I’ve been looking for a map like this for some time and this one was helpfully provided by Understanding War (hat tip: Pat Lang). It benefits by comparing it with this image from UW’s September assessment:
As you can see the regime has made good progress in moving to retake areas in the northwest of Syria. Here’s UW’s assessment:
The direct intervention of Russia into the Syrian Civil War has shifted battlefield momentum in favor of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since ISW published its last Control of Terrain in Syria Map in mid-September. Russia began its air campaign in Syria on September 30, enabling the regime to mount renewed offensives against opposition-held terrain throughout Western Syria. In Aleppo Province, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and associated proxy forces launched a multipronged offensive on October 15 that has seized large swaths of rebel-held terrain in the southern countryside of Aleppo City, threatening to sever the strategic M5 Highway. Meanwhile, pro-regime forces relieved the besieged Kuweires Airbase in Eastern Aleppo Province on November 10 in a key symbolic victory that positioned the regime to exploit future U.S.-led coalition operations against ISIS along the Syrian-Turkish border. The regime also achieved tactical gains against the opposition in Northeastern Latakia Province and parts of Northern Hama Province as well as the Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus.
Pat thinks that we will see a “sudden collapse of rebel activity in NW Syria”.
Note, too, the extension of the area controlled by DAESH in northeast Syria, towards areas controlled by the Kurds.
Both of these areas of activity contradict the Obama Administration’s account of what’s happening in Syria and with DAESH. Perhaps they’re privy to information not available to us.
You’re misreading the map. The extension has been in YPG control towards areas controlled by ISIS. The Kurds have been reasserting themselves.
The isolated spot under ISIS control on the border of the Golan Heights is interesting. Given the isolation, that would appear to be “good” rebels switching sides.
I doubt the media will go looking into the story much. Top stories on CNN right now include a bit about the Obama’s Holiday Spotify list, another bit about the Kardashian Christmas card, and a story about Sandy Hook. That’s up near the top. I’m sure down near the bottom are stories about The Donald’s hair, and whether or not Hillary Clinton getting schlonged is a good thing or a bad thing.
But hey, they’ve got a story on how the TSA no longer thinks pat downs are enough and want to force people to get full body scans. Before long they’ll be calling for everyone to get an ultrasound anal probe before entering an airport – it’s the only way to be sure!
Have I mentioned that I no longer want to fly commercial?
I find that story funny. Quite a few of HC’s supporters are retiring to their fainting couches, fanning themselves, and applying smelling salts.
The schlonged thing is just going for the white male and the Jewish vote. He just met with Adelson IIRC.
Steve
I suspect he may not even think of it as Yiddish, steve. He’s a New Yorker and his speech is full of Yiddishisms. He has a coarse style of speech as many New Yorkers do.
What I find amusing is the school marmish reactions from some. Do they think that Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or Clinton didn’t speak coarsely on occasion? (I don’t know about Carter or Bush 41 or 43.)
You’re right. Thanks. I still think that area is likely to see considerable action unless the Kurds arrive at some sort of modus vivendi with DAESH which almost sounds like a contradiction in terms.
Funny, I thought schlonged was a Beavis & Butt-head-ism….
To date, American and European media’s and politician’s narrative has been at variance with reality, and as expected, reality has had the last word, so to speak. Syria is just one manifestation.
Honestly, is there anything they touch that does not turn to sh*t? They have a sort of inverse Midas Touch.