Or, as in this case, when the messenger's messages are always bug-ass stupid.
Omar I don't think anyone is financing them. They developed in an area where rules/laws aren't really enforced well. I'd guess they started off with modest gear then captured better gear. Look at how the Iraqi army ran from a small number of these guys. They rule and attract followers by being the tough winning team.
Syria: 1000 Iranian Marines Join Russian Troops in Jablah Base
Don't know why you think this will be the full extent of military build up in Syria. You don't make this investment with the intent to lose your time, effort, and soldier's lives.
I mean... are you really wish casting them to lose the war because you... what, want ISIS to win? That is what is on the verge of happening. United States policy needs to be to help Russia / Iran / Syria / Anyone Else DESTROY ISIS. Syria should absolutely not be handed over to genocidal terrorism.
You think of this war as "house to house" and 100k troops, but that's not how it should be fought. That's how the US played policeman over in Iraq and that's how you lose a war. I can only hope that these military units take off the kid gloves and teach you what winning looks like. A real military leader will be there for killing the enemy, not playing policeman on the streets with their soldiers' lives.
ISIS is a mere militia, easily dispatched on the battlefield.
There is no excuse good enough for their continued existence.
Let's face the truth, the Assad regime cannot take care of its own problem. Else, the Iranians, the Hezbollah militia, now the Russians wouldn't be needed. The Russians can only do so much, just like the Iranians.
You think Assad has been playing nice with the rebels?
From 1992 to 2015, which is a life time, but still the main sources of fund weren't terminated and publicly exposed of that AQ group.Omar I don't think anyone is financing them. They developed in an area where rules/laws aren't really enforced well. I'd guess they started off with modest gear then captured better gear. Look at how the Iraqi army ran from a small number of these guys. They rule and attract followers by being the tough winning team.
Exactly. Oil selling was truly a joke, and the media isn't talkative at all about such subject.Fuel & ammo aren't free. You can say they're selling oil, I suppose, but somebody's buying it & somebody's knowingly selling them what they need.
It's not like they're melting bronze statues to make cannons.
Of course that ignores the United States role in funding, equipping, and training forces against Assad.
I think Russian and US capabilities far exceed that of his.
And with the stories of escaped slaves, ISIS has free mobility to move throughout Iraq and Syria. Cut off the border, close the roads, and cut off each city.
What message? Your paranoid duhversion about Israel?When you can't attack the message, attack the messenger.
Your "points" are limited to two couplets: US and Israel bad/Russia good, and conservatives and right bad/progressives and left good. Only those thankfully few people as far left and as stupid as yourself would even deign to call them points the first time, much less honor each time you vomit them forth.Can't address the points made? Double down on the label & dismiss. You learned that from the great Rushbo, I figure.
Personally I am much less concerned about the width of the war than its end result. Would World War II have been somehow better had America stayed out? What about the United Kingdom,which carried the war alone for years? Should we both have just minded our business to avoid widening the regional war into a world war?Like training a group of 50 or so? Let's play fair, now if the Russians and the Iranians stop supporting Assad totally, no money, no advisers, no ammo. And we stop training a small group of so-called moderate fighters. But the world isn't fair is it? As I see it, if the Iranians and the Russians are involved in the fighting in Syria, the war will widen, not less.
We're talking about small army, when it comes to ISIS. (at least that what the official estimates tells)How ISIS funds itself has been a topic of discussion here and in the media.
Sales of oil is no "joke". I can no longer remember the estimated amount of revenue but it was the millions of $'s per week I believe. I've linked it before. That was several months ago and the amount of revenue has likely changed.
ISIS also imposes taxes upon people in the areas they control.
They have also looted banks in the various areas they control (or had control for a period). IIRC this is quite a substantial number. Some were large central banks.
They have been active in kidnapping and demanding ransom.
They have also been selling sex slaves etc.
Simply put, ISIS has found numerous ways to raise money. As far as the M.E. goes I believe they pay pretty good. This has contributed substantially to their ability to attract recruits.
Also, expenses (wages for fighters) are not high in the ME and they just plain steal much of what they need (arms, ammo, vehicles and homes for lodging).
Fern
Your "points" are limited to two couplets: US and Israel bad/Russia good, and conservatives and right bad/progressives and left good. Only those thankfully few people as far left and as stupid as yourself would even deign to call them points the first time, much less honor each time you vomit them forth.
Like training a group of 50 or so? Let's play fair, now if the Russians and the Iranians stop supporting Assad totally, no money, no advisers, no ammo. And we stop training a small group of so-called moderate fighters. But the world isn't fair is it? As I see it, if the Iranians and the Russians are involved in the fighting in Syria, the war will widen, not less.
We have trained\equipped more than 50. We have also been sending financial support for years. We cut it once we realize the people we are supporting are problems. But magically a new group rises up and we send more.
Of course the world isnt fair. But you act as if the Assad regime has been fighting just a bunch of rag tag fighters. These fighters, including elements of ISIS at one point had our support. It is difficult to control your own territory when a more power nation is funding a rebel causes. Dont act like the this problem doesnt have our hands all over it.
The war predictably widened once we got involved.
We're talking about small army, when it comes to ISIS. (at least that what the official estimates tells)
Few robbed banks, few ransomed hostages and taxes (which would be also used to finance the towns needs, not only their army), would all that be enough to finance their war budget.
As for the oil matter, it's truly a global joke that I'd remember for the rest of my life. Where are those anti-terrorism laws against the buyers and the operational companies of such refineries.
If ISIS is really such a boogieman for the region, how in hell a neighbor country would allow itself to finance them by buying their oil.
It doesn't make any sense, exactly as many other aspects about the public story of IS/AQ.
Ok, if they've successfully robbed $500 million in 2014, I don't think it's possible to repeat the same exact process again in 2015, at least not to the same extent.
Why should we care?http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/w...r-iraq-and-iran-escalate-tension-with-us.html
With the local Iran friendly government turning a blind eye, Russia is now flying stuff to Syria over Iraq.
We spent several thousand American lives and a trillion dollars "liberating" Iraq. Now it's a conduit for Russian arms through Iran into Syria, with local government saying "We don't know nuthin."
The time to 'give a damn' has long passed.We spent several thousand American lives and a trillion dollars "liberating" Iraq. Now it's a conduit for Russian arms through Iran into Syria, with local government saying "We don't know nuthin."