Clinton's notion of a “no fly” zone is gone: Russia got there first

[l.o.o.s.e.e-2]

In spite of the incessant drone of “Assad Must Go” from Obama, Clinton, and Kerry over these last several years, it looks like Assad will stay for now.

With deployment of the ground-based S-400 (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34976537) now covering 75% of Syria (part of Turkey as well subsequent to their downing of the Russian bomber), it appears the US and Russia may be on the verge of a new détente emanating from within their common goal of defeating ISIS/IS/ISIL.

Ironic that – in spite of the evidence that the US was posturing to foment “regime change” as early as 2006 (http://www.truth-out.org/progressivepicks/item/33180-wikileaks-reveals-how-the-us-aggressively-pursued-regime-change-in-syria-igniting-a-bloodbath) – John Kerry now tells Moscow reporters that, “The United States and our partners are not seeking so-called regime change." (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/12/15/world/europe/ap-eu-russia-us.html).

However, what immense suffering has been wrought in the Middle East, and still continues. What a terrible, terrible waste of humanity.

Well, will this be the beginning of the end for PNAC’s Pax Americana? If not, where will the husband-wife tag-team of Kagan and Nuland (https://consortiumnews.com/2015/03/20/a-family-business-of-perpetual-war/) venture next? And, did Kerry’s donut addiction influence US negotiations (http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/12/15/john-kerry-is-wicked-psyched-he-found-dunkin-donuts-in-moscow/)?

Stay tuned...

[leveymg]

1. Thanks for the links, particularly the "regime change in syria" article.

To be fair, though, there really should be a photo of Madam Secretary and Gen, Petraeus in there to illustrate the orchestra leaders. Kerry, I think, was more of the weening away group, at least while he was in the dining diplomat phase that lasted from 2009-mid 2010 when Track II took over.

[l.o.o.s.e.e-2]

4. You're welcome!

That wikileaks cables acquisition is quite something, huh?

Additionally, I'll always consider Libya to be the Secretary's war:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/hillarys-war-how-conviction-replaced-skepticism-in-libya-intervention/2011/10/28/gIQAhGS7WM_story.html

http://original.antiwar.com/mbenjamin/2015/10/30/hillary-clinton-hasnt-learned-a-thing-from-iraq/

Btw, I think I see some donuts in that table's breadbasket.

[madfloridian]

2. Thanks. Interesting and well-researched post.

We meddle too much.

[l.o.o.s.e.e-2]

3. You're welcome!

Hope the meddling begins to diminish.

[leveymg]

5. It will only increase under Clinton. She enjoys meddling.

It's what she was made for. Meddling and games playing is what all declining empires have done to them by their successors. Just ask the British and the Russians. They've had their fill of it. Now it's our turn. We're the dog who is being wagged by our "friends" in the Mideast and around the world. A shakedown, really.

[elias49]

6. Kagan and Nuland? Ukraine of course!

There's always someplace!

[l.o.o.s.e.e-2]

7. Ahhh yes... did anyone say...

Did anyone say, "F**k the EU (cookies)"?



Ukraine crisis: Transcript of leaked Nuland-Pyatt call - BBC News ("F**k the EU&quot http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26079957

edit: expletive from phone call clarified