Fading Trump-Putin trust derails de-escalation zones on Syria’s borders with Israel, Jordan

Washington’s decision to keep US bases in northern Syria, secured by a new 30,000-strong local force, drew a strong threat from Moscow. Col. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, chairman of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, said, “The practices of the United States, which is leading an international coalition allegedly against Daesh, contradict the Russian interests in Syria. Russia will work in cooperation with its partners to take necessary procedures to establish stability in Syria,” he was quoted as saying by Novosti news agency on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said: “There is a fear that they are pursuing a policy to cut Syria into several pieces.” On the same day, a delegation of Syrian rebel chiefs arrived in Washington to try and persuade the Americans to restore aid. The US administration suspended that aid program seven months ago, immediately after Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin talked at the July 2017 G20 summit in Munich. It was then that they agreed to establish a series of de-escalation zones in Syria to wind down the warfare, with special focus on its border regions with Israel and Jordan.
However, when in recent weeks, Trump found the Russians opening the door for Iran to deepen its military presence in Syria, he lost faith in his deal with Putin. The Syrian rebels sensed an opportunity at hand to bid for the resumption of US arms and aid. A Free Syrian Army (FSA) delegation accordingly landed in Washington this week and openly solicited the CIA to go back to its former training and aid programs.

It may be assumed that FSA chiefs had received some sign from the Trump administration that their journey was worthwhile. They may also have understood that, if Washington was willing to set up a new army in northern Syria, dominated by the Kurdish YPG militia, it would be equally amenable to reconstituting the FSA for operating on other fronts, especially against the advancing Syrian government army and its Iranian and Hizballah allies.
In a word, the situation is a far cry from Putin’s assertion at the Russian Khmeimim air base near Latakia on Dec. 11, that the war was ending with a Russian victory.  Instead of being over, the war has switched to a new stage.
In further reference to the new US plans for northern Syria, Lavrov said on Monday: “What it would mean is that vast swaths of territory along the borders of Turkey and Iraq to the east of the Euphrates River would be isolated.” He complained: “There is nothing in the UN Security Council resolutions that have been pointing to that and neither is it in our previous agreements, so we are expecting some clarification from the US.”

But the Trump administration is now busy translating its decisions into actions on the ground in Syria and has no time for diplomatic wrangling. The de-escalation zones agreed by the two leaders seven months ago are dissipating, under the pressures of Russian-Iranian movements, US counter moves and Moscow’s threats. It is now up to Israel to adapt to the new reality that Syrian border zones are no longer secure.

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53 thoughts on “Fading Trump-Putin trust derails de-escalation zones on Syria’s borders with Israel, Jordan

  • Jan 16, 2018 @ 9:27 at 9:27
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    Too bad, Putin, you did not keep your end of the bargain and actially invited Iranians and Hezbollah to red lines and others’ backyards so this costly mistake will mean Kurds and everyone else must get their fair share in a divided Syria.

    If you want to turn this Syrian quagmire around then work with the US to dump Assad and Iran-Hezbollah and help reward the Kurds for almost unilaterally defeating ISIL and also make it safe for Sunnis, Shia, Alawites, etc., then give each its own emirate in what’s left of a destroyed Syria… after the Kurdish take what’s theirs.

    Israel has kept out of the shithole That is Syria except for making sure advanced weapons do not get in the wrong hands so do not poke their eyes at this stage by allowing Iran positions in a Syrian future anywhere near Israeli borders.

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 10:19 at 10:19
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      israel created the shithole. Kurds are just the same traitors. So get rid of assad and let the israel proxy army ISIS murder everyone. Funny how the isis has never attacked their masters in israel

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 10:34 at 10:34
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        You got it all backwards philias. It is just the Muslims that create destruction everywhere they go. Check out what is happening in Turkey or any Muslim nation.

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 11:59 at 11:59
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        “—————- let the israel proxy army ISIS murder everyone. Funny how the isis has never attacked their masters in israel”

        @philias,

        Had you bothered to read past articles from Debka, you would have discovered that there had been attacks in Israel that had ISIS’s finger prints all over them. You also would have discovered that there are Palestinians who have joined ISIS, so your comment makes no sense at all.

