen this U.S. Army training film.
"Your Job in Germany". A twelve minute training film intended only for American troops whose mission was the occupying force in Germany at the end of World War Two [WW2].
This film having a very strong and negative bias toward the defeated German. That American troop told to keep a respectful distance between the German national and themselves. Keep to yourself and do not mix and mingle with THEM!!
You can download and view the freeware copy of the film for yourself.
"'Your Job In Germany' is a short film made for the United States War Department in 1945 just before Victory in Europe (VE) Day. It was shown to US soldiers about to go on occupation duty in Germany. The film was made by the military film unit commanded by Frank Capra and was written by Theodor Geisel, better known by his pen name Dr. Seuss."
Theodor Geisel I was familiar with for his war cartoons and depictions of the enemy as less than human. But NOT as a script writer and surely not as a script writer for U.S. Army training films.
Robert Capra also famous for his "Why We Fight" series of wartime documentaries. What would be best classified as war propaganda.
And of all the groups of German nationals to be most feared and for the American soldier to have the least contact with was those Germans who had been members of the HITLER YOUTH! Thought to be incorrigible and beyond redemption and most dangerous.
Those Soviet soldiers during the Battle of Berlin 1945 finding those German units consisting of Hitler Youth the most daring, fearless, and yes from the military standpoint DANGEROUS!!
coolbert.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Perspectives.
This is coolbert:
From a comment by Jawaid to a previous blog entry:
"I do not comprehend as to why is the West so afraid of Sunni Armed Groups and their successes. Why are Sunnis being dubbed as terrorists? Why the West supports directly or indirectly Iran and its Shia Proxies? The rise of Sunnis through ISIL in Iraq and Syria is a good omen for Sunnis of these countries and West should not feel threatened from this development."
My best answer is that the western perspective of the ISIL advance can take you in one of two directions:
1. From the western perspective the advance of ISIL can be seen as a thing of good. This will create an instance of diffused and unfocused energy. The Sunni and Shia will fight and continue to fight neither side able to prevail over the other. Shia and the proxies of Iran NOT able to dominate that area of the Middle East, machinations and goals unfulfilled.
2. From the western perspective the advance of ISIL also can be seen as a thing of bad. Creates too much additional instability in a region of the world already in chaos. That area of the world seen as vital to the world economy and international peace and harmony.
ISIL only as reported today attempting to make contact with the dissident factions in Libya, hoping for allegiance and fealty to the cause of al-Baghdadi. The movement [ISIL] hopes to become international in scope?
coolbert.
From a comment by Jawaid to a previous blog entry:
"I do not comprehend as to why is the West so afraid of Sunni Armed Groups and their successes. Why are Sunnis being dubbed as terrorists? Why the West supports directly or indirectly Iran and its Shia Proxies? The rise of Sunnis through ISIL in Iraq and Syria is a good omen for Sunnis of these countries and West should not feel threatened from this development."
My best answer is that the western perspective of the ISIL advance can take you in one of two directions:
1. From the western perspective the advance of ISIL can be seen as a thing of good. This will create an instance of diffused and unfocused energy. The Sunni and Shia will fight and continue to fight neither side able to prevail over the other. Shia and the proxies of Iran NOT able to dominate that area of the Middle East, machinations and goals unfulfilled.
2. From the western perspective the advance of ISIL also can be seen as a thing of bad. Creates too much additional instability in a region of the world already in chaos. That area of the world seen as vital to the world economy and international peace and harmony.
ISIL only as reported today attempting to make contact with the dissident factions in Libya, hoping for allegiance and fealty to the cause of al-Baghdadi. The movement [ISIL] hopes to become international in scope?
coolbert.
Submarines.
This is coolbert:
Until now, for the last three years nothing has been heard of this.
"Enlisted Women to Join Sub Crews Starting in 2016"
"The Department of the Navy plans to add enlisted women crewmembers to seven Ohio-class submarines starting in 2016 and to four Virginia-class attack submarines beginning in 2020."
Ohio class submarines ballistic missile firing vessels with the exception of those configured to fire cruise missiles.
Virginia class submarines attack warships with an awesome potential.
The idea originally was to "man" two Virginia class boats with a strictly woman crew.
NO complications in that case with regard to berthing, toilet, etc.
And women officers in command to include those in charge of the nuclear reactors, selection from a group of female physics majors meticulous, that program arduous even for the best prepared and most educated male officers.
Women on submarines [an all female crew] does make sense?
* NO need for separate berthing and toilet facilities.
* NO real danger of becoming prisoner-of-war.
* Strength also not an issue. Enlisted personnel at most performing tasks as would a heavy machine operator.
Calling all men who serve currently or have served in submarines. Let me hear from you on this one. Thanks in advance.
coolbert.
Until now, for the last three years nothing has been heard of this.
"Enlisted Women to Join Sub Crews Starting in 2016"
"The Department of the Navy plans to add enlisted women crewmembers to seven Ohio-class submarines starting in 2016 and to four Virginia-class attack submarines beginning in 2020."
Ohio class submarines ballistic missile firing vessels with the exception of those configured to fire cruise missiles.
Virginia class submarines attack warships with an awesome potential.
The idea originally was to "man" two Virginia class boats with a strictly woman crew.
NO complications in that case with regard to berthing, toilet, etc.
And women officers in command to include those in charge of the nuclear reactors, selection from a group of female physics majors meticulous, that program arduous even for the best prepared and most educated male officers.
Women on submarines [an all female crew] does make sense?
* NO need for separate berthing and toilet facilities.
* NO real danger of becoming prisoner-of-war.
* Strength also not an issue. Enlisted personnel at most performing tasks as would a heavy machine operator.
Calling all men who serve currently or have served in submarines. Let me hear from you on this one. Thanks in advance.
coolbert.
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