(CNN)[Breaking news update, published at 6:30 a.m. ET]
Jordan is prepared to release longtime prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi if ISIS captive and Jordanian military pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh is returned safely to Jordan, the country's state-run TV said Wednesday in a breaking-news banner, citing Jordanian Information Minister Mohammed Momani. |
Not really a surprise. Question is, will ISIS follow through with the exchange? What impact will this have on Jordan's continued involvement in fighting ISIS?
In a larger picture with ISIS taking a beating in Iraq, will it continue to expend its fighters and resources in Iraq? Or will it shift its focus back more heavily to Syria?
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Lol. New to BBI? There's something called NFT for these things. You can filter them out.
Well...this is an NFT. Just one NFT among many more NFTs on the first page alone. But thanks for your concern, brah.
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People's passions run high when it comes to politics and I don't think this is what Eric had in mind when he started this website. Shit, most people don't know what the fuck they're talking about anyway.
It's bad enough the Rangers can't beat the Islanders. And don't we get enough politics shoved down our throats anyway.
While I don't like to use numbers as any form of measure of effectiveness, ISIS has lost a lot of fighters and equipment (something in the area of 5000+ fighters). It can be argued that ISIS still maintains control over large areas, but most of that is open/uninhabited grounds that Iraqi government isn't going to go after. ISIS fighters operating in areas that have been contested have been pushed back or eliminated.
Also, while Kobani is in Syria, ISIS wasn't able to hold that city either. And while still a dangerous threat, ISIS is no longer seen as the military might as it was just a few months ago.
People's passions run high when it comes to politics and I don't think this is what Eric had in mind when he started this website. Shit, most people don't know what the fuck they're talking about anyway.
It's bad enough the Rangers can't beat the Islanders. And don't we get enough politics shoved down our throats anyway.
Not sure where anyone is shoving politics down your throat so far. We can always preemptively delete or not even start threads for the fear of something becoming political, but vast majority of posters in these threads contribute great insights or even questions that get people to think.
If you don't want politics shoved down your throat, then do yourself a favor by not clicking on the thread. It's about self control.
And if you haven't noticed, there are only so many football-related threads that you can read on BBI during offseason that aren't redundant or just outright stupid. Some people (myself particularly) enjoy the distraction of discussing and learning about current events.
So you started a political discussion. What does that have to do with a current events discussion that isn't meant to be a political discussion? Because you can't refrain from starting one doesn't mean others can't enjoy NFTs.
Are you serious? Discussing world events is a staple here. If it evolves into Republican vs Democrat it will be deleted. This site has a lot of value in addition to Giants talk. There's always the "don't click on it" option for you
Military does not always equal political. Sometimes they may unavoidably blend in, but we do our best not to make it "political" in the pejorative sense of the term. Just like talking about the blizzard involves politics, closings, states of emergency.
B. "Shit, most people don't know what the fuck they're talking about anyway."
Im with you there.
Same here..
However, actually being able to discuss the current event with others with varying perspective is something you can't do outside of forums. And since I don't use any other forums and have gotten to know many BBI posters since 2000, I choose to discuss these topics here. Whenever we have anything international affairs related or economy or military, many posters with great insights contribute knowledge to help all of us out. Don't see how that is a bad thing.
And yes, trolls will be trolls. But most of us can identify and ignore them.
Which, ...is frustrating since the Al Queda and Jihadis and ISIS alignment would probably be an existential threat to Israel (much more so even than Iran if you measured on actual intent and willingness to pull the trigger as opposed to rhetoric, threats and positioning)
while, Hezbollah could (a remote possibility however, much more so than ISIS) one day grow into a 'frenemy' since they are in a struggle with the Jihadis as well.
Netenyahu is looking radically out of touch here, borderline dumb -ass.
That said, I heard the Kobani news yesterday. Almost 1000 ISIS fighters reported as KIA. I'm not sure at what rate new fighters continue to flow in from other countries however to support them.
