Syria

[DDoug]

Could the situation in Syria trigger a world war if we go in . Russia already said they would back Assad

[kittygilchrist]

oh good grief...of course, it's Armageddon. Why didn't I think of that?
Zech 11, Ezek 38, Rev 12, Zech 14, Luke 21

Nope, it can't happen yet...no Antichrist..

[Irishmen]

oh good grief...of course, it's Armageddon. Why didn't I think of that?
Zech 11, Ezek 38, Rev 12, Zech 14, Luke 21

Nope, it can't happen yet...no Antichrist..

I think it's a legit point from the OP.

[rubicon]

The Syria situation is playing out like an scene from the keystone kops beginning with the US.

I take personal umbrage at the manner in which Washington openly debates what should be private and state information because they are accomplishing openly what they accused Ed Snowden of privately.

It is one thing to take its case to the people but my God they are debating strategy that belongs only in a round table meeting at the Pentagon.

The fact remains that this Admin and congress have little resolve and if they did attempt anything it would be half heartedly and frankly we are better off doing nothing.

This Admin mishandled the middle East from the beginning and hence we have a stronger Iran, Egypt in disarray, Benghazi scandal and, Iraq and Afgan returning power to terrorist .

Under those circumstances and the denials on who drew the red line just exactly who is going to trust America's leadership?

So we have little chance of a world war because all of us will just blink and deflate and innocent people will continue to die under barbaric solutions to a dictators problems

[kittygilchrist]

I think it's a legit point from the OP.

One never knows, do one?

[quirky3]

I worry that if the US decides to take unilateral action independent of the United Nations, it can intensify the negative feelings that already exist (both ways) between middle eastern countries and the US, and darken the feelings of people who have been moderates in the past. It could prolong and enlarge the cycle of frustrations, and give both sides more fuel for feeling justified in future aggression.

I don't know if you read the pope's advice, but I thought it was good.
“To the leaders present at the G2, to each and every one, I make a heartfelt appeal for them to help find ways to overcome the conflicting positions and to lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution,” Francis wrote.

“Confronted with similar acts one cannot remain silent, and the Holy See hopes that the competent institutions make clear what happened and that those responsible face justice,”

[kittygilchrist]

The Syria situation is playing out like an scene from the keystone kops beginning with the US.

I take personal umbrage at the manner in which Washington openly debates what should be private and state information because they are accomplishing openly what they accused Ed Snowden of privately.

It is one thing to take its case to the people but my God they are debating strategy that belongs only in a round table meeting at the Pentagon.

The fact remains that this Admin and congress have little resolve and if they did attempt anything it would be half heartedly and frankly we are better off doing nothing.

This Admin mishandled the middle East from the beginning and hence we have a stronger Iran, Egypt in disarray, Benghazi scandal and, Iraq and Afgan returning power to terrorist .

Under those circumstances and the denials on who drew the red line just exactly who is going to trust America's leadership?

So we have little chance of a world war because all of us will just blink and deflate and innocent people will continue to die under barbaric solutions to a dictators problems

Rubicon, You say really smart things very articulately.
The defense minister nearly choked when Kerry wanted him to say it didn't make any difference militarily that we blabbed our surprise attack, took it back, and went to (televised)committee.

[Bucco]

One never knows, do one?

ANYTIME you start bombing an area that is very unstable, and has WMD's available, in addition to a region that has shown a total disregard for human life, things are possible.

I do think that it is a remote chance,but every time I do not think that way,I am reminded of a book I read about the sarin attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995 by a cult...a cult. It detailed their search for nuclear weapons initially and how easy (if you have the money) they were to get, mostly as a result of the USSR breakup. They found it easier to get the gas. This was a cult, not a terrorist org or a country.

Point is, these things are out there and insuring stability is the only way to feel, at least a bit, safe.

I am always reminded of this phrase when discussing action in the Middle East....KNOW YOUR ENEMIES

[DDoug]

In reference to the no Antichrist (are you sure)

[Bucco]

I worry that if the US decides to take unilateral action independent of the United Nations, it can intensify the negative feelings that already exist (both ways) between middle eastern countries and the US, and darken the feelings of people who have been moderates in the past. It could prolong and enlarge the cycle of frustrations, and give both sides more fuel for feeling justified in future aggression.

I don't know if you read the pope's advice, but I thought it was good.
“To the leaders present at the G2, to each and every one, I make a heartfelt appeal for them to help find ways to overcome the conflicting positions and to lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution,” Francis wrote.

