What Choice Should We Make?

[Guest]

There has been lots of discussion in this forum about what the U.S. should be doing in Syria and Iran. And lots of criticism of President Obama for seemingly not doing anything with regard to either, other than some rather tepid rhetoric. He's not drawn a line in the sand on either situation, threatened to take action, or even made strong threatening statements.

So let's make some choices here. If you were the POTUS, what would you do?

First of all, our unprovoked attack on either Syria or Iran would, in the opinion of almost all observers, result in a major regional land war. Our military is "sized" and has been for some time, to be able to fight two major wars simultaneously. For a couple of years we were "full up", with major deployments of forces to both Iraq and Afghanistan. At this point we are essentially out of Iraq. And we say we're going to leave Afghanistan in a year or two, although most experts say we'll have a major deployment of troops in that country for as much as a decade.

So it's probably fair to say we have a military force sized and funded to fight two wars at a time, and we're fighting one and will be for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, our military, particularly the Army and Marines are pretty "worn out", with much of their fighting forces having experienced more combat time as the result of multiple deployments than at any time in history.

As POTUS, you know all this. Unfortunately, so do those who may oppose us or eventually fight against us.

So, given the outcry from many of the more hawkish Americans that we should be "doing something" to both stop the slaughter of innocents in Syria, plus do whatever it takes to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon...what should we do? What would YOU do if you were POTUS?

Hmmm, not an easy question. Maybe it explains why Obama is so quiet on both issues, don't you think? No other country in the world is doing anything about those situations either, not even the major powers that could do something (like Russia or China or the U.K.), or countries neighboring both Syria and Iran (like Turkey or Saudi Arabia).

I'm not excusing Obama for saying nothing. But I will speak for myself. If I were in his shoes, I'm not at all sure what I'd say or do either.

[Guest]

What should we be doing in Syria and Iran.

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obama, as usual, is right in not getting us mixed up in these foreign boondoggles where all we do is burn through hundreds of billions of dollars, sacrifice more young american lives, and - in the end - accomplish nothing.

[Guest]

There has been lots of discussion in this forum about what the U.S. should be doing in Syria and Iran. And lots of criticism of President Obama for seemingly not doing anything with regard to either, other than some rather tepid rhetoric. He's not drawn a line in the sand on either situation, threatened to take action, or even made strong threatening statements.

So let's make some choices here. If you were the POTUS, what would you do?

First of all, our unprovoked attack on either Syria or Iran would, in the opinion of almost all observers, result in a major regional land war. Our military is "sized" and has been for some time, to be able to fight two major wars simultaneously. For a couple of years we were "full up", with major deployments of forces to both Iraq and Afghanistan. At this point we are essentially out of Iraq. And we say we're going to leave Afghanistan in a year or two, although most experts say we'll have a major deployment of troops in that country for as much as a decade.

So it's probably fair to say we have a military force sized and funded to fight two wars at a time, and we're fighting one and will be for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, our military, particularly the Army and Marines are pretty "worn out", with much of their fighting forces having experienced more combat time as the result of multiple deployments than at any time in history.

As POTUS, you know all this. Unfortunately, so do those who may oppose us or eventually fight against us.

So, given the outcry from many of the more hawkish Americans that we should be "doing something" to both stop the slaughter of innocents in Syria, plus do whatever it takes to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon...what should we do? What would YOU do if you were POTUS?

Hmmm, not an easy question. Maybe it explains why Obama is so quiet on both issues, don't you think? No other country in the world is doing anything about those situations either, not even the major powers that could do something (like Russia or China or the U.K.), or countries neighboring both Syria and Iran (like Turkey or Saudi Arabia).

I'm not excusing Obama for saying nothing. But I will speak for myself. If I were in his shoes, I'm not at all sure what I'd say or do either.

First of all, Russia IS doing something.....they are sending advanced missiles to Syria with a stated goal of keeping the West off their back. They are supplying missile equipment to Iran to assist them also (they join Iran in denying the reason for the "equipment") They are also sending helicopters to Syria (flying tanks). They have vetoed any idea of an arms embargo to Syria. I think it fair to say that Russia is quite active perhaps not in the arena as you depict it but active none the less.

The pressure in Turkey is building to do something includin warfare about the situation in Syria. There are already rumors that the Turks are helping the rebels in Syria, albeit because of the relationship between Obama and the Turkish prime minister, it is not a real advertised kind of help. They are dealing with all the refugee traffic and just in the last week asked the UN for some help as the UN appears to have given up. I also might add that Turkey is the home base for the rebels in Syria.

There is not another neighbor of Syria that has a strong government to do anything much at all.

And of course we all know that each day increases the nervous tension in Israel.

I appreciate the situation that Obama finds himself in, and despite my loathing for his politics, I am an American first and foremost and would support whatever action he might take, but I just wish he would make a strong statement to these situations. I actually would welcome him stating that he is putting his political future on hold to address these two MAJOR situations in the middle east.

Just speak up Mr President at this point....insure the world KNOWS loud and clear how we feel about what is going on. I understand the required restraint, and I also understand the differences in personalities that exist here, but this job requires LEADERSHIP.....speak up and do it loudly.

I sure do not want war of any kind.....but I also do not want to just bide our time. When he meets with Putin next week, say in the strongest possible way how much we abhor what is going on and are angry at Russia's open and obvious movement to the middle east.

[Guest]

...When he meets with Putin next week, say in the strongest possible way how much we abhor what is going on and are angry at Russia's open and obvious movement to the middle east.Unfortunately, and it really, really is unfortunate. But the meeting you describe immediately brought to mind a confrontation between two school boys. One makes a demand of the other, or else.

Then the response is,"...yeah, what are you going to do about it?"

There's not much we can do about it.

[Guest]

Unfortunately, and it really, really is unfortunate. But the meeting you describe immediately brought to mind a confrontation between two school boys. One makes a demand of the other, or else.

Then the response is,"...yeah, what are you going to do about it?"

There's not much we can do about it.

THEN VK...and I do not want to be glib....we are toast and will be living the prediction that our own systems will be used to destroy us.

If we cannot be strong and that does not always mean war, then we are indeed doomed.

[Guest]

Unfortunately, and it really, really is unfortunate. But the meeting you describe immediately brought to mind a confrontation between two school boys. One makes a demand of the other, or else.

Then the response is,"...yeah, what are you going to do about it?"

There's not much we can do about it.

Reminds me of a rule I held to as a father, a teacher, a coach, and a manager; never make a threat that you are not prepared to carry out.