Are you aware the U.S. and Russia are going to begin Military to Military talks about Syria?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 22:34:04 -0400

"U.S. officials said they expect the administration to begin a military-to-military dialogue with Russia in the coming days. The Pentagon will take the lead in the discussions but the exact level, venue and timing have yet to be determined, officials said." John Kerry announced that the Russians had offered to begin talks yesterday. This came about as a result of his phone calls with Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia. I believe it is necessary for the U.S. and Russia to open discussions to avoid possible future misunderstanding and conflicts. Kerry says, "the administration is still weighing it's merits". What do you think about this?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/09/17/us-plans-to-accept-russia-offer-to-join-military-talks-on-syria/?intcmp=hplnws

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Sep 17 at 2015 10:35 PM

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 22:35:29 -0400

I think we have to...they are looking like they are going to move in there.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 10:46 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 22:46:45 -0400

A necessity to ensure we don't end up in a war with Russia in Syria. Since the two nations are planning on backing opposing factions there. Isn't the real enemy ISIS?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 17 at 2015 10:47 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 22:47:41 -0400

something needs to be done to prevent a way between our nation and Russia

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Sep 17 at 2015 11:22 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 23:22:43 -0400

I think we're starting to realize Assad is better than the alternate. Mixing it up with Russia over this one would be dumb.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Sep 18 at 2015 1:02 AM

COL Ted Mc — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 01:02:50 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member - Captain; Both the US and Russia are going to have troops in the same area and those troops are going to be shooting live ammunition.

Finding out what the people who are (at least notionally) on your side are going to be doing is generally regarded as a "Good Thing" - militarily.

Please SO NOT ask why the US doesn't know what the Pakistanis and Saudis are doing. That question is embarrassing to SEVERAL administrations not just to the current one.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 18 at 2015 1:16 AM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 01:16:40 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Russia is the sole (potential) country on the planet that scares me. North Korea doesn't scare me...unless the Russians join them. China doesn't scare me...unless the Russians join them. Iran doesn't scare me...unless the Russians back them.

The Russians have defeated Ceasar, Napoleon, Alexander, Ghengis Khan...Hitler. They are the single greatest (potential) threat in the world to us today. Not China. Not North Korea.

So it would behoove us, yes, to talk. Rather than fight.

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Sep 18 at 2015 1:57 AM

SGT Francis Wright — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 01:57:43 -0400

At least the Generals will get a better deal, than JFK and BHO. Those two couldn't make a good deal if their lives depended on it.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 18 at 2015 6:32 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 06:32:50 -0400

I think that whenever the U.S. and Russia get together to talk-it is a good idea.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 7:57 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 07:57:42 -0400

I have some concerns about the Russian president, but I think we do need to start communications with Russia about Syria. I would like to see the U.S. start a positive dialogue. Maybe working with Russia on this might open other areas for discussion. "The enemy of my enemy". We might be making another deal with another devil, but Russia can help to bring stability to that portion of the region. We need other major powers getting involved. Russia has a lot in stake in that region as well. Russia is a lot closer to the ISIS threat than we are and I'm sure they don't want ISIS moving closer to them. So I say lets go ahead and start talks. Lets see where it goes.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 8:16 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 08:16:03 -0400

With Russian forces on the ground in two locations with helicopters and vehicles and the potential for combat aircraft it would be malpractice to not be speaking on a mil2mil level. This will probably not end well, though we managed to deconflict Kosovo when we had to.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 18 at 2015 8:16 AM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 08:16:08 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Maybe they can have a side bar on how the Russian's are going to leave the Ukraine alone. No chance on getting Crimea back.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 18 at 2015 9:34 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:34:57 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member - I certainly think that dialog is good, but only if we are willing to back up anything we say. The Obama Administration has not shown that to the world, except in those cases where it was detrimental to the US, like the Iran deal.

Having Kerry, or anyone else in this Administration, attempt to negotiate with Putin, who has total contempt for Obama, would be like sending Billy Graham to bargain with the Ayatollah. We need to involve someone with credibility, although I don't know who that might be in the current administration..... Maybe they should consider sending Donald Trump or Carly Fiorina... :-)

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 18 at 2015 9:42 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:42:33 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Now that is something that the Obama administration can get a "Hell Yes" quote from me. That makes sense and that is good Foreign policy and dialogue! I give that a "thumbs up". Just don't give away the farm John Kerry!

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Sep 18 at 2015 9:44 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:44:52 -0400

Nothing surprises me anymore!

Response by SGT William Howell made Sep 18 at 2015 10:28 AM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 10:28:15 -0400

Oh Crap! Syria will have a Nuke by the end of the year too! Where does Kerry get all this Uranium from?

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 18 at 2015 10:58 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 10:58:42 -0400

Interesting. Especially since Russia has been arming Assad's forces...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 11:23 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:23:33 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member This morning, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter had a constructive conversation with the Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoygu on the situation in Syria. The secretary and the minister talked about areas where the United States and Russia's perspectives overlap and areas of divergence. They agreed to further discuss mechanisms for deconfliction in Syria and the counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) campaign. The secretary emphasized the importance of pursuing such consultations in parallel with diplomatic talks that would ensure a political transition in Syria. He noted that defeating ISIL and ensuring a political transition are objectives that need to be pursued at the same time. Both the secretary and the minister agreed to continue their dialogue.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 21 at 2015 2:12 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 02:12:25 -0400

This is probably a good thing honestly. As long as they are fighting against ISIS as well it wouldn't hurt to discuss fighting with them. That and they could be one of our greatest allies if we would stop whining about the way he runs his country and actually try to work with them.