The World We Live In - WTF

[BondJmsBond]

Here shall be posted things in our world that make you (well, me at least) say WTF.
I could post these in "Things I don't understand", but nobody wants to relive that.

First off, Kim Kardashian. Kim. Kardashian. wtf.

[BondJmsBond]

Lindsey Lohan - Burkini Model.
PAY ATTENTION to me! Please pay attention to me! I'll do anything just pay attention to meeeeeeeeee!

screen grab

[Misrule]

I feel sorry for Lindsey Lohan. She is so completely unable to live her life. WTF.

[defrabbit]

something that makes me WTF:

several times, in unrelated online places, I have seen the sentiment
expressed (by people who are into mens fashion) that men should not
wear shorts in public because it is somehow unsightly or only for children.

[BondJmsBond]

Kylie Jenner? The world cares that she crashed a high school prom? WTF

[BondJmsBond]

Somehow, here we are, shooting down a Syrian plane, in Syria.

Somehow we're deeply involved in combat operations in a country that has armies and militias from a dozen countries fighting in it. We're flying all over a place that's bristling with modern anti-aircraft systems and hostile aircraft. For now we have a loose agreement with the Russians that we won't shoot at each other.

WTF

[Frosty]

They better watch their asses or we are going to shoot missiles at another one of their military bases and this time we might even hit a runway!!!

[Toto]

A german General said;
Don't belief that in Syria is fighting good against bad.It's evil against much more evil.

[BondJmsBond]

For now we have a loose agreement with the Russians that we won't shoot at each other.

Russian Defense Ministry says they will now target coalition aircraft west of the Euphrates, limiting the coalition to a small part of Syria, if we accept it.
*Note: "Targeting" is a purposely vague term. it could mean anything from lighting coalition aircraft up with radar, to actually shooting them down.

1. We could accept it.

2. We could ignore it and have a possible or even probable escalation to 3.

3. We could destroy Syrian and Russian air defense missiles and aircraft; creating a whole-country no-fly zone. This could be done with probably small losses to coalition.
But there's no telling what Russia/Syria/Iran would do.

President Trump has given the military operational control over Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan. This is great for military effectiveness, not so great for civilian casualties and world strategy.

It's hideously complicated. Regionally, Syria/Russia/Iran (and it's proxies) want Shia control from Iran to Turkey, made possible by GW Bush taking out Sunni controlled Iraq.
We, belatedly, don't want that. Not sure what we do want, exactly, but destruction of ISIS will lead to Shia control of the region. Plug Trumps' recent visit to Saudi Arabia, arms deal, and de facto declaration of support for the Sunnis against Iran Syria and Russia into that equation. Battle lines seem relatively clear.

We (coalition) ended up allied with the SDF, mostly Kurds in NE Syria. Maybe staking out and forcing part of Syria ceded to Kurds and what's left of non-terrorist Syrian anti-Assad people is our goal? Is Russia's using the term "West of the Euphrates" an indication of this being accepted?

Meanwhile we have been pushed around and murdered by Iran in Iraq, while unable to strike back. 200-500 American deaths were linked to Iran, and our military would dearly love to give them payback for this. - In recent weeks US has bombed Iranian militia in Syria.

Just more fun in the Middle East.

[Misrule]

"Who knew the Middle East could be so complicated?"

Just about everyone who ever attempted to do anything there.

(No, he didn't ask that question; it was asked about health care)