Which, ...is frustrating since the Al Queda and Jihadis and ISIS alignment would probably be an existential threat to Israel (much more so even than Iran if you measured on actual intent and willingness to pull the trigger as opposed to rhetoric, threats and positioning)
while, Hezbollah could (a remote possibility however, much more so than ISIS) one day grow into a 'frenemy' since they are in a struggle with the Jihadis as well.
Netenyahu is looking radically out of touch here, borderline dumb -ass.
I am no fan of Netenyahu but you don't know what you're talking about. Right now ISIS is concerned with fighting the Shiites. They are not concerned with Israel. Even the ISIS pledges they caught in Hebron were headed to Syria. Hezbollah is a real and current threat on Israels border. Iran is an outspoken enemy of Israel. There is no chance of peace with Hezbollah, ever.
I will never understand for the life of me, why some people will take the time to make a negative post in a thread they claim they don't want to read
a) Hezbollah / Iranian actions and intentions, as a semi state (Hezbollah) and a State (Iran) both with vested interest in retaining borders and infrastructure and long histories of unfriendly albeit not outright war with the Israelis
as opposed to the
b) Sunni AlQueda and affiliated ISIS -school of- Jihadis. who, it seems to an outsider, are much more dedicated to their ideology, (as opposed to using it -relatively- crassly to preserve status quo rackets in -country such as with the Shiites) and it would appear , the extremist within the Sunnis, being relatively much more liable to execute real horror.
not to mention, the USA is at war with ISIS/Al Queda, not with Iran....as are Hezbollah, also at war vs Al Queda......so.....
You are right. I agree that "taking a beating" is bit of an overstatement. Should be more ISIS capabilities and numbers have been impacted by ongoing coalition operations.
Glad that you admit your seemingly hero worship of the Kurds in almost every post you make regarding this topic...:)
And while Iraqi Army as it stands now hasn't lived up to the time and resources we've put in (mainly due to the Iraqi government really messing it up since our departure), prior to our departure, many of the units were more than effective in conducting military operations. And since they are the military force of the actual government that we're still supporting and have been in partner with, you can't just cut them out for the sake of the Kurds. This really isn't a military issue as much as government issue with regards to who we support with additional resources for the military.
Dont let the tactical preclude the strategic.
also- Hez backed by Iran has had war conflicts with Israel, ok, but also had shared a border for years without open war.
Iran- wants nukes.
Al Quada- would actually use them.
Hero worship? Heh....I admire people who fight so passionately for their people against such long odds and with such middling international support. I suppose I'm too much of an idealist, but while I recognize the utility of realpolitik I also believe strongly in rewarding those who actually deserve to be rewarded. The Kurds aren't perfect, but they are for the most part a tolerant, civilized society in a barbaric part of the world. Consigning them to be vassals of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and the country formerly known as Syria because of the vagaries of cartography in the waning days of the British Empire just doesn't seem fair.
Netenyahu should have reached out to Hez even last year:
As an American, we have seen that Al Queda really means it.
And, the facts speak for themselves, the Hezbollah has shared a border with Israel, and don't remember when the last time it broke into open war was.
As an American, we are at war with Al Queda / ISIS, not with hezbollah nor with Iran, not without reason.
Netenyahu is an idiot.
Hero worship? Heh....I admire people who fight so passionately for their people against such long odds and with such middling international support. I suppose I'm too much of an idealist, but while I recognize the utility of realpolitik I also believe strongly in rewarding those who actually deserve to be rewarded. The Kurds aren't perfect, but they are for the most part a tolerant, civilized society in a barbaric part of the world. Consigning them to be vassals of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and the country formerly known as Syria because of the vagaries of cartography in the waning days of the British Empire just doesn't seem fair.
I hope you didn't take my response as disagree with you on the larger topic. You are absolutely correct about the Kurds. And you know I give you hard time because you're just so damn predictable with this...;)
As far as the Iraqi Army goes, you are also correct when it comes to the corruption at the higher level trickling down to the lowest of jundies to make them 1) not give a shit about anyone beyond their own sect/tribes and 2) less than well trained. And while you are correct in that it was mainly the advising and leadership of our advisors on the ground that made the Iraqi Army at all effective, they do have the capacity to once again be that way (I've seen more bravery and fighting skills by Iraqi jundies than most people like to give them credit for). It really will come down to the Iraqi government allowing the army to become what it can be.
