Ramadi

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Could our whole military defeat a band of cave men?

No, but I bet just part of Russia's military could.  I bet Putin has seen an opportunity to show case the fact that despite having an declining economy the size of that of Belgium, Russia is more effective and more to be feared when the going gets tough, at least in the arc between Syria and Afghanistan, than the US, much less China.

In Ukraine we managed to convince the Russians there is no future for them in playing the game we prefer, and to keep what they haven't lost yet, they need to play their own game.    Now in Syria we give the Russians the opportunity to showcase the fact there is more in it for much of the middleeast to play Russia's game than to play ours.

To be honest about it, if the Middle East and African countries ever want peace they would all prohibit entry to all Westerners and form their own unified economic bloc.

[Anomalocaris]

Now that oil is cheap and fracking promise to keep it relatively cheap for the foreseeable future, a uniformed "economic" block of middleeastern countries would be based on what economy?

[Minimalist]

Opium if the fucking Afghans have their way.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Not to mention that some of our Syrian rebel trainees recently turned over sixteen truckloads of weapons to al-Qaeda.

The real kicker? The Pentagon says that despite that, the program will continue.

WTF?

Could our whole military defeat a band of cave men?

Given the will to win is present, yes.

[Anomalocaris]

When did we last have the will to absorb casualty?

[Minimalist]

But you see we don't think we should have to.  They should be happy that we are there killing them for their own good.

Why can't they see that?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Yeah, hence my caveat.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Now that oil is cheap and fracking promise to keep it relatively cheap for the foreseeable future, a uniformed "economic" block of middleeastern countries would be based on what economy?

They have enough varied raw materials to create their own industrial base if they ever get their heads out of their asses.  They don't have to built a space ship in the first week.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Opium if the fucking Afghans have their way.

The sole reason we invaded Afghanistan was to restore the opium supply that the Taliban had cut off.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

When did we last have the will to absorb casualty?

Are you eager to get your head blown off for the bankers, arms merchants, and politicians?  What will you get out of it?