Like the best of conjurers, he distracts you with one hand (or in his case, his mouth!) whilst fixing the cards with his other hand. Or at least, that is how Mr. John R. Bradley sees it in this week's 'Speccie'. According to him, there has been a major stitch-up in the Middle East with all sorts of 'enemies' now becoming 'friends'. Well, not exactly "friends" perhaps but at least 'working partners'! You only need look at the list of ingredients that has gone into this melting pot to be amazed that the oven didn't explode! Russia, the USA, Israel, Assad's Syria, Iran, Hezbollah, Saudi and the Gulf States have all quietly agreed to a new (sort of) settlement which gives everyone something.
First of all, America, up to its chin in fracked oil, now has the chance to pull out of the Middle East in which it no longer has the slightest interest. Russia gets to keep its naval facility in the Med but given the parlous state of the Russian navy, a fat lot of good it will do them! 'Vlad' will continue to sleep with Assad and we hope they will both be very happy together! The Israelis have gained their main objective of keeping all hostile forces well clear of their frontiers. The Iranians have been promised 'loads'a dosh' from Vlad for their 'petro' industry but I would advise them to clear the cheque fast!
That, as you would expect from this, er, distinguished blog, is a very rough summary of a complex analysis by Mr. Bradley and I would urge you all to read the original article for a full understanding of the myriad details. The most important factor is that the USA under 'The Don' is intent on pulling out of the Middle East. He has already indicated his irritation with NATO so one wonders how long (or short!) it will be before we all stand on the seashore waving goodbye to American military power?
Suffice to say, I think, that "the times they are a-changin'!" and very, er, 'bigly', too!
Wouldn't it be nice, if for once we got ahead of the curve? No more American wars; no more French wars. Just adopt the Porcupine policy. Curl up in a ball and blast anyone who touches us!
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Sunday, 22 July 2018 at 10:43
Duffers I read that article a couple of days ago.
Sounds like a huge outcome. Can't imagime o'bama achieving that.
Greatest president since reagan? Starting to look that way.
Posted by: Cuffleyburgers | Sunday, 22 July 2018 at 12:03
I'm sure his knowledge is less detailed than he'd have us believe, but I'm also sure he's barking up the right tree.
I never understood why the west went after Assad in the first place. He's just a run of the mill Eastern Despot, and had he been deposed would have been replaced with another, likely worse- there's a reason Eastern countries are ruled by despots and it's nothing the West has caused or can cure.
Besides if the object is to end the war then backing the strongest side is the obvious step. And apart from perhaps the Kurds there's no one there that we like or that likes us- and the Kurds are landlocked thus difficult to supply, are only interested in their part of the country, and are mistrusted by the Turks, Iraqis and Iranians.
Supposing peace does break out in Syria we could offer free transport home to all those Syrian refugees- I would expect the excuses to be epic!
Posted by: Pat | Sunday, 22 July 2018 at 12:18
Lots of moving parts, but a very interesting article. This part here, "The Gulf Arabs’ paranoia about Iranian expansionism is less acute. Israel gets rid of the threat on its border posed by Iran and Hezbollah", may be some wishful thinking, but then multiple agreements with bad actors requires it.
A lot went on in Helsinki. It's a shame our western media gets hung up on what is said vs what is done and will be done.
Also it is very odd that Iranian navy boats are not stopping, bothering and even capturing US Navy patrol boats as of January 2017. Maybe Iran can't seem to find our little boats all of a sudden.
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 22 July 2018 at 13:39
One reason Trump did as well as he did in the election was his campaigning against stupid wars; the remnants of the Iraq invasion. Bradly might be a bit overly optimistic about the state of play, though. The US military and others are apparently a bit confused:
https://www.npr.org/2018/07/19/630550821/russia-says-agreements-were-discussed-with-trump-on-syria-the-u-s-is-silent
And the US role is unclear:
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-agree-plan-end-syrian-civil-war-1035157
The only thing definite is there are lots of moving parts.
Posted by: Bob | Sunday, 22 July 2018 at 15:57
From Instapundit this morning:
KISSINGER ON TRUMP: “I think Trump may be one of those figures in history who appears from time to time to mark the end of an era and to force it to give up its old pretences. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he knows this, or that he is considering any great alternative. It could just be an accident.”
"This is similar to what I keep saying, that the fundamental characteristic of Trump’s presidency is the renegotiation of post-WWII arrangements and institutions. Those who consider themselves responsible and far-sighted should be thinking about how that renegotiation should take place, rather than mindlessly fighting change.
Plus: “In the 1940s, European leaders had a clear sense of direction. Now they are just trying to avoid trouble.” And they are not doing a very good job of it."
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 22 July 2018 at 16:01
Kissinger, who also wanted to quit a war, could turn out to be as appropriate a figure to comment as any. He was credited with with some success, but was certainly controversial:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Kissinger#Vietnam_War
Posted by: Bob | Sunday, 22 July 2018 at 17:49