As Sgrcts pointed out, annhilation of Israel is Hezbollah's raison d'etre. It's written into their charter. As far as the last time there was open war, that would be 2006.
As an American, we have seen that Al Queda really means it.
And, the facts speak for themselves, the Hezbollah has shared a border with Israel, and don't remember when the last time it broke into open war was.
As an American, we are at war with Al Queda / ISIS, not with hezbollah nor with Iran, not without reason.
Netenyahu is an idiot.
Israel is not America, so what does what you just stated have to do with anything?
And you are right, the facts DO speak for themselves. Hezbollah has the destruction of Israel as its primary goal, and ISIS has not paid any attention to Israel(never mind the fact that ISIS would get STEAMROLLED by the IDF).
You don't remember the last time there was a war with Hezbollah? How about a huge one in 2006? How about constant border skirmishes for the last, I don't know, 50+ years between Israel and Lebanon?
How about doing even a LITTLE bit of research?
and again for the third time, the USA is -at war- with ISIS/AQ...as is hezbollah.
we are not at war with Iran or Hezbollah, israel is our ally, and this spit fight has been months in the making.
Grab a cold shower stat.
Grab a cold shower stat.
For the record...I wasn't asking because I wanted to get into an argument or deride you. Since the whole hacking incident, people have been using new handles, so I ask that to others as well.
But hey...if it hit a nerve, my bad.
People here dont get the whole symmetry thing.
Hey, I wish peace on Israel! However, I take the American point of view to a strong degree.
And- my handle - it is 'IDIOT savant.'.....the nimbies may pick my details apart, however, they are almost always wrong on the bigger picture.
You are a useless human being (blueblood).
People here dont get the whole symmetry thing.
Hey, I wish peace on Israel! However, I take the American point of view to a strong degree.
And- my handle - it is 'IDIOT savant.'.....the nimbies may pick my details apart, however, they are almost always wrong on the bigger picture.
Thats funny coming from a guy who is as off base on this topic as maybe anything I've ever read.
and again for the third time, the USA is -at war- with ISIS/AQ...as is hezbollah.
we are not at war with Iran or Hezbollah, israel is our ally, and this spit fight has been months in the making.
Israel is Americas ally, but Israel is its own country. Israel should make peace with a group whose existence depends on the destruction of Israel and who has been basically at war with Israel since its inception to make America happy?
Even if you take the thoughtless idea that Israel would make peace with Hezbollah, are you that unaware that Hezbollah has NO, ZERO, NO interest in peace with Israel?
Quote:
Your posting seems familiar. What was your previous handle?
Rich n Houston.
Is it really?
Dont know if there is any truth at all, but a talking head on French TV said something to the effect that
''40% of Israelis thought that Netanyahus January 16th bombing of Hezbollah related targets was at least in part an attempt to build vote support prior to a coming snap and close election, as Netenyahus party does well during a military action time.';'
(probably I should not repeat shit that may not be true)
Do not lump me in with Israel haters, I want peace there, and I have no love for Hezbollah.
Its just, you can bet this complicates things that the USA is trying to do in that region, and he could have literally been told to 'cool his jets for a bit.'
Quote:
Your posting seems familiar. What was your previous handle?
Rich n Houston.
Doubt it. My money's on alligatorpie or whatever it was.
Dont know if there is any truth at all, but a talking head on French TV said something to the effect that
''40% of Israelis thought that Netanyahus January 16th bombing of Hezbollah related targets was at least in part an attempt to build vote support prior to a coming snap and close election, as Netenyahus party does well during a military action time.';'
(probably I should not repeat shit that may not be true)
Do not lump me in with Israel haters, I want peace there, and I have no love for Hezbollah.
Its just, you can bet this complicates things that the USA is trying to do in that region, and he could have literally been told to 'cool his jets for a bit.'
I have no doubt this might be true, and I have especially no doubt that a large portion of Israeli society thinks this. However, that still has zero to do with your initial point of Israel making peace with Hezbollah, which is a literal impossibility.