Stratfor predicts Turkey will attempt a major invasion of Syria and Iraq in 2016

[another_liberal]

The Texas-based think tank, Stratfor (often called the "Shadow CIA&quot has released a prediction that President Erdogan's Turkey will stage a major invasion and occupation of Syrian territory sometime next year. The right wing intelligence company is also of the opinion that the United States military will facilitate the Turkish efforts. I guess if the Pentagon can't get Americans to support their desire to invade Syria, they will just get someone else to do it for a salary.

Turkish President Erdogan (Reuters)


'Shadow CIA' 2016 Forecast: Turkey Set to Make a 'Military Move' Into Syria


Having tightened its grip on power this fall, the AKP, Turkey's ruling party, will become increasingly assertive in its foreign policy in 2016. Ankara's resurgence, according to Stratfor, will be reflected in a military operation in northern Syria, as well as a widening rift with Russia - a direct result of Erdogan's policies.

"This is the year when Turkey, nervous but more politically coherent than it was last year, will likely make a military move into northern Syria while trying to enlarge its footprint in northern Iraq," the Texas-based think tank noted in its forecast for 2016.

The intelligence company maintains that Washington will likely "facilitate" Ankara's predicted "heavy air campaign" in Syrian provinces bordering Turkey.

"Turkey will emphasize its intent to rely principally on Sunni Turkmen and Arab rebel proxies to clear and hold the Islamic State-infested territory, but Ankara will also have a contingency plan ready in case it needs to deploy ground forces," the think tank noted.

(snip)

Read more at: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151229/1032447003/turkey-syria-airstrikes-campaign.html

[CJCRANE]

1. PressTV is also reporting that Kuwait will send troops to Yemen

to support the Saudi military campaign there.

Maybe 2016 will be the year of the Sunni Wahabbi offensive.

[another_liberal]

6. Saudi Arabia doesn't have a history of much military success . . .

At least not since the 9th Century or so. By risking highly damaging military failure, they may only be advancing the ultimate downfall of their own Regime.

[pampango]

2. RW sources predicting military action by RW governments.

... Ankara will also have a contingency plan ready in case it needs to deploy ground forces," the think tank noted.

Erdogan is certainly a conservative 'strong man' type leader. Those types do love to use military power rather than diplomacy or economic power. I would not put anything past him, but even this RW source claims it is just a 'contingency plan' at this point. Everyone has contingency plans.

RW, republicans and others, do love to use the military. And conservative think tanks do love to speculate on the use of the military.

[LanternWaste]

3. Prophecies by RW think tanks are necessary for many people's bias.

Prophecies by RW think tanks are necessary for many people's bias.

[another_liberal]

7. Am I to understand . . .

You support the existence of conservative think tanks like Stratfor? I personally think they do far more harm than good for the American government and the American people. The policies they champion are completely in line with the "New American Century" thinking that has led to our last fifteen years of pointless, wasteful "wars of choice."

[karynnj]

11. What makes you think the poster supports Strafor -- he called it a RW source

For anyone here, calling something RW is akin to questioning it at the least and, in most cases, saying it has no merit.

Given that YOU posted the article and its your OP, it is ridiculous that you then ask if someone else supports it.

[bemildred]

4. Neocon wet dream. nt

[n2doc]

5. Already there

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/iraq-file-complaint-turkish-incursion-151211150935433.html

[another_liberal]

8. Yes, the Turks have already invaded Iraq . . .

However, they do not yet have uniformed Turkish troops in Syria. That would be a major escalation of the civil war already raging there (not to mention a separate and equally damning violation of international laws regarding sovereignty).

[1939]

9. Contingency Plans

Military planners always have a plan stored in the in the safe "just in case".

From 1900 till WWII, the US Army and Navy had "color plans" in case of need

War Plan Black: War with Germany
War Plan Red: War with the UK
War Plan Crimson: Invasion of Canada (part of Red)
War Plan Gold: War with France
War Plan Gray: Intervention in a Caribbean island or a Central American country
War Plan Green: War with Mexico
War Plan Maroon: War with Italy
War Plan Purple: Intervention in Brazil
War Plan Tan: Intervention in Cuba
War Plan Pink: War with Russia/USSR
War Plan Orange: War with Japan
War Plan White: Internal domestic disturbances.

These plans were in writing and were war-gamed at the Army and Navy War Colleges

[another_liberal]

10. Sounds like completely wasted time and money . . .

We need to get those people doing something useful for the country, not just dreaming up plans to invade and occupy Mars.

[1939]

13. Rainbow

George Marshall used those various plans to create the Rainbow plan which was used to fight World War II

"The Road to Rainbow: Army Planning for Global War" by Henry G. Cole is a great read on these plans, how they were used in the War College, how they evolved into Rainbow, and the men trained there who held high command and staff positions during WWII.

[another_liberal]

15. Except that we don't have a "World War II" to fight . . .

Nothing like that is even on the far distant horizon, unless we start it.

[lovuian]

12. if they do WWIII will be in full swing

it's already started but Russia won't let Turkey gain anymore territory

Sibel Edmonds is proven right

[another_liberal]

14. I hope someone with half a brain has thought through where this is all heading . . .

If not, you are so right: We are screwed!

[rjsquirrel]

16. lol ah yes Stratfor, remember them?

Tool of the MIC, funny to see them quoted by our local Putin Fan Club leader.

Stratfor has never been right about anything.