UN

Losing clearances, torture conditions and major contenders + this day in history w/Yellowstone's Black Saturday and our song of the day by Mudhoney on your Morning Monarchy for August 20, 2018.

Personally, speaking. The answer to the above question: Is Turkey likely to annex the Syrian territory it now controls? No. It's doubtful Turkey needs the extra headache that would be had by annexing this territory.

hat tip to J for leaving the link to this oped in the comment section of :

What the heck is Chyrstia Freeland on about? Saudi Arabia is all for ‘rights’. Do note the fact that the Saudi diplomat rejects supporting every independence movement but just so happens to support the Usrael/remake the region friendly “independence” of the USrael affiliated KurdsSee below:

More on Idlib. It’s from the Atlantic Council- so you gotta be aware of the presentation, but, I’ll bold the info I find interesting- This post will not contain the entire oped.Syrian Army soldiers loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad forces are seen in Idlib, Syria January 21, 2018. Picture taken January 21, 2018. How Idlib is handled is critical to Syria's future.

Firas Tlass: SAA Will Invade Idleb with Russian and Turkish Help  When I stumbled across this latest article my first thought was ‘wow, that’s a blast from the past’ Long, long time readers might remember the spin around the man named Manaf Tlass and his exit from Syria. Firas Tlass is Manaf’s brother.

DS

I've been reading about Turkey's currency crisis 'round the net. There seem to be some authors that are confusing correlation with causation.These op/eds put forth the idea that the fundamentals of Turkey's economy are the reason for the currency crisis.   I disagree and suggest that these persons are confusing correlation and causation.Explainer:

 I've added an update at the bottom- a map, which should be very helpful to understanding the situation on the ground in and around Idlib- scroll downFollowing up on: Sochi: Iran, Russia & Turkey Talk Syria. Refugee Returns & IdlibWhere I'd commented:

The sanctions against Turkey have been coming for a long time now. They are the next step in the war that has long been waged against Turkey.Notice I said the next step? Not the first step? That's because there have been many attacks already made against Turkey...  I've covered many of them since 2013. Just a few in no particular order: