When the Syrian army and its supporters have cleared the Latakia area near Turkey Russia will install a new far reaching radar and a listening post on one of its hilltops. Such a station will allow the observance of all air and sea movements for hundreds of kilometers into Turkey. It will be part of the price Turkey and NATO have to pay for the ambush of the Russian plane.

Some people think that Turkey would invade Syria if the Kurds move further into the supply corridor north east of Aleppo the Islamic State uses for its dealing with Turkey. I very much doubt such a move as any intrusion into Syria would risk open war with Russia. The Turkish army would only launch that war under a explicit, written order. NATO would not support such a move and Erdogan alone would carry the full responsibility. Most Turkish people are well aware of the economic losses that follow Erdogan's aggressive policies and would likely not support such a hopeless adventure.

Erdogan's grandstanding and interference is no longer effective. The current UN talks in Geneva between the Syrian government and a Saudi supported group of the radical insurgents are a side show. The real negotiations are on the battlefield and there the Syrian government and its supporters continue to improve their already superior position. Moon of Alabama

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This analysis of the situation north and northwest of Aleppo is so well done and precise that I feel no need to post something different on the subject.

R+6 is in the process of grinding the rebel forces into dust north of Aleppo with a general collapse to be expected very soon.

IMO Erdogan's neo-Ottoman caliphate and sultanate disguised as a republic is seeking to provoke war between NATO and Russia. I do not think this will succeed. Sober reflection on the part of the political leaders of NATO will prevent that. A consciousness of the need to stay off the escalatory ladder will block anything but blather from NATO.

General Breedlove (SACEUR) was abviously chosen for his rabid anti-Russian views. He is a menace and should be removed. pl

http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/02/syria-negotiates-with-new-attacks-on-insurgency-supply-routes-.html#comments