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22 Russian warships headed to the Med?

Pics via English Russia...

As being reported in Russian media, there are currently over twenty Russian warships and battleships in the Mediterranean Sea. Most of those already relocated to its Eastern part - same where Syria is, and probably heading to the country. Here is the whole list and description of the armada in action.

Here. 

A Russian pivot to the Med?  I'm not sure but this looks like they're reassembling the old fleet (concept) that prowled those waters back during the 70's and 80's.

Nothing to see here though.  Ignore the fact that the Israeli PM, Defense and Intel chiefs headed to Moscow instead of Washington, Paris, London or Berlin.  Don't believe your lying eyes when you see Russian Air and Sea bases being built on the Syrian coast.  Dismiss the thought that Russian Marines are setting up defensive positions in Syria to protect the Assad regime....and ignore the fact that the Iranians already have the Quds force on the ground support Syrian forces.

Yeah.  Ignore all that and believe that our strategy is working to perfection.  Sarcasm off.  We're getting outfoxed at every turn.

Russia is the new powerbroker in the Middle East...Netanyahu brings both IDF chief and intelligence head to Russia

Thanks to Maurice for the link!

via Times of Israel

Both IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot and Military Intelligence Head Maj. Gen. Herzl “Hertzi” Halevi are accompanying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the movement of Russian troops into Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his advisers.
The presence of either one of these generals on this trip would be notable in itself. That both are traveling with Netanyahu is meant to demonstrate to both the people of Israel and the government of Russia the gravity of the situation on Israel’s northern border and the IDF’s intention to keep up airstrikes on high-priority Hezbollah targets in Syria.
Israel has admitted to targeting several Hezbollah and Syrian weapons facilities and convoys in the past several years, and it has beenassumed that the Israel Air Force has carried out many more, despite officials’ refusal to claim responsibility.

Here. 

This whole situation circles back to the Iranian Nuke Deal.  All of our "partners" in the region were publicly supportive (except for Israel, the PM was vilified for giving voice to the concerns of the region) but privately they were freaking out.

Between the nuke deal, a pathetic war on ISIS, the desire to leave the region and policy failure around the region, a power vacuum was created.

Russia is filling that vacuum and the Israeli's are simply dancing to the new music.

Consider this.  If we can see this part of the puzzle then what's going on behind the scenes?  Our influence in the region is now zero.  We are looking at a total collapse of our Middle East strategy.

Red Arrows fly with Vulcan Bomber for final time...

via RAF Tumblr Page.

Challenger 2 MBT facing upgrades or a replacement..

via Janes.

Key Points

• The UK is looking at upgrade or replacement options for its current Challenger 2 MBT

• The effort has partly been prompted by the unveiling of Russia's new-generation T-14 Armata MBT in May

Senior British Army officers and procurement officials are examining the future of the BAE Systems Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT), including possibly buying a new vehicle.

Here. 

I was told by many that the Armata wasn't worthy of concern and that current Western tanks could more than hold their own against it.

Western militaries appear to have a different view.

Not telling you that I told ya so, but I told ya so.  The armor race is in full effect.  Love them or hate them but the Russians changed the game and now everyone else is scrambling to catch up.

Saudi Arabia/GCC armor continues to get taken apart by the Houthis...

Thanks to MicMac80 for the link!



Wow.  That missile launch had to have taken place from closer than 50 yards away....I'm thinking RPG.  We don't know the aftermath but I'm guessing that the M-113 was wrecked and the Brad got away.  Regardless this is looking so bad for Saudi Arabia/GCC.  Their armor continues to get taken apart by the Houthis.

I wonder if CENTCOM is running scenarios of what would happen if Yemen with Iranian help prevails in this fight and then goes on the offensive....meaning a push into Saudi Arabia?

Turkey is waging a proxy war with China? China could enter the Syrian conflict????

via Times of Israel...

With Erdogan waging an Islamist proxy war on China, Kurds, Assad, Sisi, Netanyahu via Al Qaeda affiliates, Army of Conquest, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, it is no wonder Syria and Egypt both applied to join the China-led SCO in June this year.
Thus Syria and China both share threats from the Army of Conquest that is attacking Assad and China’s Xinjiang. As Peter Lee noted, it is also worrying for the Chinese that when Palestinian President Abbas visited Erdogan’s new presidential palace in January 2015, the honor guards of 16 soldiers dressed in historical warrior costumes included a Uyghur.

Then this...

A new article reported that 3,500 Uyghurs are settling in a village near Jisr-al Shagour that was just taken from Assad, close to the stronghold of Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) that is in the Turkey-backed Army of Conquest. They are allegedly under the supervision of Turkish intelligence that has been accused of supplying fake passports to recruit Chinese Uyghurs to wage jihad in Syria.

Here. 

GEEZ!  Everytime I think I have a handle on the players in this conflict, I come to the realization that this is a big rotting, puss filled onion with many layers.

If China (and I realize that its a HUGE IF) does enter the conflict on the side of Russia/Syria/Iran then all bets are off.

But the bigger issue to me is Turkey.

If even half of what I've read is true then they need to be dealt with before we make another move in the region.  Again I point to the CENTCOM Commander and the SecState.  Its time for them to go public on the real issues with this fight.

Canada's liberal party states that they will kill the F-35!

via CBCNews.

The Liberal Party will scrap the Conservatives' troubled F-35 fighter jet program should they assume government, Leader Justin Trudeau announced in Halifax today.
"Our Canadian Forces are in a state of stagnation," Trudeau said to a crowd of supporters at Pier 21 in Halifax, home to the Canadian Museum of Immigration.
In its place, the Liberals said they would launch an "open and transparent competition" to buy more affordable planes to replace Canada's aging CF-18 jets. Trudeau said the money saved by scrapping the F-35 procurement would go primarily to increasing spending on the Royal Canadian Navy.
The primary mission of our fighter aircraft, Trudeau said, is the defence of North America.

Here.

Isn't it interesting.

The affordable, advanced, and game changing fighter is now a major issue in an partner country's election process.  Additionally it can be claimed that by supporting the F-35, the Conservative party is jeopardizing their majority.

Wouldn't it be a kick in the ass to be able to say that the plane is such a mess that its toppled a govt?  Next time we want regime change just send F-35's...not to bomb the enemy but as a gift to their military!

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