There is no high probability of a U.S. military operation against Syria in the next week. However, the forecast may be changed in line with the dynamics of developments in the region. U.S. President's statement on Twitter on an upcoming missile strike emerged just ahead of his consultations with the Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Thus, Donald Trump's message came against the lack of a specific action plan, calculations and risk assessment of the military campaign. The departure of the U.S. aircraft carrier group headed by USS Harry Truman from the Norfolk base in Virginia on April 11 gives grounds to count on its arrival in the Mediterranean in no earlier than six days. Accordingly, the start of the group's deployment in the area of operation may begin on April 17. The calculation indicates an inadequate assessment of its pace by first deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Armed Forces General Staff of the Russian Federation, who … [Read more...] about Assessing chances of U.S. military operation in Syria
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Defense Minister understands U.S. military action in Syria
Minister Ank Bijleveld of Defense understands why the United States is threatening military action in Syria following what is believed to be a poison gas attack in Douma. "If diplomatic, economical and political measures are insufficient, the Netherlands understands a proportional military action in Syria", she said to Nieuwsuur. The United States and several other countries are convinced that the Syrian army used a chemical weapon in Douma on Saturday to try to drive out rebels, according to NOS. Russia is an ally of Syrian president Assad. Russia used its veto power in the UN Security Council to block an investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Douma. The U.S. and its allies were diametrically opposed to Russia. This conflict resulted in American president Donald Trump tweeting: "Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and 'smart'!" Bijleveld spoke to her American colleague James Mattis … [Read more...] about Defense Minister understands U.S. military action in Syria
Russian Envoy Pleads With U.S. Not To Strike Syria Amid Deadlock At UN
Russia's UN ambassador pleaded with the United States not to stage a military strike against Syria after the UN Security Council deadlocked over proposals responding to a suspected chemical weapons attack outside Damascus. Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya's plea late on April 10 came after the council defeated competing U.S. and Russian plans to investigate the attack in Douma on April 7, which killed at least 40 people, and amid growing signs that a U.S. air strike could be imminent. Reuters and TASS reported late on April 10 that the pan-European air traffic control agency is warning airlines to exercise caution in the eastern Mediterranean "due to the possible launch of air strikes into Syria with air-to-ground and/or cruise missiles within the next 72 hours." The Syrian army has put its forces on alert for the next three days, while a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, has been sighted in the Mediterranean within striking distance of Syria. And U.S. … [Read more...] about Russian Envoy Pleads With U.S. Not To Strike Syria Amid Deadlock At UN
U.S. Threatens Military Action Against Syria; Russia Warns Of ‘Grave’ Consequences
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to take military action against Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack on Damascus civilians over the weekend, while Russia warned any such action would have "grave repercussions." Speaking at a meeting with U.S. military advisers late on April 9, Trump said "we're making a decision as to what we do with respect to the horrible attack that was made near Damascus...and it will be met forcefully." “We can’t let atrocities like we all witnessed...we can’t let that happen in our world...especially when we’re able to because of the power of the United States...we’re able to stop it.” "We have a lot of options militarily, and we'll be letting you know pretty soon. Probably after the fact," Trump said. Trump later conferred with French President Emmanuel Macron, and they agreed on the need for a "firm response" to the attack, Macron's office said. Trump had earlier said that Syrian allies Russia and Iran may … [Read more...] about U.S. Threatens Military Action Against Syria; Russia Warns Of ‘Grave’ Consequences
North Korea tells U.S. it is prepared to discuss denuclearization
North Korea has told the United States for the first time that it is prepared to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets President Donald Trump, a U.S. official said on Sunday. U.S. and North Korean officials have held secret contacts recently in which Pyongyang directly confirmed its willingness to hold the unprecedented summit, the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The communications, still at a preliminary stage, have involved State Department officials talking to North Korea apparently through its United Nations mission, and intelligence officers from both sides using a separate backchannel, the official said. Until now, the United States had relied mostly on ally South Korea’s assurance of Kim’s intentions. South Korean envoys visited Washington last month to convey Kim’s invitation to meet. Trump, who has exchanged bellicose threats with Kim in the past year, surprised the world by … [Read more...] about North Korea tells U.S. it is prepared to discuss denuclearization