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| Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council to discuss additional security measures for Crimea after clashes on the contested peninsula, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, August 11, 2016. Sputnik/Kremlin/Alexei Druzhinin/via REUTERS |
12 August 2016: In a comment posted three days ago in the previous SITREP the rumors circulating regarding the possibility of a resumption of military action by Russia against the Ukraine were offered to the readers as a kind of heads-up. As of yesterday, those rumors began the transition towards becoming reality.
As we look towards the rapidly approaching time fore the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38/39, an ongoing Russian military adventure could potentially be the activity that God will turn Russia away from with hooks secured in her jaws towards the land of Israel. A resumption of war against Ukraine, which occurs as the result of manufactured pretexts currently occurring in Crimea, qualifies for such an ongoing military adventure to the north of Israel.
Yesterday, as evidenced by the above image, Putin covered multiple military "scenarios" of what he said were "counter-terrorism security measures" on land, sea and in the air around Crimea. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko promptly placed his country's military forces on their highest state of combat preparedness. Ukrainian forces will initially face the threat posed by 40,000 Russian combat troops which have been deployed up against Ukraine's border regions. These troops are armed with the newest equipment and include units whose express mission is offensive air assault. Similar preparatory actions are in progress with Russia's Black Sea Fleet and air force combat squadrons.
There are also unconfirmed reports that internet access has been cut-off in the region of northern Crimea. These developments are being watched closely.
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Another key and related item to Ezekiel 38/39 that we must pay attention to as watchmen is the aftermath of the failed coup d'etat in Turkey. Within NATO the United States of America stands as the alliance's most powerful military force. Not many realize the second most powerful military force in the alliance prior to the coup attempt on 15-16 July 2016 was Turkey. Was is the operative word.
In the nearly four weeks since the coup attempt Turkish military power, and morale, and effectiveness as a leading fighting force has all but disappeared. A full 44% of Turkey's experienced combat command structure no longer exists as 157 of the armed forces generals and admirals were summarily discharged. Some stand to be executed. Another 8,500 officers of lesser rank and non-commissioned leadership have also been purged from the force.
In addition to these losses, all Turkish military infrastructure, such as manufacturing plants and shipyards, have been removed from military control and transferred to civilian entities loyal to the dictate of the ruling Islamist AKP party; all military preparatory high schools and service warfighting academies have been shuttered. Military hospitals have fallen under AKP-controlled health ministry. Key Turkish anti-terrorist functionaries such as the gendarmerie and coast guard have been transferred to interior ministry control.
This leaves the formerly powerful Turkish armed forces a headless, hollowed out, state-of-shock and combat ineffective image of its former self. The Turkish armed forces are presently in no position to defend the country against an intrusion of a foreign enemy much less prosecute offensive operations beyond the national border. Turkish armed forces in this sad state of affairs are of little to no use to NATO as a bulwark against foreign aggression in Europe of the Middle East. NATO's southern flank now has a gaping hole to the east of Greece, making it a frontline country facing the battlefields of the Middle East.
The Kurdish national desire for a homeland of their own could not have been given a better gift by the Islamists of the AKP. In the Kurds decades long struggle against the Turkish central government never has the fortunes of their armed struggle looked brighter. Anticipating a Kurdish military exploitation of this situation is a virtual no-brainer. The effect this all has in the war against the Islamic State has not yet become manifest, but almost certainly guarantees an increase of US and other NATO forces to fill the vacuum caused by the AKPs demolition of its armed forces.
****
Another key and related item to Ezekiel 38/39 that we must pay attention to as watchmen is the aftermath of the failed coup d'etat in Turkey. Within NATO the United States of America stands as the alliance's most powerful military force. Not many realize the second most powerful military force in the alliance prior to the coup attempt on 15-16 July 2016 was Turkey. Was is the operative word.
In the nearly four weeks since the coup attempt Turkish military power, and morale, and effectiveness as a leading fighting force has all but disappeared. A full 44% of Turkey's experienced combat command structure no longer exists as 157 of the armed forces generals and admirals were summarily discharged. Some stand to be executed. Another 8,500 officers of lesser rank and non-commissioned leadership have also been purged from the force.
In addition to these losses, all Turkish military infrastructure, such as manufacturing plants and shipyards, have been removed from military control and transferred to civilian entities loyal to the dictate of the ruling Islamist AKP party; all military preparatory high schools and service warfighting academies have been shuttered. Military hospitals have fallen under AKP-controlled health ministry. Key Turkish anti-terrorist functionaries such as the gendarmerie and coast guard have been transferred to interior ministry control.
This leaves the formerly powerful Turkish armed forces a headless, hollowed out, state-of-shock and combat ineffective image of its former self. The Turkish armed forces are presently in no position to defend the country against an intrusion of a foreign enemy much less prosecute offensive operations beyond the national border. Turkish armed forces in this sad state of affairs are of little to no use to NATO as a bulwark against foreign aggression in Europe of the Middle East. NATO's southern flank now has a gaping hole to the east of Greece, making it a frontline country facing the battlefields of the Middle East.
The Kurdish national desire for a homeland of their own could not have been given a better gift by the Islamists of the AKP. In the Kurds decades long struggle against the Turkish central government never has the fortunes of their armed struggle looked brighter. Anticipating a Kurdish military exploitation of this situation is a virtual no-brainer. The effect this all has in the war against the Islamic State has not yet become manifest, but almost certainly guarantees an increase of US and other NATO forces to fill the vacuum caused by the AKPs demolition of its armed forces.
