Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama has broken yet another promise: "No shoes of an American soldier set foot on Syrian soil", he said a few months ago.
And now he announced that the American coalition - including one of the divisions of the United States - to begin ground operations in Syria and Iraq.
What made the American president renege his oath?

January 22, 2016, 21:50
Photo: Ints Kalnins / Reuters
Text: Catherine Neroznikova

Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama has broken yet another promise. "No shoes of an American soldier set foot on Syrian soil", he argued a few months ago. And now he announced that the American coalition - including one of the divisions of the United States - is to begin ground operations in Syria and Iraq. What made the American president renege?

The coalition led by the United States changes its tactics and involves ground troops to fight "Islamic state" in Syria and Iraq, said Friday the US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. "We did a lot, because we have a lot to do because we have to win the ISIL. I am sure we will succeed, but I want to speed up this process, "- said Carter in the TV channel CNBC, explaining the need for a ground operation.

The Pentagon chief also said that the use of ground forces is part of a strategy to combat the ISIL. Carter outlined the towns that need to be recaptured from the militants in the first place - a Syrian and an Iraqi towns Raqqa to Mosul.

Down to earth

Who exactly will go to Iraq, it has already been decided, by the head of the Pentagon. "Soldiers of the legendary 101st Airborne Division will be deployed in Iraq to come to grips with LIH" - Carter wrote in an article published in Politico. The military will act "in accordance with a clear plan of the campaign, which will provide a decisive defeat this barbaric organization" convinced Carter. The division participated in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and then was based in Mosul. The decision was coordinated with the military leadership of the US and allies, in particular with France, added Carter.

He also addressed criticism to other countries within the coalition. "Many of them (coalition members) are not doing anything or not doing enough - he said. - We (the US) will always be leaders with the strongest army, we can do a lot, but we need the other (the allies) "- quoted Carter TASS. "I wish that Turkey has done more," - he added.

While not reported, whether the United States made a formal request for the land military operations in Iraq and Syria. With regard to the attacks the United States and its allies from the air, in fact they are produced in violation of international law, and what to talk about Russia. Thus, Russia's permanent representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin noted that Americans "refer to Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations' right to self-defense," but bombing a sovereign state without the consent of the government. " Recall that, unlike the United States, Russia began to strike positions in Syria after the IG requested by the government of that country.

Currently American coalition activities are mainly limited to attacks from the air, the presence of ground troops slightly. In Iraq, for example, operate the US military instructors to military units, composed of local residents. In Syria in late November came 50 military trainers from the US Special Forces, who, according to the Pentagon, also had to do the training squads of Kurdish self-defense.

Sending a group of US commandos caused extreme discontent in Damascus. So, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad called the actions of the United States in flagrant violation of the territorial integrity. "We do not believe that they are sincere in any action in the fight against terrorism. They do not coordinate their activities with the Armed Forces of Syria. In this regard, any violation of international law makes these forces (US Army) illegal in the territory of the SAR. You can not say that they are fighting terrorism ", - he declared.

I agreed with him Syria's permanent representative to the UN, Bashar Jaafari. "Sending any state of its troops to Syria to fight against the IG or training local forces to fight the IG without the consent of the Syrian government is a serious violation of the UN Charter and international law that prescribe the principle of respect for sovereignty," - he said.

The current initiative of the United States also regarded as illegal Damascus, said the ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad. "Any interference in the affairs of Syria, without the consent of the government official is considered an aggression against the Syrian people," - reports the words "Interfax".

Controversial Obama

President Barack Obama has repeatedly stated that the US is not going to get involved in new large-scale war. In August, he promised that "no shoes American soldier set foot on Syrian soil." Thus, during the address to the nation on December 7, Obama said that the invasion of Syria and Iraq would lead "to the death of thousands of troops and resources to the withers," and "this is what they want" Islamic state. "

Soon, however, in his annual address to Congress, he stated the need to change the strategy in the fight against "Islamic state." "If the convening of the Congress is serious respect in order to win this war, and wants to send a signal to our troops and to the world, you have to finally authorize the use of military force against the IG," - he said on January 13.

Note that, on the basis of the War Powers Act, the US president has the right to use troops abroad for 60 days without a formal declaration of war to another state. The declaration of war is a prerogative of Congress.

