US-Turkish Military Operation in N Syria Would be de Facto an Invasion
The US and Turkey have announced an (military invasion) operation aimed at maintaining control over the last 98 kilometers of the Turkish-Syrian border, between Jarabulus and Afrin; this area overlaps with the primary corridor through which Islamists, including ISIL and al-Nusra receive weapons and fighters, Tony Cartalucci underscores.
In
contrast to its vows to "defeat ISIL," the actions of the US-led
anti-ISIL coalition demonstrate a desire to preserve the terrorist
group, Bangkok-based geopolitical analyst Tony Cartalucci notes.
Meanwhile,
Russia and the Syrian Arab Army have almost sealed up the corridor
themselves. In its turn NATO is at pains to implement a partial
occupation of Syria. According to the analyst, the race is nearly
over now.
"Its [NATO's] feigned 'war on ISIS' helped open
the door to the recent Russian military intervention. With Russia's
entry into the war, the West can no longer afford to drag out its
nonexistent operations against ISIS [ISIL], hoping for an opportunity
to finally divide and destroy the country," Cartalucci writes in his
recent piece for New Eastern Outlook.
Cartalucci points out that the terrorist attack in Paris has given
NATO a "strong hand" and will most likely help the US and Turkey justify
their upcoming military operation in northern Syria.
However, "the fact that the US and Turkey are seeking to secure Turkey's border with Syria from the Syrian side instead of within NATO territory itself, reveals the true nature of this unfolding conflict," the analyst remarks, adding that the operation will be de facto an invasion of Syria by NATO.
Western officials insist that the operation would cut off one of ISIL's lifelines. Surprisingly, for a few years they remained suspiciously silent on the flow of arms, fighters and money which have been flowing to the Islamic State through Turkey.
However, "the fact that the US and Turkey are seeking to secure Turkey's border with Syria from the Syrian side instead of within NATO territory itself, reveals the true nature of this unfolding conflict," the analyst remarks, adding that the operation will be de facto an invasion of Syria by NATO.
Western officials insist that the operation would cut off one of ISIL's lifelines. Surprisingly, for a few years they remained suspiciously silent on the flow of arms, fighters and money which have been flowing to the Islamic State through Turkey.
"All of the Paris attackers, likewise, passed
through Turkey on their way to train, arm, and fight in Syria, and then
through Turkey again on their way back to Europe. The tons of weapons
and hundreds of fighters shipped covertly to Syria by the US in the
Libyan terrorist capital of Benghazi also arrived first in Turkish ports
before proceeding on, apparently with the knowledge and cooperation
of the Turkish government," Cartalucci stresses.
In this light, if one really wants to cut off ISIL's lifelines, he should start doing this in Turkey, the analyst suggests.
Much in the same manner Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf realms
have been supporting and funding terrorism in Syria and Iraq since the
very beginning of the Syrian war. The Gulf States also constitute the
"source" of ISIL, Cartalucci points out.
However, none of these states were sanctioned for their illicit activities. Instead, major Western powers were concluding lucrative weapons deals with the Gulf monarchies.
"Fighting ISIS [ISIL] at its source, for the West, means putting the blade to its own throat," the analyst stresses.
However, none of these states were sanctioned for their illicit activities. Instead, major Western powers were concluding lucrative weapons deals with the Gulf monarchies.
"Fighting ISIS [ISIL] at its source, for the West, means putting the blade to its own throat," the analyst stresses.
According to Cartalucci, Western governments are "clearly
responsible" for the rise of the Islamic State. The notorious Islamist
group has emerged not just as a mere consequence of the West's action or
inaction: the group has been created though the intentional effort
of the Western political establishment. Western policymakers plan to use
Islamists as a "formidable proxy army" in the Middle East, North Africa
and beyond, Cartalucci believes.
The idea to create an Islamist army is not a new one, Cartalucci
remarks, referring to the US-Saudi collaboration with Islamic radicals
in Afghanistan in the 1980s and British Empire's use of Wahhabi fanatics
in its war against the Ottoman Empire over a century ago.
"ISIS [ISIL] is not only destined to divide and
destroy Syria and Iraq. If the West has its way, the terrorist
organization is destined to move into Iran, the Caucasus region
of southern Russia, and Central Asia next," he predicts.
"When the West calls this a 'long war,' they
mean it. And it will be longer still until the people of the West
realize their governments aren't waging a 'War on Terror,' they are
waging a 'War of Terror'," the geopolitical analyst emphasizes.