        BTW, it looks like the “capital ‘I’ ” key on your computer is intermittent. Maybe you should seek some professional assistance to correct that issue.

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 14:16 at 14:16
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        All the many Islamic conflict zones are shitholes. They care NOT about peace with neighbors, their own people or other people’s lives, beliefs and religions.

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 17:25 at 17:25
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        Iran doesn’t attack Israel either, maybe Israel is their “master”. Or maybe ISIS is an Iranian invention sent out to destroy Arab countries, so Iran can “liberate” them.

        • Jan 16, 2018 @ 18:23 at 18:23
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          Iran and Israel see nothing the same. But the ISIS under Iranian control is on the head. This is how they move so freely to expand now!

          • Jan 17, 2018 @ 5:16 at 5:16
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            You and comment above lay out some very interesting suggestions; none that I can argue against without appearing the idiot that I would be for refuting either without information that I do not have access to, thanks.

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 18:22 at 18:22
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        Some idiots will say anything stupid in their brains! Logic is nowhere there is hate! Racist fugger!

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 22:43 at 22:43
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        Funny how isis has never attacked their masters in russia or fascist iran.

      • Jan 17, 2018 @ 2:02 at 2:02
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        Where is your proof?

        IDF is helping Egypt counter ISIS in Sinai.
        ISIS is finding it tough to penetrate Israel security and more so fear Israel.

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 10:21 at 10:21
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      putin is trying to accomodate the adepts of the religion of peace,well it is a broken cause and a waste of time

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 11:34 at 11:34
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      “————-so do not poke their eyes at this stage by allowing Iran positions in a Syrian future anywhere near Israeli borders.”

      @Anonymous,

      Let’s take that one step further—-send Iran and Hezbollah and all of their Shiite mercenaries out from Syria altogether!

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 14:10 at 14:10
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        I concur 100% !!!

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 17:01 at 17:01
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      Yes.I agree with you but i really do not think they will.

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 17:29 at 17:29
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      Let American and Israeli trained human meat eating cannibals finally taste the meat of their sponsors . Soon enough this way the parts of America and part of Israel will become cannibal states …scheduled for final solution . Now think why actually Germans burned all those in their crematoriums–sad isn`t it ? . Here is your answer . American Nazis in Romania, Baltics , Ukraine and now in Israel ???? History has very strange way to repeat itself . And we so much hoped for peace in the whole Middle east without Americans.

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 18:29 at 18:29
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        I dont think you realize how stupid you sound!

        • Jan 17, 2018 @ 2:54 at 2:54
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          An apologist for the apocalyptic death cult fantasizing about little boys hiding in well bottoms that currently runs Iran is incapable of such realization. But, Russia – a Christian country since the year 986, sans 75 years of 20th century communism – should realize any “partnership” with such a group of Islamist fanatics cannot last, especially given Russian internal Islamist problems.

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 1:57 at 1:57
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      Well said!

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 8:37 at 8:37
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      In your dreams Syria will allow partition of their country when they are winning.

      Rest be assured Syrians will never allow that nor Russians, powerful Iran , Hez and even Pmu.

      As long as Russia is not cowardly facing US, the next phase of war will again be won by Assad .

      Common we which force in Syria if Iran is to enter the war officially under the mutual defence treaty against foreign invasion in this case from US?

      ….none

  • Jan 16, 2018 @ 10:29 at 10:29
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    A clash between the US and Russia seems to be in the offing in Syria, its likelihood growing by the day now. The result will most likely be a complete destruction of what still remains of Syria and disappearance of Damascus from the face of the earth.

    “An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus WILL CEASE TO BE A CITY and will become a heap of ruins” (Is. 17:1).

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 11:00 at 11:00
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      YESHAYA 28:

      14. Therefore, listen to the word of the Lord, men of scorn, allegorists of this people who are in Jerusalem.

      15. For you said, “We have made a treaty with death, and with the grave we have set a limit; when an overflowing scourge passes, it shall not come upon us, for we have made lies our shelter and in falsehood have we hidden ourselves.

