Russian forces in Syria.

[Workingman]

Reuters is reporting that the Russians have stationed tanks, artillery and military personnel in Syria.

It is building up the airfield at Latakia and one near the port of Tartus where its ships are based.

If, as seems likely, Russia sends aircraft to attack IS we would have Russia, US, NATO and a coalition of Arabs all operating in the same battle zone against a common enemy, IS, but supporting different sides in the civil war. They will all have to communicate and cooperate with each other to avoid 'friendly fire' incidents, and that could prove a good thing.

It could also go the other way if things go wrong. Interesting events.

[Nanna]

And I worried about the Bay of Pigs

[Suff]

There is certainly a lot going on. One thing Russia will bring to the conflict is a total stop in the rebels advancing on Assad's strongholds. Until IS is removed from the picture I see that as a good thing. Although I'm totally against the rebels winning. Look what we have seen as each of these "relatively" stable regimes fall. War, conflict, tens of thousands of deaths, extremism, brutal murders.

For what? Some 21st century western notion of democracy? Let them catch up with the 18th century first.

Another thing will prey on their minds. Such as the 200 Russian troops who sneaked out of Bosnia in June 99 and claimed to have "taken possession" of Pristina airport in Kosovo. NATO will not trust the Russians as their allies.

There are other more technical issues too in terms of weapons and tactics and giving the Russians far more information than is good for NATO.

One thing is for sure. Assad and Russian will have no issue decimating IS. We, on the other hand, can't even blow the murdering scum away without our press shouting murder because the murdering scum happen to be in possession of a British Passport. Although Cameron should have been on top of this. They should have passed a law removing British Citizenship from anyone who went to fight with IS. End of problem then, they wouldn't be British!

[Workingman]

Apologies, Nanna, it was not intended to scare.

There could be plenty of positives if all sides are adult enough to see them. A combined action could even bring the end of the civil war closer. There would no doubt be plenty of horse-trading about elections and who could take part, but if the will is there, who knows?

At the moment I would like to hear the US asking the Russians if there was any way to work together, rather than criticising every move as if their way was the only way. It has not turned out like that so far.

[Workingman]

Suff, I use a text pad to compose VV posts so I missed your reply even though I had the post form open.

With regards to tactical info it will not be a one-way street. We will learn from them as they will from us, but it is in a limited theatre - there will be no great advantage for either side. We are talking technologically advanced forces up against groups of ragamuffins with limited tech and command and control. IS has no air force or army to speak of, and certainly no navy.

A combined strike could wipe IS out in days: weeks. A message would have been sent to other groups.

[Workingman]

I seee that having turned down Russia's Sergei Lavrov's wishes to talk John Kerry of the US is now seeking military-to-military talks with Russia.

Oh, and it is all being presented as if it is a US initiative.

[victor]

at least the Russians have the B+lls to get on with it unlike the rest of them