Syria Gas Attack- What Now?

[JHD]

This whole situation feels like POTUS has started a game of Chicken, and he is desperate for someone else to blink first, while trying to figure out a way that doesn't force him to blink and save face. Regardless of the outcome, he has weakened the position of the US in the world. Those consequences will undoubtedly come back to bite us in the ass at some point.

 

[Chopstick]

It just keeps getting better and better.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...87c1f6-18b8-11e3-8685-5021e0c41964_story.html

Iran won Iraqi support for its efforts to oppose a U.S.-led military strike on Syria during a visit to Baghdad on Sunday by the new Iranian foreign minister, highlighting how close the two countries have grown since U.S. forces withdrew in 2011.

“Those who are short-sighted and are beating the drums of war are starting a fire that will burn everyone,” Zarif said during a news conference.

Standing alongside him, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said all of Syria’s neighbors, including Iraq, would be harmed by American involvement in Syria’s two-year-old conflict.

“What I can say conclusively is that Iraq will not be a base for any attack, nor will it facilitate any such attack on Syria,” Zebari told reporters after holding talks with Zarif.

 

[Marine0311]

POTUS was wrong to say what he said. The follow up statement ...."I didn't say....." was classic backpedaling and poor leadership throughout.

 

[Chopstick]

And apparently the US will have no military allies in a strike but we will have some "feel good" moral support. Which Im sure will be a huge help. :wall:

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/de.../2013/09/08/id/524403?s=al&promo_code=14CD1-1

The United States has no military allies in its plan to launch missile attacks against Syria as punishment for the country's use of chemical weapons, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said Sunday.

McDonough conceded the fact on CNN's "State of the Union" after persistent questioning from host Candy Crowley, who asked him whether President Barack Obama has secured international military support for the strike — as opposed to moral support.

"Not at this point," he said. "But it is specific support for holding him [Syrian President Bashar Assad] to account, and it is a recognition that it happened. We feel very good about the support we have, and we’ll continue to build more."

 

[goon175]

I can't believe Gen. Dempsey was fired!

 

[Chopstick]

What is one more General biting the dust? :whatever:
You know shit is getting real when Hollyweird starts to weigh in:
Ed Asner explains the deafening Hollywood silence on Syria.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/syria-why-hollywoods-anti-war-623326?imw=Y

A lot of people don't want to feel anti-black by being opposed to Obama," he said.

However, Cher throws down with her twitter post:
https://twitter.com/cher

I Believe,If Pres.Obama,Bombs Syria,it might b His Downfall.He could go From Loved 2 Loathed.U Cant Go Against The Will Of 80%

 

[Marauder06]

I can't believe Gen. Dempsey was fired!

Too bad, I kind of liked that guy. Total BS that Secretary Kerry fired him.

IKIS

 

[TLDR20]

I can't believe Gen. Dempsey was fired!

I love good satire. Well done sir.

 

[goon175]

China says to proceed with caution...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013...urce=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=992637

 

[Chopstick]

From your link @goon175 :

French President Francois Hollande, increasingly under pressure at home and among European partners to seek a U.N. mandate before any military intervention in Syria, suggested on Saturday he could seek a resolution at the Security Council despite previous Russian and Chinese vetoes.

Kerry said the White House is "listening carefully" to Hollande's comments, but that Obama had not made a decision.

Let me see if I have this right...
So, if from what Ive been reading and seeing on the news, to recap, we have no military allies but we do have "feel good support" from France and Saudi Arabia and "a bunch of other countries we cant name" but France may cave even with their "feel good support" due to public pressure , General Dempsey publicly deferring to the Secretary of State in a hearing on the subject, no definite "without a doubt" evidence that these chemical weapons were used by Assad vs the resistance (or evidence that can be revealed even to our Congress it is so top secret) and China and Russia warning retaliation, Iran and Iraq getting cozy, POTUS going on a full court press to get everyone in Congress to vote to let him bomb Syria, but he doesnt need their approval because he is POTUS and he alone will make the final decision, there will be "no boots on the ground" or Senator John McCain will impeach POTUS but there is language being bantered about "boots on the ground" for "direct combat purposes" leaving the door open to "boots on the ground" and dont forget, there is a sequester on and dont forget our borrowing limit runs out in mid-October. Did I get all that? So...is this really a good idea to bomb Syria? Should our leader even be entertaining this idea?

 

[RetPara]

Does 'boots on the ground' include CSAR?

 

[DA SWO]

Does 'boots on the ground' include CSAR?

No, BOG generally applies to people who don't leave. CSAR is get in, grab the survivor, get out; so BOG does not apply.

SF supporting the rebels would be considered BOG.

 

[Scotth]

Russians might just come in to be the hero's in all this mess.

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian foreign minister says Moscow will push Syria to place its chemical weapons under international control.

Sergey Lavrov said Monday that if such a move would help avert a possible U.S. strike on Syria, Russia will start work “immediately” to persuade Syria to relinquish control over its chemical arsenals.

Lavrov told reporters that Russia would urge Syria to concentrate its chemical weapons in certain areas under international oversight and then dismantle them.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/r...apons-under-international-control.php?ref=fpb

 

[pardus]

Syria 'welcomes' proposal to hand over control of chemical weapons


http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/09/politics/syria-kerry/index.html

Seems like the administration is determined to attack regardless of what happens, or at least giving themselves the option to do so.

 

[DA SWO]

Syria 'welcomes' proposal to hand over control of chemical weapons

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/09/politics/syria-kerry/index.html

Seems like the administration is determined to attack regardless of what happens, or at least giving themselves the option to do so.

This is the best option, let the Russians control the stockpile.

Poor POTUS, losing his chance to emulate "Wild Bill" Clinton.

 

[Chopstick]

I dont know if our government can look any less credible or any more ridiculous after the gaffe Secretary Kerry threw out in London this morning. Even ABC is referring to Secretary Kerry as the "Accidental Diplomat" I dont suppose anyone thought that the Russians would pick up the ball and run with it.
The video is must see TV.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/accidental-diplomat-john-kerrys-decent-proposal-20205421

And Senator Reid delays the test vote shortly after he set it for Wednesday.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/09/harry-reid-syria-vote_n_3896336.html

The Senate is delaying a test vote on authorizing U.S. military strikes against Syria.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says it wouldn't be beneficial to hold the vote while international discussions continue regarding Syria's use of chemical weapons.

Reid says it's not important to, quote, "see how fast we can do this." He adds, "We have to see how well we can do this."

Reid's action Monday comes amid increased opposition in the Senate to a U.S. military intervention in Syria.

The Nevada Democrat had planned a full Senate vote Wednesday. It's unclear when that might happen now.

 

[pardus]

Hillary just threatened Russia. Seriously? :wall:

I'm glad the Senate are waiting, smart move.

 

[Chopstick]

Hillary just threatened Russia. Seriously? :wall:

Yeah, what the heck was THAT?

 

[AWP]

Hillary just threatened Russia. Seriously? :wall:

Yeah, what the heck was THAT?

Posturing in response to her critics who say she hasn't been vocal enough during the crisis.

If Russia pulls this off, Putin is a pimp who became a serious contender for a Nobel.

 

[Chopstick]

Posturing in response to her critics who say she hasn't been vocal enough during the crisis.

But WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE!?