“Confronted with similar acts one cannot remain silent, and the Holy See hopes that the competent institutions make clear what happened and that those responsible face justice,”

What you say is great, and possible a few years ago, but our foreign policy has been pretty confusing and incoherent in the Mideast. The assumption by our foreign policy that we can talk anyone into anything is not working.

This situation has been allowed to get out of control. As an example,there were threads started on this TOTV about Syria. Pretty much ignored by everyone here, which is not significant,but I bring it up to make a point.

We have ignored all of it, and this morning heard two military "experts" on CNN refer to the last few weeks and our policy in the region as "embarrassing" to the country. We, with our naive and arrogant know it all attitude, are/have backed our country into a corner.

We are talking about these chemical strikes, yet the admin has mislead the country, spent time and still do trying to ignore the killing of a USA ambassador. More time was spent on the POLITICAL ramifications of that attack on a US embassy that on this Syrian situation.

The Holy Father is on the right track. I was for simply backing our president, but watching the last weeks antics, I have changed my mind. He will not be embarrassed...it will be someone else's fault.

[JP]

Of course it could start a world war.

[chachacha]

since russian scientists are on the ground in syria working on their military efforts, we would end up killing russians and a third world war is a very real possibility...it makes one realize how things got slowly out of hand in past world conflagrations while citizens stood by helplessly discussing the possibilities! i am fasting and praying.

[kittygilchrist]

since russian scientists are on the ground in syria working on their military efforts, we would end up killing russians and a third world war is a very real possibility...it makes one realize how things got slowly out of hand in past world conflagrations while citizens stood by helplessly discussing the possibilities! i am fasting and praying.

keep up the good work, Dianne. You're doing something meaningful.
I read that Syrian defectors say Russia and Iran were supervising dissemination of the nerve gas.

[Madelaine Amee]

Could the situation in Syria trigger a world war if we go in.

No, they are like kids in a school playground, pushing and shoving and making all manner of noises, but in the background there are real people talking, talking and talking.

If there was a world war everyone would be annihilated, none of these idiots are that stupid!

I think Assad will come up with some grand gesture of destroying weapons and things will go back to just killing people with guns and rockets.

[Bucco]

No, they are like kids in a school playground, pushing and shoving and making all manner of noises, but in the background there are real people talking, talking and talking.

If there was a world war everyone would be annihilated, none of these idiots are that stupid!

I think Assad will come up with some grand gesture of destroying weapons and things will go back to just killing people with guns and rockets.

I certainly hope you are right (imagine saying that when you talk about killing people with guns and rockets), but exactly who are these "real people" you mention......and on what grounds do you eliminate stupidity from what has occurred in the last 2 weeks or so ?

[Madelaine Amee]

I certainly hope you are right (imagine saying that when you talk about killing people with guns and rockets), but exactly who are these "real people" you mention......and on what grounds do you eliminate stupidity from what has occurred in the last 2 weeks or so ?

All the nations leaders travel with an entourage of highly intelligent people who really know what is going on, not the type of things we get to hear. You will never find a CEO of a major corporation traveling without his henchmen, they do the deals and the big guy comes in and smiles for the camera.

As for eliminating "stupidity" - impossible task. One says I'll blow your house down, the next says if you do I'll get my big brother to beat you up and on and on.

The problem right now is to see who backs down .......................

With so many nuclear weapons floating around in the world it would be mass destruction and then how would all these politicians, of EVERY nation, spend the money they have made through corruption whilst in office?

[quirky3]

I would like to think that someday we will learn from history and choose our actions differently (if you keep doing the same things, you will get the same results). Northern and southern Ireland, Hatfields and McCoys, Capulets and Montegues.... there must be a better way!

[rubicon]

I worry that if the US decides to take unilateral action independent of the United Nations, it can intensify the negative feelings that already exist (both ways) between middle eastern countries and the US, and darken the feelings of people who have been moderates in the past. It could prolong and enlarge the cycle of frustrations, and give both sides more fuel for feeling justified in future aggression.

I don't know if you read the pope's advice, but I thought it was good.
“To the leaders present at the G2, to each and every one, I make a heartfelt appeal for them to help find ways to overcome the conflicting positions and to lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution,” Francis wrote.

“Confronted with similar acts one cannot remain silent, and the Holy See hopes that the competent institutions make clear what happened and that those responsible face justice,”

quirky I share some of your concerns. However my view of the United Nations is that it has a great bias against America and frankly I might for appearances sake speak with them but never would I let them take the lead where America interests are vital

[Madelaine Amee]

I would like to think that someday we will learn from history and choose our actions differently (if you keep doing the same things, you will get the same results). Northern and southern Ireland, Hatfields and McCoys, Capulets and Montegues.... there must be a better way!

