RUNNING UPDATES ON THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE - 09.12.2024
Including geopolitical issues affecting the balance of power in the ongoing end game war to establish our common future, a closely monitored prison planet or tolerance for diverse modes of governance.
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WESTERN POLITICIANS ARE PRAISING THE FALL OF THE SYRIAN STATE & TAKEOVER BY ISLAMISTS. BUT THEY WILL CERTAINLY BE DISTRAUGHT BY WHAT HAPPENS NEXT…
COLLECTIVE WEST | GLOBAL MAJORITY
ALEX CHRISTOFOROU & ALEXANDER MERCOURIS of THE DURAN: Regime change of Assad.
ALEXANDER MERCOURIS of THE DURAN: Trump Crushes Zelensky, Wants War End; Angry Zelensky Turns to Biden; Assad in Moscow, Syria Burns.
ALEX CHRISTOFOROU of THE DURAN: Assad in Russia. Biden bombs Syria. Erdogan praises PUTIN. Elensky trashes TRUMP, begs NATO entry.
PROFESSOR MOHAMMAD MARANDI: Mohammad Marandi spitting facts about the Syria War, Syrian Rebels and US backing of the war.
DUE DISSIDENCE: Assad FALLS , Israel IMMEDIATELY Capitalizes.
CHAS FREEMAN: Syria's Assad Overthrown / U.S. Bombs 75 ISIS Targets in Syria.
SYRIANA ANALYSIS: The End of Bashar al-Assad's Rule in Syria.
Why did Syria fall so fast and what happens next?
The unfolding events show the West’s willingness to use any means to achieve its strategic objectives and retain global supremacy.
With each passing day since October 7, 2023, the contours of the regional processes unfolding in the Middle East become increasingly clear. That day – a watershed moment for the entire region – left behind a multitude of questions that remain unanswered.
However, beneath this shocking event lies a series of deeper processes, steadily propelling the region toward profound transformations. Mechanisms that once seemed hidden are now becoming more apparent, revealing a deliberate design to reshape those nations that long resisted Western influence and expansion.
On the morning of December 8, the region was shaken by news that, until recently, seemed unimaginable: Damascus had fallen to the forces of opposition and terrorist groups. The Ba’ath Party’s rule under President Bashar Assad has been effectively destroyed. Assad’s disappearance and the silence from official sources only amplified the sense of irreversible change.
What happened in Syria and why?
The escalation in Idlib province that began 11 days ago has rapidly spiraled into a series of events that have dramatically transformed Syria’s situation. On December 7, armed opposition forces and fighters from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, designated a terrorist organization and banned in Russia) encircled Damascus, the nation’s capital.
By midday on December 7, panic had engulfed the city. Syrian soldiers, shedding their uniforms for civilian attire, fled the capital in haste, leaving it nearly defenseless. By nightfall, the streets of Damascus were deserted of military personnel, replaced by frightened citizens scrambling to stockpile food and flee their homes.
The events unfolding in Syria are far from coincidental; they are the result of deep-seated processes that have been building for years. This tragedy was likely predestined by a confluence of internal contradictions, external pressures, and historical missteps, collectively creating a perfect storm capable of toppling even the most entrenched regimes.
Looters ransack Iranian Embassy in Damascus (VIDEO)
Syria became a battleground for geopolitical rivalries, where external powers exploited the crisis to advance their own agendas. From Western and Arab states backing the opposition to the direct involvement of foreign actors on Syrian soil, every side pursued its own goals, further deepening the conflict. Regional players like Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Israel saw Syria’s weakening as an opportunity to bolster their own influence. Yet for years, these plans failed to materialize due to the robust support Syria received from Russia and Iran.
Economic hardships, sanctions, and a growing sense of hopelessness led many to believe that change was inevitable, even if it came at the cost of destruction.
Born in 1965 into the family of Hafez Assad, Syria’s long-time leader, Bashar had no initial ambitions for a political career, choosing instead to pursue medicine. Educated as an ophthalmologist in Damascus and later specializing in London, he was seen as a secular and educated figure, far removed from the cruder aspects of Middle Eastern politics.
