US journalist beheaded by ISIS...

US journalist beheaded by ISIS...

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Jimbeaux

33,791 posts

230 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
TheRealFingers99 said:
Jimbeaux said:
On a real news note, Pershmega convoys are enroute to assist Kurdish forces defending Kobani. This is a big deal. A PHer mentioned that ISIS's wanting to take Kobani seems almost an obsession. What it really is is a requirement to maintain the facade that they are somehow unstoppable, almost magical. Up until now, nothing has stopped them, they are the rockstars of the jihadi world and everyone wants to go with a winner. Defeat at Kobani would tarnish that image and slow recruitment form the "I think I might be a jihadist" down to only the "self-admitted crazy" pool of idiots.
Let's hope so. Some ISIS losses to the north of Mosul to Kurds, to the south by FSA. If Mosul can be re-taken along with Kobani ISIS will have both supply train and image issues.
I believe image issue would hurt them more at this point. They have money and manpower and could shift their attacks elsewhere that has less dedicated ground forces. Bad optics would tarnish their image and recruiting.

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Jimbeaux said:
KareemK said:
Jimbeaux said:
We had attacks by Muslim extremists on our interests long before GWII, even before GWI.
yes

Here's a clue:

http://news.sky.com/story/1362582/netanyahu-dismis...
Are you one of those that believe Arabs really give two sts about the Palestinian question? On second thought, this is O/T and perhaps you shouldn't answer.
Take it to the Israel thread if you want to play. smile

Jimbeaux

33,791 posts

230 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
TheRealFingers99 said:
Jimbeaux said:
KareemK said:
Jimbeaux said:
We had attacks by Muslim extremists on our interests long before GWII, even before GWI.
yes

Here's a clue:

http://news.sky.com/story/1362582/netanyahu-dismis...
Are you one of those that believe Arabs really give two sts about the Palestinian question? On second thought, this is O/T and perhaps you shouldn't answer.
Take it to the Israel thread if you want to play. smile
Correct; to mire in an unending circle of hell.

2013BRM

39,731 posts

283 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Jimbeaux said:
On a real news note, Pershmega convoys are enroute to assist Kurdish forces defending Kobani. This is a big deal. A PHer mentioned that ISIS's wanting to take Kobani seems almost an obsession. What it really is is a requirement to maintain the facade that they are somehow unstoppable, almost magical. Up until now, nothing has stopped them, they are the rockstars of the jihadi world and everyone wants to go with a winner. Defeat at Kobani would tarnish that image and slow recruitment form the "I think I might be a jihadist" down to only the "self-admitted crazy" pool of idiots.
Are the Pershmega Fighters a big deal then? they sound like a bunch of curry house bouncers to me

AreOut

3,658 posts

160 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
2013BRM said:
Are the Pershmega Fighters a big deal then? they sound like a bunch of curry house bouncers to me
they do but they have something regular iraqi/syrian forces don't, balls

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
2013BRM said:
Are the Pershmega Fighters a big deal then? they sound like a bunch of curry house bouncers to me
Most of the Kurdish fighters call themselves Peshmerga. It means (something like) "those who are ready to die". I doubt that the Iraqi lot are any more experienced (or any braver) than the Syrian YPG/PKK guys and girls, but they have training in heavy weapons and the weapons to back it up. YPG are lightly armed, probably little heavier than RPGs and the odd mortar. The Iraqi guys are bringing modern US anti aircraft guns (for use as anti-tank) wire guided missiles, rocket launchers, heavy artillery and I think I saw at least one tank.

Neither are folk you'd want to ps off.

Cobnapint

8,597 posts

150 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
quotequote all
TheRealFingers99 said:
Wow. Great, but frightening read. Frightening to the extent that almost nobody out there can be trusted, they all hate America, and the level of fkedupness out there is far higher than you could imagine.

Doesn't bode well.

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
quotequote all
This, I think, points up American naivety:


"I returned to the F.S.A. troops. One told me that his unit had recently traveled
to Jordan to receive training from American forces in fighting groups like the
Nusra Front.
“Really?” I said. “The Americans? I hope it was good training.”
“Certainly, very,” he replied.
The fighters stared at me. I stared at them.
After a few moments, I asked, “About this business of fighting Jebhat al
Nusra?”
“Oh, that,” one said. “We lied to the Americans about that.”" (from Padnos' account, linked above)

To treat the FSA as one, concrete, united group is nuts.

I think (but I say this as a supporter of a Kurdish state) "we" can trust the Kurds, but they'll want their quid pro quo (and better weaponry in Syria). I'm still worried about Republican reaction to supporting a Marxist "terrorist" group.

Edited by TheRealFingers99 on Saturday 1st November 16:21

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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Found this:



(Kurdish cartoon)

TLandCruiser

2,788 posts

197 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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TheRealFingers99 said:
The irony behind the extremists talking about hating Christians and the west, then wonder if they will be able to get asylum in Sweden.

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
quotequote all
Kurds re-take Zumar:



With Iraqi successes in the south, makes taking of Mosul and Sinjar more likely.

More in Haaretz.

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
quotequote all
IS Girding for Anticipated US-Kurdish Assault on Mosul

My guess, it'll be another couple of weeks.

Edited by TheRealFingers99 on Saturday 8th November 21:32

Langweilig

4,302 posts

210 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
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Jimbeaux

33,791 posts

230 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
quotequote all
1,500 more troops headed for Iraq; they will just not let their boots touch the ground.

Muntu

7,631 posts

198 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
quotequote all
Jimbeaux said:
1,500 more troops headed for Iraq; they will just not let their boots touch the ground.
If they did, then BHO would have his own new war in Iraq. Which is a shame, because he ended the last one.

Don't mention the Nobel Peace Prize hehe

Jimbeaux

33,791 posts

230 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
Muntu said:
Jimbeaux said:
1,500 more troops headed for Iraq; they will just not let their boots touch the ground.
If they did, then BHO would have his own new war in Iraq. Which is a shame, because he ended the last one.

Don't mention the Nobel Peace Prize hehe
Those "advisors" would have made a larger impact back in September but waited until after the elections. he said it was because Iraq just asked for them. I believe it was political, as many of his wartime decisions consider politics over strategy.

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
Jimbeaux said:
1,500 more troops headed for Iraq; they will just not let their boots touch the ground.
FCS. Just give the Kurds 10 M1s, 20 M2s 30 decent wire guided anti tank wotsits and lots of ammunition and it'll all be over in 3 months. Nothing more needed unless Assad gets uppity, and a reliable non-aligned friend in the ME.

2013BRM

39,731 posts

283 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
Jimbeaux said:
1,500 more troops headed for Iraq; they will just not let their boots touch the ground.
ah, hover troops