“If these operations do not stop, there will be nothing left to say about the steps that would be taken.  This is our final word to the Syrian authorities, our first expectation is that these operations stop immediately and unconditionally.”-Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister

August 15, Turkey gave Syria an ultimatum; stop military operations or face the consequences.  This follows the increase of Turkish troops along the border with Syria, and the recall of all military officers who retired within the last five years.

Also, on the the same day U.S. President Obama issued this statement, through his spokesman Jay Carney: “We are looking, together with a broad array of international partners, to increase pressure on President Assad.” Also: “By his actions he has demonstrated that he has lost legitimacy to lead, and the president has no doubt that Syria will be better off without him.”

The statements from the Obama administration are now stereotypical in signalling military action.  Turkey is a member of the U.S. led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Turkey, a member of the U.S. led NATO, has ordered more troops to the border with Syria, and is recalling retired officers to active duty.

Turkish leaders say the troop build up is officially for an anticipated wave of refugees coming out of Syria. Why are they anticipating a huge wave of refugees?  Is it because when NATO attacked Libya, European countries, like Italy and France, were swamped with refugees?

It’s interesting that the troop build up is being done at bases of “strategic importance”.  Turkish official do admit that any NATO action against Syria would put Turkey in a bad position with the Muslim world.

So what if Obama is actually going to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, they’re just going to be used somewhere else.

In response to continued attacks against Syrian police and army troops (three mass graves filled with hundreds of Syrian cops and soldiers have been found), and the fact that Turkey is allowing the build up of NATO forces on a Turkish air base, the Syrian government is massing troops along the Turkish border.

There are reports that Syrian forces attacked impromptu refugee camps along the border.  The United States is warning Syria that their actions could escalate the situation (as if that isn’t what the U.S. wants).

“Unless the Syrian forces immediately end their attacks and their provocations that are not only now affecting their own citizens but (raising) the potential of border clashes, then we’re going to see an escalation of conflict in the area.”-Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State

The Syrian refugees fled into Turkey.  Last week Turkey said it could handle the refugee situation, up to a point.  A Turkish official said they could handle about 10,000 refugees, if the refugee situation escalated beyond that Turkey would have to take action (the official didn’t specify what “action” would be taken).

According to a BBC report, Turkey (a member of the U.S. led NATO) is now massing troops on the border.