Syria , the Presidents biggest embarrasment of all

[spence]

You guys are funny.

Obama was never going to remove Assad by force, and with the increasing radicalization of the rebels arming them is becoming less desirable day by day.

This action takes the WMD off the table so nobody can use it.

The Iranian leadership has shown slight signs of moderation, a diplomatic outcome in Syria helps here as well for future nuclear negotiations.

Why wouldn't Kerry say he was working on it? Are you serious?

Here's a better question for you. Can you explain why Russia would do an about face from the position there was no evidence the Govt led the attack to suddenly demanding Assad give everything up?

-spence

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by spence

Here's a better question for you. Can you explain why Russia would do an about face from the position there was no evidence the Govt led the attack to suddenly demanding Assad give everything up?

-spence

From Putin's perspective, here are 2 possible outcomes.

(1) we remove or kill Assad, who is a Putin ally.
(2) Assad simply agrees to give up his chemical weapons, and everybody agrees to forget about what happened. In this case, Assad stays right where he is.

Why wouldn't Putin jump at the chance for option #2? There is no better outcome for Putin.

So much for Obama's red line nonsense. We look like idiots.

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

From Putin's perspective, here are 2 possible outcomes.

(1) we remove or kill Assad, who is a Putin ally.
(2) Assad simply agrees to give up his chemical weapons, and everybody agrees to forget about what happened. In this case, Assad stays right where he is.

Why wouldn't Putin jump at the chance for option #2? There is no better outcome for Putin.

So much for Obama's red line nonsense. We look like idiots.

In addition, Putin takes over the good guy roll.

It was a win,win proposal for Putin. He comes out as the new leader of the world,
makes the US look like war mongers, protects his ally Assad, and protects his
military base in Syria.
The "red line" talk and the "very small limited attack" plan without the support of our country or the rest of the world made it easy for Putin.

[Rockfish9]

IMHO.. this whole "line in the sand" crap from Our "President" was to get the attention away from the latest round of White house "spy gate"... another notch on his legacy belt.

[Raider Ronnie]

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...1&d=1378810800






QUOTE=Rockfish9;1013009]IMHO.. this whole "line in the sand" crap from Our "President" was to get the attention away from the latest round of White house "spy gate"... another notch on his legacy belt.[/QUOTE]
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[buckman]

Originally Posted by spence

You guys are funny.

Obama was never going to remove Assad by force, and with the increasing radicalization of the rebels arming them is becoming less desirable day by day.

This action takes the WMD off the table so nobody can use it.

The Iranian leadership has shown slight signs of moderation, a diplomatic outcome in Syria helps here as well for future nuclear negotiations.

Why wouldn't Kerry say he was working on it? Are you serious?

Here's a better question for you. Can you explain why Russia would do an about face from the position there was no evidence the Govt led the attack to suddenly demanding Assad give everything up?

-spence

France came out today in favor of an agreement as
Put fourth by Russia but then stated Assad still had to go.
A shift in the balance has always been Obamas stance also. Try as you might to rewrite history days after its recorded . So you agree,that after killing thousands with chemical weapons,the punishment shall be an agreement that assures Assad stay in power??? Great !!!
Explain to me how this " takes weapons off the table so nobody can use them"?? Do you have a magic WMD wand or something?
I think Jim answered your last question quite well. Putin and Assad win! America loses.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[spence]

Originally Posted by buckman

Explain to me how this " takes weapons off the table so nobody can use them"?? Do you have a magic WMD wand or something?

You pass a UN mandate to collect and destroy them with conditions for repercussions on any use or possession post mandate.

I think Jim answered your last question quite well. Putin and Assad win! America loses.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The point of air strikes would be sufficient punishment that Syria didn't use them again. If they voluntarily give them up that has been accomplished with much less risk of escalation.

It's an implicit acknowledgment by Russia that the attack wasn't a rebel stunt as was proposed. Assad is slapped with a UN resolution that will limit his military options and leaves the door open for further action depending on future humanitarian issues.

Putin doesn't really gain anything, Assad loses and Obama doesn't have to face a potential backlash...USA wins.

-spence

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by spence

You pass a UN mandate to collect and destroy them with conditions for repercussions on any use or possession post mandate.


The point of air strikes would be sufficient punishment that Syria didn't use them again. If they voluntarily give them up that has been accomplished with much less risk of escalation.

It's an implicit acknowledgment by Russia that the attack wasn't a rebel stunt as was proposed. Assad is slapped with a UN resolution that will limit his military options and leaves the door open for further action depending on future humanitarian issues.

Putin doesn't really gain anything, Assad loses and Obama doesn't have to face a potential backlash...USA wins.

-spence

"You pass a UN mandate to collect and destroy them with conditions for repercussions on any use or possession post mandate"

And if Assad takes a page from Saddam's playbook, and violates the mandate? Does the UN do nothing, as it is doing at the moment? Assad alreeady broke the Geneva Convention rules Spence, and I don't see the UN doing much. The UN is not taken seriously by those who are looking to slaughter huge numbers of innocents.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by spence

You pass a UN mandate to collect and destroy them with conditions for repercussions on any use or possession post mandate.


The point of air strikes would be sufficient punishment that Syria didn't use them again. If they voluntarily give them up that has been accomplished with much less risk of escalation.

It's an implicit acknowledgment by Russia that the attack wasn't a rebel stunt as was proposed. Assad is slapped with a UN resolution that will limit his military options and leaves the door open for further action depending on future humanitarian issues.

Putin doesn't really gain anything, Assad loses and Obama doesn't have to face a potential backlash...USA wins.

-spence

"Putin doesn't really gain anything"

Putin pulls of a stunt where his pal Assas esentially gets a pass for gassing civilians, while Obama has egg on his face to the world. That's not Putin 'winning' anything?

"Obama doesn't have to face a potential backlash"

Of course he will, as Obama's credibility as a force to be reckoned with has beed eroded, if it was there to begin with. The would-be Assad's out there will be emboldened by this.

"Assad loses "

Loses what? Assad gets to remain in power, he gets essentially a free pass for gassing his own people? You yourself said here that what these guys want more than anything, is to remain in control. So by your own words, Asad retains that which matters most to him. So what's his punishment for gassing little kids, that maybe he gives up his chemical weapons, forcing him to go back to shooting little kids like he has done for years?

[buckman]

Originally Posted by spence

You pass a UN mandate to collect and destroy them with conditions for repercussions on any use or possession post mandate.


The point of air strikes would be sufficient punishment that Syria didn't use them again. If they voluntarily give them up that has been accomplished with much less risk of escalation.

It's an implicit acknowledgment by Russia that the attack wasn't a rebel stunt as was proposed. Assad is slapped with a UN resolution that will limit his military options and leaves the door open for further action depending on future humanitarian issues.

Putin doesn't really gain anything, Assad loses and Obama doesn't have to face a potential backlash...USA wins.

-spence

It is a proven stall tactic! Where do you think Assad aquired these weapons..... Hmmmm Russia maybe .
Russia isn't aknowledging anything but they are volunteering to look over the hen .
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device