In carrying out ground operations in Syria insist the representatives of the US Congress, the brightest of them - Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham. The strategy of gradual intervention mentioned by Barack Obama, is constantly criticized by them. US should triple the military contingent in Iraq and send the same force in Syria, they declared on 30 November. "The only way to destroy the Caliphate - a ground operation - said Graham, to back up their arguments the threat of terrorist attacks has become more realistic after the attacks in Paris. - The air campaign has no appreciable effect on the war. "

Graham even proposed a specific plan of military operations. He suggested that Syria should invade 100,000th grouping of forces of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey with the support of 10 thousand US military advisers and instructors. John McCain before the proposed joint intervention by US troops and the Arab countries of Syria. We know that Senator McCain has strong ties in the highest circles in Saudi Arabia.

Last victory

Barack Obama will soon leave his post, and he would like to finish his time a resounding victory over the "Islamic state", the director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East and Central Asia Semen Bagdasarov. The situation is favorable for it created.

"There are two theater. On one of them a key target is the city of Mosul, which the Iraqi army itself can not take, and peshrmerga can only provide security on the approaches, and the Shiite militia are afraid to let go, because it can inflict in Mosul excesses. In these circumstances, the use of American military airborne division may lead to the taking of the city, "- said Bagdasarov.

In Syria the key theater of war the city, according to the interlocutor, is Raqqa. "He could have taken the Kurds, supported by US aircraft. Kurds now control the town less than 50 kilometers away. But they did not burn desire to storm the Raqqa, because there are a lot of Arab Bedouin tribes opposed to the Kurds, "- says the expert.

If the Americans take Mosul and Raqqa, it will be a significant military and political victory for America, said Bagdasarov. "And all created for this" - he added.

As for the need to coordinate military operations with the government or international organizations, the Bagdasarov said that the US would not worry about it. "With whom to coordinate with the UN Security Council? Who thinks of something? For a long time it is necessary to forget about it, it's more a theatrical performance. If there is power, ignore it all, "- he stated the source.

Realpolitik

Solution voiced Carter, may affect the reputation of the Democratic Party, says political analyst Boris Americanist Mezhuev. "But Mr. Carter is not very exciting. He acts in a way as if linked his fate with the opposite party "- he said in an interview with the newspaper VIEW. It recalls that it was in the ranks of the Republican Party in the main opinion of the need to ground operation.

Carter looks mainly at the Congress, which is easily approved his candidacy, in contrast to his predecessor, recalled Mezhuev. "I do not exclude that he hopes to maintain his position in the new administration, if the Republicans come to power. Perhaps even his statement was not agreed, "- he suggested.

For Obama, it is a blow - he promised to another, said Mezhuev. "The main objective - to stop the war - is not solved. Obama was completely untenable. The situation in the Middle East, boasting nothing special "- says the expert. In domestic policy, when there have been positive changes, but in the foreign reserves it all in the worst form than when he "took the case."

The decision to conduct a ground operation will be greeted negatively by voters, said Mezhuev. The anti-war public sentiment prevail, he said. In contrast to the mood in Congress. "Congress has to reckon with public opinion, but the people who pay money - the sponsors usually pretty much set the opposite way. Important role played by Israel and other Middle Eastern lobbies and military-industrial complex. " Production of more attuned to the war, he says, which explains the statements of many congressmen.

In addition to internal difficulties faced by the administration of the President and the Congress, there are real policy, said Mezhuev. "You can not really fight against terrorism is only bombing. And if you want to really prove its leadership by showing that America is the main thing here is not enough to look at it only from the slots bomber ", - he explains.

Source:
http://www.vzglyad.ru/world/2016/1/22/790082.html

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Iraq, supermarket: the is US selling 16,000 laser-guided bombs for two billion dollars

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/iraq-supermarket-gli-usa-vendono-16-mila-bombe-guida-laser-due-miliardi-di-dollari

(Franco Iacch)
21/01/16

The Obama administration has approved a massive sale of thousands of guided bombs and missiles for the new F-16 Iraq. The value of the contract exceeds two billion dollars.

The agreement includes 16,000 laser-guided bombs and air-to-air Sidewinder missiles 24 which, in theory, could be used to shoot down the drones of the Islamic state.

In the contract, even a supply of Helmet-Mounted Display, viewers that allow the pilot to frame the target "on sight".

Iraq badly needs these weapons - written by the Pentagon - will be a supply essential to ensure the full functioning of the fighters that will protect the country from the current and future threats.

Iraq has purchased 36 F-16 in 2011. Built by Lockheed Martin, in Texas, the first four aircraft have been delivered to Iraq last July.

The air campaign of loyalist government with the F-16 has officially begun last September.

The Air Force continues to train Iraqi pilots in Arizona. One of the fighters crashed the draft in June, the Iraqi pilot died at the controls.

(Photo: US DoD)

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