by Stephen Lendman

What a difference a few days made! The Middle East dynamic changed dramatically. Russia’s intervention against ISIS in Syria has Obama officials scrambling for what to do next. The “empire” took a stunning body blow. It’s just the beginning.

The administration’s phony war on ISIS is increasingly transparent. Now in its 9th day, Russian air power accomplished what Washington never attempted, waging REAL war on all terrorist elements in Syria, destroying their weapons, munitions and facilities, even their will to fight with thousands fleeing for safe havens, supplemented by Syrian ground forces battling them more effectively than ever, regaining lost territory.

America’s anti-Russian strategy since replacing Ukraine’s democratic government with Nazi-infested fascists includes counterproductive sanctions, ineffective propaganda, fear-mongering, saber-rattling military exercises close to its borders and deploying increasing numbers of US troops in Eastern Europe - provocations risking direct confrontation.

Instead of cooperating with Russia against the scourge of terrorism, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter ruled it out, saying:

“We are not prepared to cooperate in a strategy, which as we explained, is flawed - tragically flawed - on the Russians' part,” - code language reflecting Washington’s fear that it’s Greater Middle East agenda is jeopardized, a scheme to dominate North African, Middle East and Central Asian countries to Russian and Chinese borders, then targeting Moscow and Beijing for regime change.

Carter continued, adding “(d)espite what the Russians say, we have not agreed to cooperate with Russia so long as they continue to pursue a mistaken strategy and hit these targets.”

"What we will do is continue basic, technical discussions on professional safety procedures for our pilots flying (over) Syria. That is it.”

“We will keep the channel open because it is a matter of security and safety for our pilots,” - more code language, reflecting US intentions to pressure Putin to abandon his righteous mission, a worthless effort with no chance of succeeding.

Russia faces a potential serious homeland terrorist threat. A same day article discussed US involvement in recruiting and training ISIS elements in Afghanistan - intending to infest Central Asia with their fighters, like now in Syria and Iraq.

Putin’s involvement in Syria with perhaps Iraq to follow aims to deliver a death blow to its regional presence - perhaps targeting its Central Asian elements to follow, his objective to keep ISIS and related groups from infesting Russia.

He’s committed to a vital mission. No amount of US pressure or threats will deter him. The stakes are too high.

NATO defense ministers are meeting in Brussels on Thursday, discussing how to respond to Russia upsetting their plans, unsure what to do, facing a real challenge for the first time.

Maybe they’ll order more troop deployments to Eastern Europe and hold larger-scale military exercises. “NATO is ready and able to defend all allies against all threats,” Jens Stoltenberg blustered.

Defense News reported US Navy Capt. Jeff Davis saying so-called “coalition” aircraft were rerouted to avoid close encounters with Russian planes - to keep a safe separation distance.

The Washington Post said Russia’s intervention “fundamentally chang(ed)” the dynamic in Syria. The Wall Street Journal bashed Putin, claiming he’s “tak(ing) a page from his Ukraine playbook (and) keeping the West guessing about his plans.”

The New York Times featured the Big Lie about Putin targeting (nonexistent) moderate anti-Assad elements, not ISIS, and propping up Assad.

Reliable Sputnik News quoted Syria’s ambassador to Russia, Riad Haddad, saying in one week, Russian aircraft destroyed “about 40 percent” of ISIS’ infrastructure, along with killing “a lot of terrorists.”

Many are retreating in disarray. Writing for Sputnik News, Paul Craig Roberts quoted Putin, saying: “We can no longer tolerate the state of affairs in the world,” - sounding very much like he’s saying the days of Washington pushing everyone around are over. He drew a red line not to be crossed.

Enough is enough so he’s acting, mainly to preserve and protect Russian sovereignty, as well as the safety and welfare of its people.

That’s what leaders are elected to do - not wage endless wars of aggression along with enforcing ruthless state terror worldwide. Putin asked Washington: “Do you realize what you have done?”

Roberts said his intervention in Syria (with perhaps Iraq and Central Asia to follow) may have “launched a revolution that will overthrow the world’s subservience to Washington.”

US officials “rel(y) on (an) arsenal of lies,” supported by presstitute “disinformation.” A nation reflecting pure evil portrays itself as exceptional - ignoring rule of law principles, deploring peace, attacking one nation after another, enforcing police state harshness at home, and handing America’s wealth to Wall Street crooks, other corporate favorites and billionaires.

“The breakup of the Empire is on the horizon,” said Roberts. Putin’s righteous mission may have hastened it.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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