You gotta go back to the beginning time (as we know it). It's human nature, ego's and power - oh, and throw in a big chunk of greed.

[Golfingnut]

I would like to think that someday we will learn from history and choose our actions differently (if you keep doing the same things, you will get the same results). Northern and southern Ireland, Hatfields and McCoys, Capulets and Montegues.... there must be a better way!

If we attack Syria without wide agreement from the members of the UN we will be a guilty as Assad. We will be inviting violent retaliation and will deserve it. One nation making such a decision is no different than Syria deciding to use chemical weapons to defend their country on their own. Shame on us if we do this.

[rubicon]

Anything is possible. However the international scene has changed since the cold war days. As it stands now it appears that the most troublesome area is the middle east and these countries are so divided that they could never garner enough power to threaten a war of that scale.

However, having said that terrorist threats are and will always be a part of the American landscape. It is why we have to be aggressive but apply an intelligent strategy to stay ahead of these people because they have no concern for the consequences of the acts and would leash anything upon us without a second thought . Trying to reason with these fanatics is like trying to talk to a drunk.

[murray607]

Could the situation in Syria trigger a world war if we go in . Russia already said they would back Assad

It kind of reminds me of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Lots of posturing and cold hard stares.

OMG am I that old, I can remember that.

[DaleMN]

NO. :doh:

[janmcn]

If we attack Syria without wide agreement from the members of the UN we will be a guilty as Assad. We will be inviting violent retaliation and will deserve it. One nation making such a decision is no different than Syria deciding to use chemical weapons to defend their country on their own. Shame on us if we do this.


Except that Assad violated the almost hundred year old treaty signed by 98% of the countries of the world when he used chemical weapons against his own citizens. Why do we even have this treaty if no one is willing to enforce it? Why don't we just throw it out and say it's okay to use chemical weapons?

[Bucco]

Except that Assad violated the almost hundred year old treaty signed by 98% of the countries of the world when he used chemical weapons against his own citizens. Why do we even have this treaty if no one is willing to enforce it? Why don't we just throw it out and say it's okay to use chemical weapons?

I assume you are aware that this is not the first time that Syria has used chemical weapons and that the USA was aware of the others !!!

"Administration officials say the evidence for previous chemical attacks wasn't as compelling, and critics acknowledge it would have been even harder to make the case for a military response to more limited use of the banned weapons. But some current and former officials say the slow response by the White House raises questions about whether earlier, clearer warnings by Obama — and perhaps limited actions such as providing sophisticated weapons to Syrian rebels — could have deterred last month's attack in Damascus suburbs."

U.S. saw yearlong rise in chemical weapons use by Syria - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-intel-20130907,0,2289261.story)

From the same link....

"But on Wednesday, Secretary of State John F. Kerry told lawmakers that the U.S. knew of 11 chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian government before the August incident, more than double the number the administration had divulged previously. "

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Except that Assad violated the almost hundred year old treaty signed by 98% of the countries of the world when he used chemical weapons against his own citizens. Why do we even have this treaty if no one is willing to enforce it? Why don't we just throw it out and say it's okay to use chemical weapons?

But Syria never signed this treaty so they are not breaking any treaties.

[ilovetv]

Except that Assad violated the almost hundred year old treaty signed by 98% of the countries of the world when he used chemical weapons against his own citizens. Why do we even have this treaty if no one is willing to enforce it? Why don't we just throw it out and say it's okay to use chemical weapons?

Right now: Where ARE those 98% of countries who signed, forming the "red line" not to cross with chemical weapon attacks? So far, I've only heard Turkey and Israel would back us in an attack on Syria.

I think we're being pulled into this so the USA is used, to take the blame. AND for them to be spectators and eat popcorn at the game, watching us spend ourselves to death some more.

[billethkid]

I guess the term "world war" needs some clarification. It is aterm from the past when there were identifiable armies associated with a given enemy.
Most modern countries with similar weapons/military capabilities of the USA are not likely to be pulled into a let's call it a global conflict.
The economics needs of these countries are very intertwined and dependent upon each other. So there is no real reason for them to go to war over the current or similar regional squabbles. Of course as Russia is currently doing, they will bluster their views and support for almost anybody against the USA. Most of Russia's positioning is a game of one upsmanship against Obama. Putin being a professional military man is toying with Obama.

The worry is the guerrilla style mid east bombings/killing way of daily life comes to America. Think about a suicide bomb in a movie theatre or shopping mall or sporting event, or power station, etc. It would not take very much of this real terrorism to significantly change the way of life as we know it.

That is what I worry about coming to America.

Btk