      … hail shall sweep away the shelter of lies, and water shall flood the hidingplace.

      18. … when an overflowing scourge passes, you shall be trampled by it.

      21. For like the mountain of breaches shall the Lord arise, like the valley in Gibeon He shall be incensed; to perform His deed, strange is His deed, and to perform His work, strange is His work.

      22. And now, do not scorn, lest your pains become strong, for a complete destruction have I heard from the Lord God of Hosts upon the entire land.

      Yeshaya 30

      8. Now, come write it on a tablet with them, and on a book engrave it, and it shall be for the last day, forever to eternity.

      12. Therefore, so said the Holy One of Israel, “Because you have despised this matter, and you have put your trust in oppression and a perverse one, and you have relied upon it.

      13. Therefore, this iniquity shall be to you as a breach of a falling [wall], revealed in a fortified wall, whose breach will come suddenly.”

      14. And He shall break it like the breaking of a potter’s jug, crushed without pity, and in its crushing shall not be found a shard, to scoop fire from a hearth, or to scoop water from a cistern.

      Yeshaya 45:9 ” … … Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth.

      15. For so said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel “With tranquility and restfulness shall you be saved, with quietude and trust shall be your might; but you did not want.

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 11:47 at 11:47
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        “——————– men of scorn, allegorists of this people who are in Jerusalem.

        15. For you said, “We have made a treaty with death, and with the grave we have set a limit; when an overflowing scourge passes, it shall not come upon us, for we have made lies our shelter and in falsehood have we hidden ourselves.”

        @iVaN,

        It’s not really nice or politically correct for you to be talking about the Palestinians who live in parts of East Jerusalem that way (as you quoted above), iVaN———shame on you!

      • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:35 at 3:35
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        yet they missed their saviour, Jesus, somehow. Now they worship a false god. Except for the 144,000 messianic Jews in Israel. Now THEY will be saved.

        • Jan 17, 2018 @ 5:20 at 5:20
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          Wait a second there! Thought the Watchtower had the Reservation on those 144K Seats at The Table?!

        • Jan 21, 2018 @ 3:25 at 3:25
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          but the barren land of 2000 years blooms now for the returning Jews and NOT the replacement theologians…… perhaps you erred?

      • Jan 20, 2018 @ 1:17 at 1:17
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        Well the middle East was relatively peaceful before the influx of the children of belial

      • Jan 21, 2018 @ 3:23 at 3:23
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        so, whats your point?

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 14:12 at 14:12
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      there is also a conflict brewing among Iran and Turkey and Russia…stay tuned.

      • Jan 16, 2018 @ 18:32 at 18:32
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        Turkey is magog!

      • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:07 at 3:07
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        Bound to happen; Russia is Christian, not Islamist, and is not compatible with Islamist countries long term.

        • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:36 at 3:36
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          yet they’re allied with them at the moment.

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 15:37 at 15:37
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      If you’re correct, Tel Aviv will be in the same place, you can be assured of that.

      • Jan 17, 2018 @ 5:34 at 5:34
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        In fact, Isaiah continues his prophesy known as “The Burden of Damascus” and shows that in the process of the ancient city’s utmost destruction, Israel will be greatly weakened and his strength worn out:

        “Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap… And IN THAT DAY it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean” (Isa. 17:1,4).

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 8:44 at 8:44
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      My take is if Russia stands it’s ground US will back down as the ASSAD’s ground forces are more powerful than the Kurds and left over poor FSA.

      Even if Russia is out, the Kurds will still not win if Iran is to enter the fight in big way and or be tortured for years with US forces right in their southern border.

      No with Turkey there too, it is a already assured failed plan

  • Jan 16, 2018 @ 14:46 at 14:46
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    i see kids who havent hit puberty yet and an elderly who should be a retiree

    • Jan 16, 2018 @ 17:35 at 17:35
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      I would like to see the so-called “Palestinians” be invited back as citizens of Syria once again to help re-build that shithole terror state and to replace the jihadists who have been leaving Syria and invited in by Europe. That would kill two problems with one good solution.

