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David__77

(24,852 posts)

38. Consolidating Damascus and Homs is key to the government.

Mon Jul 1, 2013, 01:35 AM

Jul 2013

If I were advising the government, I would not try to take additional areas in Aleppo or north or Idlib. I would try to clear Homs and Damascus, and especially to put a stop to the random shelling of civilian areas by insurgents. Restoring normal economic life to Damascus would be a key factor. Assad has no need to grasp the whole country, but only to gather close to him a coalition of 1) minority sects and religions, and 2) a portion of left-leaning and secular forces in order to remain in power indefinitely. The secular Afghan government in the 80s, even with the terrible Soviet occupation, never held more than a strand of territory/roads containing a handful of population centers - and that war went on for 13 years. I could certainly see Assad consolidating Damascus, Homs, Daraa, and of course the coastal region.

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Syrian Army, Backed By Jets, Launches Assault On Homs [View all] Purveyor Jun 2013 OP

Controlling Homs is critical to Assad's survival strategy. Stay tuned. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2013 #1

Apparently, the attack has failed formercia Jun 2013 #2

Yeah, maybe like Qusayr, where we heard about the dozens of Hezbollah casulties... Comrade Grumpy Jun 2013 #4

.... formercia Jun 2013 #16

The opposition put the rebel dead at Qusayr at 431 to more than 500. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2013 #22

I'm sure you approve of US drone attacks against terrorists. joshcryer Jun 2013 #25

His only perspective is : "good or bad for Isra�l". He is ready to sacrifice people and logic Sand Wind Jun 2013 #31

Wow. Two consecutive non sequitur responses. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2013 #32

We don't have to accepte your premises. Nt Sand Wind Jun 2013 #33

Sure. But you don't get to just make them up, either, which you just did. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2013 #35

Assad�s forces which are being backed by Lebanese Hezbollah militants Sand Wind Jun 2013 #3

Yeah, and there may even be a few Syrian rebels in among the Algerians, Brits, Belgians, Chechens... Comrade Grumpy Jun 2013 #5

I doubt democracy is on the list of concerns right now jzodda Jun 2013 #6

I'm sure the government forces which are backed by minority groups rpannier Jun 2013 #20

According to the Center for American Progress, Syrians make up about 95% of the rebels. pampango Jun 2013 #7

6,000 eh? It depends on where you get the data from. indio55555 Jun 2013 #8

RT, lol, who cite an imaginary report, lol, that nobody can found, lol. Sand Wind Jun 2013 #10

That's right. It isn't 'real' new unless Fox news says it is eh? eom Purveyor Jun 2013 #13

RT and Faux News are the two sides of the same stupid coin. Nt. Sand Wind Jun 2013 #14

Not from where I sit as I have RT streaming in the office at least 4 hours a day. eom Purveyor Jun 2013 #15

Aren't you the first one to bring FOX news into this discussion? Sand Wind did not. pampango Jun 2013 #30

LOL thats the Foreign Minister of Syria jzodda Jun 2013 #12

If you trust Russia Today more than the Center for American Progress then we disagree pampango Jun 2013 #17

Thanks as always pampango for your insightful commentary. joshcryer Jun 2013 #26

Thanks for this! jzodda Jun 2013 #11

You really want to know John2 Jun 2013 #18

It is not MY report. It was done by the Center for American Progress. pampango Jun 2013 #23

People read bullshit from RT and Press TV, read report that do not exist, Sand Wind Jun 2013 #24

A couple of things: Comrade Grumpy Jun 2013 #21

To point 3 it's probably fubar'd. joshcryer Jun 2013 #27

Good points. My response: pampango Jun 2013 #29

Bingo. Syria proves if you crush the democracy movement early... joshcryer Jun 2013 #36

Just hope we stay out of this mess PaulKersey Jun 2013 #9

why use jet aircraft? artillery would be more helpful. nt quadrature Jun 2013 #19

Jets are more precise. joshcryer Jun 2013 #28

With competent well trained pilots using modern munitions yes... EX500rider Jun 2013 #34

Another gas pipeline proxy war brought to you by Peak Oil, climate change, and energy geopolitics. cgrissomb Jun 2013 #37

Consolidating Damascus and Homs is key to the government. David__77 Jul 2013 #38