Syria Gas Attack- What Now?

[Scotth]

I read this piece today about two Senator floating a bill that:

The United States would give Syria 45 days to sign an international chemical weapons ban or face the wrath of American military might, under a draft resolution being circulated by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.).

The alternative to a use-of-force resolution could forestall an immediate American strike and create an incentive for Assad not to use chemical weapons against his own people again. It may also provide a rallying point for lawmakers who are reluctant to either approve strikes or reject the use of force outright.

The remainder of the story: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/senate-bill-syria-weapons-ban-96353.html?hp=l16

It might allow everyone to save enough face so they can all walk away from the table and avoid the mess that is sure to follow this adventure.

 

[goon175]

So what the good Senators are proposing is..... drawing ANOTHER red line.

That makes sense.

 

[Chopstick]

I move that we just send Obama and the Senators. Can I get a second?

 

[DA SWO]

I read this piece today about two Senator floating a bill that:



The remainder of the story: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/senate-bill-syria-weapons-ban-96353.html?hp=l16

It might allow everyone to save enough face so they can all walk away from the table and avoid the mess that is sure to follow this adventure.

Agree, and we can let the Russians "secure" the sites in-place.

Then John Kerry can run against Hillary in the 2016 Dem Primary.

Win-win!

 

[Marauder06]

I read this piece today about two Senator floating a bill that:



The remainder of the story: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/senate-bill-syria-weapons-ban-96353.html?hp=l16

It might allow everyone to save enough face so they can all walk away from the table and avoid the mess that is sure to follow this adventure.

Thanks for posting that, Scott.

When I first read it, I was relieved because this gives us, like you said, a face-saving way out of this mess. At the same time though, what if Assad DOES used chem weapons again, even after our new, "really, REALLY red line?" That doesn't change the fundamental calculus, IMO, which remains: no national interests at stake + no guaratee of a better outcome for the US if Assad goes, + large potential for major unintended negative consequences = no war for the US in Syria. So I don't agree with going to war now, or later, against Syria unless something in the equation I posted above changes dramatically.

 

[TLDR20]

I move that we just send President Obama and the Senators. Can I get a second?

Fixed it for you.

 

[Marine0311]

Mod Note:

1. POTUS is to be addressed properly as we talked about several pages back.
2. If you have nothing constructive to add move on or move out.

 

[DA SWO]

Thanks for posting that, Scott.

When I first read it, I was relieved because this gives us, like you said, a face-saving way out of this mess. At the same time though, what if Assad DOES used chem weapons again, even after our new, "really, REALLY red line?" That doesn't change the fundamental calculus, IMO, which remains: no national interests at stake + no guaratee of a better outcome for the US if Assad goes, + large potential for major unintended negative consequences = no war for the US in Syria. So I don't agree with going to war now, or later, against Syria unless something in the equation I posted above changes dramatically.

Win-win for us.

We blame the Russians for allowing it to happen.

 

[x SF med]

Huh?

No profile, no answers.

 

[goon175]

I think Dennis Miller has a great idea:

"We should become Syria's Investment Counselor, apply our principles, bankrupt them into the Stone Age and declare victory."

 

[Kaboom]

Man this is getting out of hand.

Ironically everyone i know is cheering for Russia showing balls. Religious ties and hate for USA are still going strong here.

 

[Chopstick]

Fixed it for you.

Your president , not mine. I didnt vote for him.

 

[Chopstick]

Mod Note:

1. POTUS is to be addressed properly as we talked about several pages back.
2. If you have nothing constructive to add move on or move out.

If you are referring to my post, let me clarify. If the leaders of this country namely the Senators that seem to hot to be involved in Syria had children and/or in the military that may be directly involved in this action. And I mean directly, not a desk job somewhere. I wonder how anxious they would be to move forward in Syria under the circumstances?

 

[surgicalcric]

...It might allow everyone to save enough face so they can all walk away from the table and avoid the mess that is sure to follow this adventure.

I disagree. It will do nothing to help the US save face instead it will appear as just another line in the sand because the US isnt dedicated to doing anything useful.

Fact is we sent the signal to the world that we didnt mean what we said, and we could be pushed around diplomatically when we stood by and allowed NK continue with their program. Now they are watching this debacle go down in Syria. In light of the recent lin in the sand I found this article interesting http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/0...orth-korea-syrias-silent-partner-on-chemical/

Why some will use the article as further reason to do something about Syria, I am not convinced it will do anything to curb NK. Why would it? NK is now a nuclear power and as such we wouldnt dare contemplate firing a few cruise missles at Pyong Yang with their ability to strike back at our allies with their newly developed nuclear arsennal not to mention their chemical weapons.

BTW, neither Syria or NK are signatories to the chemical weapons treaty.

 

[surgicalcric]

Your president , not mine. I didnt vote for him.

Chop,

I understand your point but your "personal" presidential choice or not he is The President of the United States and as such is, and should be, afforded the respect due The Office of the President.

Officers in various other specialties and branches arent "my" officers and I may disagree with their decisions but at the end of the day they are still Military Officers and as such I render to them the respect due the position they are in and the rank they hold.

 

[TLDR20]

Your president , not mine. I didnt vote for him.

Are you an American? Last I checked he was the President of the United States of America. So in fact he is your president. Just because you don't vote for something or someone does not change the reality.

 

[Brill]

Just because you don't vote for something or someone does not change the reality.

Ok, ok, ok! we get it: you and The Troll are tied for first at 74.4%.

 

[pardus]

BTW, neither Syria or NK and signatories to the chemical weapons treaty.

See that right there is a huge issue if we are talking about attacking a country for using them.

 

[pardus]

Man this is getting out of hand.

Ironically everyone i know is cheering for Russia showing balls. Religious ties and hate for USA are still going strong here.

I'm curious, where does the hate for the USA come from?

 

[Poccington]

This promise of "no boots on the ground" etc. that they're using to try get the go ahead for action to begin, is just helping them dig a bigger hole for themselves. It's gonna end up being right up there with the "red line" talk in terms of stupidity.

No boots on the ground? All well and good now, so what happens if(God forbid) a US jet was to be downed inside Syria?