  • Jan 16, 2018 @ 16:22 at 16:22
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    Protecting FSA Kurds from Erdogan lackeys would be a good excuse to kick Turkey out of NATO. They do deserve it.

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:11 at 3:11
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      They do deserve it. No room for Islamism in NATO. Maybe the Kurds should take their place.

  • Jan 16, 2018 @ 20:35 at 20:35
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    As Always: The Jewish state can rely ONLY on its own, powerful Armed Forces — but cannot afford indecisive, cowardly “leadership”, presently governing Israel !

  • Jan 16, 2018 @ 20:50 at 20:50
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    Israel is crapping their pants when they see Iran & Hezbollah moving around freely in Syria so they call Trump to start wagging the dog again and he obliged. Americans supply the troops, weapons & intel while Israel gets all the benefits. There are no American interests currently in Syria yet the Americans are the ones doing all the lifting.

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:10 at 3:10
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      Israel never craps its pants. Israel protects first and foremost its citizens which is why it prefers to avoid war (unlike the Kusemeks who love the death all around them in the name of Allah).

      If a war breaks out Israel will be more than well equipped to deal with it. The Kusemeks have no idea of the real capability of the IDF. Even the people of Israel don’t know it all. They don’t need to. They know they will be protected as well as any place on earth.

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:34 at 3:34
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      Yep, just like the Obomber received his order to start the whole mess in Syria in the first place, after he bombed Libya into a failed state, of course.

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 10:18 at 10:18
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      What a stupid comment. If Israel falls or is weakened that’s the time for the whole free world to “start crapping their pants”, because the muslims and russia definitely wont just stop there at that.

    • Jan 18, 2018 @ 16:50 at 16:50
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      Not to be confused with the real Anonymous! I will have to go back to calling myself something else other than Anonymous to distance myself from the above idiotic remarks.

  • Jan 16, 2018 @ 22:27 at 22:27
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    If I am not mistaken. Russia interests have always extended from the North towards the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Eastern Med. As in the move of a Knight Putin can move South over troubled ex Soviet states and land East or West to lasting effect. Once again, The Russian State is moving towards the sea.

  • Jan 17, 2018 @ 1:23 at 1:23
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    Trump is a total different animal than Bush or Obama ever was. Putin should of recognize that, oh well, even world need a reality check.

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:11 at 3:11
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      and so should the A-rabs. There is no pussy in the White House right now.

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 14:49 at 14:49
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      No more politically correct Bushes, Clinton or Obama. Islamism must be destroyed.

  • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:31 at 3:31
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    “Trump found the Russians opening the door for Iran to deepen its military presence in Syria.”

    Really? Nuts! President Obomber opened the door to the Russians/Iran/Turkey going into Syria in the first place by trying to unseat Assad due to his, and others, decision to stop selling oil in U.S. dollars. Let’s see, who did that? Oh yes, it was Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and Russia. Hmmm….and who did we bomb? Iraq by bush, and Libya, Syria, Yemen by President Obomber. And now the Donald’s keeping up the status quo. Way to go, Donald. Bushes/Clintons/Obomber/Donald, it makes no difference as the elite NWO globalists, many of whom are American, want to use the U.S. and Russia to destroy each other in order for them to have their global gov’t. Good luck with that.

  • Jan 17, 2018 @ 3:33 at 3:33
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    No matter how many Americans and Russians (and countless billions others) die, what matters is that Israel remain safe.

    • Jan 17, 2018 @ 4:36 at 4:36
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      No matter how many Americans and Russians and Brits and French and Dutch and Australians and Italians and Spaniards and Canadians and Belgians and Serbs and Chinese and Hindus and Buddhists and Bahais and Zoroastrians (and countless billions others) die, what matters is that Fascist Iran remain safe.

      Eh?

  • Jan 17, 2018 @ 22:14 at 22:14
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    The alliance that we saw in Syria, with Russia, Iran and Turkey think the civil war is over. The facts are it will never be over at least not in the foreseeable future. Israel is being put on the spot by this alliance and that’s bad news for all involved.

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