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Jesus Malverde

(10,274 posts)
Tue Oct 20, 2015, 10:41 PM Oct 2015

U.S. Agrees With Russia on Rules in Syrian Sky

Source: NYTIMES



MOSCOW — Russia and the United States signed an agreement Tuesday that regulates all aircraft and drone flights over Syria, the defense departments of both countries announced.

At a Pentagon briefing, Peter Cook, the department’s press secretary, said the agreement, called a memorandum of understanding, established safety protocols requiring the Russians and the United States-led international coalition fighting the Islamic State in Syria to maintain professional airmanship at all times, use specific communication frequencies and establish a communication line on the ground.

Anatoly I. Antonov, the Russian deputy defense minister, said in a Defense Ministry statement, “The memorandum contains a set of rules and restrictions aimed at preventing incidents between the Russian and U.S. aviation.” He did not go into details, but said it had “important practical significance.”

The coalition has been bombing Islamic State positions in Syria since September 2014, so American officials were alarmed when Russia, with little warning, began launching its own airstrikes in Syria on behalf of its ally three weeks ago. Russia made no effort to coordinate the strikes with American air operations in the region, the United States has said.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/world/middleeast/us-and-russia-agree-to-regulate-all-flights-over-syria.html?_r=0

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U.S. Agrees With Russia on Rules in Syrian Sky (Original Post) Jesus Malverde Oct 2015 OP
Sounds like a good, but very, very risky idea to me. JDPriestly Oct 2015 #1
Good. I hope this agreement sticks. forest444 Oct 2015 #2
A first step to multi-party peace talks? uawchild Oct 2015 #3

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)
1. Sounds like a good, but very, very risky idea to me.
Tue Oct 20, 2015, 10:59 PM
Oct 2015

This is not a good policy for us from the point of view of the safety of our military men and the safeguarding of our planes and other material, but it's the best choice we have. We have nothing to gain from a direct war with Russia in Syria at this time.

The Islamic extremists are more dangerous than even Assad. So we are nearly forced to side with Russia to some extent at this moment.

When I say that, I am assuming that the information I have about Syria and ISIS is true because I am relying on our very unreliable and not very honest government and press to inform me. But if they are telling the truth, then this seems to be the best policy we can follow under these very bad circumstances.

forest444

(5,902 posts)
2. Good. I hope this agreement sticks.
Tue Oct 20, 2015, 11:07 PM
Oct 2015

Whatever our differences, we should never forget that we have a real monster as a common enemy. Humanity really is counting on these two great military powers.

uawchild

(2,208 posts)
3. A first step to multi-party peace talks?
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 08:38 AM
Oct 2015

I would like to hope so. Communication of any kind is a first step, I guess.

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