Media outlets frequently reported that Assad was ready to hand over power to the opposition, although no solid evidence supported this claim. Perhaps war fatigue, personal tragedies, and the realization of inevitable transformation made him more open to compromise. The Russian Foreign Ministry recently confirmed that following negotiations with various armed factions within Syria, Assad decided to step down from the presidency, leave the country, and ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
The recent capture of Homs and the fall of Damascus marked the final act in this tragedy. Syria found itself trapped by the ambitions of external actors, with its people becoming pawns in a game where the stakes were not peace but power and resources.
Who benefits and what’s next?
The Syrian crisis is not just a localized conflict; it represents yet another element of both regional and global confrontation. It is evident that Western nations, led by the United States and its Middle Eastern allies, are backing the actions of rebels, opposition groups, and terrorist organizations. A clear indication of this is the recent interview given by HTS leader al-Julani to the American network CNN, despite the fact that HTS is officially designated as a terrorist organization by the US. This demonstrates the political support extended by Western nations, who view such groups as tools for achieving their geopolitical objectives in the region, even if it contradicts their proclaimed fight against terrorism.
Russian ships still at Tartus base – Lavrov
Western nations, spearheaded by Washington and London, have long expressed dissatisfaction with Moscow’s growing influence in the region over the past decade. Acting as a key ally of Assad and forging successful relationships with several Middle Eastern states, Russia had emerged as a critical player in this strategically vital area. Moscow’s achievements in both the military and diplomatic spheres, including its role in conflict resolution and cooperation with nations such as Türkiye, Iran, and Gulf states, deeply unsettled the West. The undermining of the Syrian regime was thus aimed at weakening Russia’s regional influence, stripping it of a key ally, and potentially ousting its military presence from Syria. While this could be seen as a blow to Moscow, it would be inaccurate to suggest that this significantly alters Russia’s broader Middle Eastern strategy or its relations with regional partners.
Washington, London, and their allies are not merely fighting to maintain control over the Middle East; they are striving to solidify their dominance on the global stage. Their actions demonstrate a willingness to use any means, including support for terrorist organizations, to achieve strategic objectives. This conflict is yet another theater of global confrontation, where the struggle for influence in the Middle East is directly tied to the West’s efforts to retain its global supremacy.
Türkiye, meanwhile, emerges as another potential beneficiary, celebrating Assad’s fall alongside opposition forces. While Ankara’s goals may currently align with those of the Syrian opposition, it is unlikely that these events unfolded in direct coordination with Türkiye. More plausibly, Ankara has reacted to the unfolding developments, seeking to portray itself as instrumental in the opposition’s success. Regardless of the specifics, this may lead to a cooling of relations between Moscow and Ankara, particularly if Türkiye is found to have played a direct role in coordinating events in Syria, violating previous agreements.
It is far too early to declare an end to Syria’s turmoil, as the experience of Libya vividly illustrates that regime change seldom leads to stability. Following Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow, Libya failed to achieve peace, descending into a landscape of bloody wars, factional conflicts, and shattered hopes for millions. The country remains divided among rival factions, each pursuing its own interests, leaving the population mired in chaos, insecurity, and the destruction of infrastructure. A similar fate may await Syria, where the fragile success of the opposition and its Western backers conceals the looming threat of protracted conflicts that could further fragment and exhaust the nation.
Assad in Moscow with family – Russian media.
The Syrian president has been granted asylum in Russia, Kremlin sources say.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been granted asylum in Russia and is currently in Moscow with his family, Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS reported on Sunday, citing Kremlin sources. The development comes as Syrian militants seized control of Damascus, effectively ending Assad’s 24-year rule.
The swift capture of the Syrian capital marks the culmination of a large-scale offensive launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Led by a former Al-Qaeda commander and previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, the group initiated a surprise offensive from the opposition-held province of Idlib in northern Syria last week. Jihadists had previously driven the Syrian Army from the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Al-Qusayr at the Lebanese border before advancing into Damascus.
“Assad, along with members of his family, has arrived in Moscow. Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds,” a source told TASS.
