News and commentary for September 9

Israeli Druze leader expresses concern over ISIL

ISIL may be able to take up positions near the Golan Heights and then threaten Israel and Jordan. The Downing Reports has long held that Israel would like to see the Syrian Druze population detach from Syria and form a statelet under the aegis of the IDF.

Russian military personnel show presence in Syria

Russian soldiers are posting “selfies” taken inside Syria. Meanwhile the Russian foreign ministry has admitted the presence of military personnel operating there, even outside the naval base at Tartus. The Syrian army is being driven from the north by al Qaeda. Russian pilots may fly combat missions soon. They did so during the Korean  War and operated air defense systems during Itjhr Vietnam War.

US continues to look for a way to create a moderate Syrian rebel group

The program has thus far built a force of about sixty fighters, which is too small to accomplish anything. Furthermore, they are seen by other rebels as agents of the US. Well, they are trained, armed, paid by the US. The Pentagon is at sea on this one.