'Woke Terrorists' Take Over Syria: How It Happened and What’s Next - DDG & Rybar.
The Rise Of The Caliphate of Sham and Grand Emir Mohammad Al-Julani.
GEORGE GALLOWAY: COUP.
RACHEL BLEVINS - KEVORK ALMASSIAN: Syria in a New Reality After Assad Overthrow.
THE GAGGLE: Damascus Falls; Assad Leaves Syria For Moscow.
DIMITRI LASCARIS; What's next for Syria? Week In Review 8/12/2024.
The Massive Chaos In The Middle East Is Just Beginning…
GARLAND NIXON: NEOCONS PLAY CHAOS CARD - SYRIA, GEORGIA, UKRAINE, ROMANIA - EU TO SOON FLOOD WITH REFUGEES.
SEBASTIAN SAS: Trump BRAGS About Syria Falling As He Backs Zelensky.
Syria Falls to Rebranded Al-Qaeda Leader. What’s Next For Region & Resistance? w/ Elijah Magnier.
ALASTAIR CROOKE: Turkey Turns on Russia.
RAY MCGOVERN: Did Russia Give Up Syria?
Why are Israel and the US Salivating Over Syria’s Break-Up?
The situation in Syria remains complex but recent developments point to potential future scenarios, Stanislav Tarasov, a political analyst and expert on the Middle East and Caucasus region, told Sputnik.
Who will govern Syria?
It is still unclear which opposition group will dominate. Tarasov argued that if the secular opposition prevails, Syria will have a secular government. Conversely, if Islamist factions take control, the country may see a Taliban*-style leadership.
It's Too Early to Say the Syria Crisis is Close to an End – Pundit
Why are Israel and the US interested in balkanizing Syria?
Tarasov believes the odds of Syria's fragmentation are high, with potential scenarios including:
Turkiye taking control of Aleppo and Idlib
The Kurds establishing their own state with backing from Israel and the US
The rest of the country being divided into various enclaves
According to Tarasov, the US and Israel have already started implementing their plan for Syria's fragmentation, as shown by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
COLLECTIVE WEST | RUSSIA
US admits much-hyped tanks failed in Ukraine.
Kiev already retired its dwindling stock of M1 Abrams earlier this year.
A man looks at a cap[tured M1 Abrams battle tank at an exhibition in St. Petersburg, Russia, November 3, 2023.
American-made M1 Abrams tanks were “not useful” to the Ukrainian military, despite being billed as a potential “game changer” in the conflict with Russia, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has admitted.
After months of requests from Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and his officials, the White House approved the transfer of 31 M1 Abrams main battle tanks – enough to equip an entire tank battalion – to Ukraine in January 2023. President Joe Biden said the tanks would help “counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term,” while multiple US media outlets described them as a “game changer” ahead of Kiev’s planned counteroffensive against Russian forces that summer.
This was not the case, Sullivan said at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California on Saturday. Asked whether the Biden administration could have better prepared Ukraine for the counteroffensive had it supplied Kiev with more heavy weapons, he cited the Abrams tanks as an example of how not everything in America’s arsenal worked in Ukraine.
”When it comes to Abrams tanks, we sent Abrams tanks to Ukraine,” he replied. “These Abrams tank units are actually undermanned because it’s not the most useful piece of equipment for them in this fight.”
WATCH Russian drone strike US-made Abrams tank
Shortly after their deployment, the Russian Defense Ministry began releasing videos of Abrams tanks burning on the battlefield. According to some estimates, as many as 20 of the 31 tanks sent to Ukraine in 2023 have since been destroyed, and Ukrainian commanders began withdrawing the rest from service earlier this year, American officials told AP.
The M1A1 variants sent to Ukraine were first stripped of their depleted uranium armor, leaving them vulnerable to Russian drones and anti-tank missiles.
One of the heaviest main battle tanks in service worldwide, the M1 Abrams weighs in at 60 tons, with the latest M1A2 variant increasing this heft to more than 73 tons. An M1 Abrams tank costs more than $450 per mile in fuel and repairs, according to a 1991 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report adjusted for inflation.
The GAO report stated that the average M1 Abrams needs its track replaced after as little as 710 miles, with engines typically suffering catastrophic “blowouts” after 350 hours of operation.
Even before Biden authorized their delivery to Ukraine, US military officials warned that the Abrams tanks would prove unsuitable for Kiev’s needs.
READ MORE: Five Ukrainian tanks destroyed in Kursk Region – Russian MOD
“The challenge with the Abrams is, it’s expensive. It’s difficult to train on. It is very difficult to sustain. It has a huge, complicated turbine engine that requires jet fuel,” US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl warned in early January 2023. “Frankly, our assessment is just that the Abrams is not the right capability at this time.”
EUROPE | BRITAIN
SABBY SABS: France's Government COLLAPSES In Real Time.
NON-ENGLISH NEWS
LIU SIVAYA: SIRIA HA CAÍDO: ¿Y AHORA QUÉ? | RAZONES Y CONSECUENCIAS DE UNA CATÁSTROFE INTERNACIONAL ANUNCIADA.
ALEXANDRE GUERREIRO: Bashar al-Assad caiu: e a Síria?
Israel besetzt weitere Gebiete in Syrien | Die Hölle Kurakhove. Frontbericht 09.12.2024
Munjevita Ruska Ofanziva⚔️Pokrovsk u Opasnosti⚔️Časov Jar pred Padom⚔️Izrael ušao u Siriju.9.12.2024
ज़ेलेंस्की ने ट्रम्प का अपमान किया 😡🤬 रूस ने पोक्रोव्स्क में बढ़त हासिल की😱
RUSSIA
Syria's Assad And His Family In Moscow: Russian Media.
❄️ POWERFUL SNOWFALL IN MOSCOW! How Russia was decorated for Christmas and New Year 2025! 4K HDR.
MAPPING CHANNEL UPDATES
Cold War II❄️ Zelensky Insulted Trump😡🤔 Russia Builds Up Strength💪⚔️ Military Summary For 2024.12.09
KILLER FEINT BY RUSSIA; Hammer Fist formed at Pokrovsk Front | Ukraine War SITREP.
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Cold War II, Syria, Trump's Proposal Rejected, Pokrovsk Offensive. MS For 2024.12.08
Ukraine got tricked... Russia changed the entire V.Novosilka outlook... | Ukraine War Conclusions.
VICTORY BELONGS TO RUSSIA: IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
Each day that passes makes a conclusive Russian victory in the Donbass and beyond more certain. As Russia bolsters her forces, and weaponry, those of Ukraine decrease. Russian forces gain ready access to rest and recuperation as troop numbers increase. The increasingly exhausted and demoralised Ukrainian troops have an ever decreasing prospect of such respite. This situation is likely to bring them to complete breakdown as Russia unleashes the firepower of the more modern and advanced weaponry that is arriving with the newly mobilised Russian troops.
The various Ukrainian offensives are now weak when confronted by the reinforced Russian lines. A few futile efforts achieve quite miserable results before fire reigns down on the Ukrainian troops and they are forced back to their starting positions.
And now, all this being said, we have arrived at the wet, and later, freezing conditions where these pathetic Ukrainian forces will be subject to myriad forms of abject misery with death and injury all around them while they lie sodden or frozen, abandoned to their fate by Kiev.
The pitiable young and old of Ukraine have been frogmarched to their deaths as cannon-fodder while the bestial elites of the collective West urge their "president" to add more to their number there at the gates of Hell and their doom. We must feel for the majority of them as they are not the Nazis we revile, in most part they are decent men, fathers, sons, brothers, husband and uncles, who no doubt saw through the coup of 2014 for what it was. But sadly, their fate seems sealed.
Nothing will stop Russia now. Every factor favours them. Victory will be Russia's. In Donbass and beyond and in due course across the world.
Victory belongs to Russia: It is now only a matter of time.
WESTERN POLITICIANS ARE PRAISING THE FALL OF THE SYRIAN STATE & TAKEOVER BY ISLAMISTS. BUT THEY WILL CERTAINLY BE DISTRAUGHT BY WHAT HAPPENS NEXT…
