Syria

[Udayana]

But Ricky was saying, or words to this effect, that the whole thing could have been staged by the anti-Assad lot and now that buffoon has gone in and taken the bait.

Well ... so what?

According to the Russians America is behind the rebels and ISIS anyway so, we can assume, the whole of Syria is just a stage for play acting. Trump, as a buffoon, is just a part of the show.

If everyone waited for everything to be proved from evidence or first principles before acting, things would be a bit slow.

[ad_orientem]

Well ... so what?

According to the Russians America is behind the rebels and ISIS anyway so, we can assume, the whole of Syria is just a stage for play acting. Trump, as a buffoon, is just a part of the show.

If everyone waited for everything to be proved from evidence or first principles before acting, things would be a bit slow.

Strike first think later? That's what they did in Iraq, isn't it? No wait! They outright lied. How do we know that they aren't now?

[Jack Knave]

Well ... so what?

According to the Russians America is behind the rebels and ISIS anyway so, we can assume, the whole of Syria is just a stage for play acting. Trump, as a buffoon, is just a part of the show.

If everyone waited for everything to be proved from evidence or first principles before acting, things would be a bit slow.

So if it was shown that the whole thing was an America fake news thing you would still be fine with the fact that Trump went and bombed the place on this "fake news"?

[Udayana]

Strike first think later? That's what they did in Iraq, isn't it? No wait! They outright lied. How do we know that they aren't now?

Agree that invasion of Iraq was based on lies, however this is not at all the same kind of action. Neither is it "shoot first, think later", it seems to be have been carefully thought out. If Russia has any evidence that the chemical stores were being kept by the rebels they should have come out with it prior to the US strike. I understand that the area was under surveillance by Russian drones prior to the attack by the Syrian planes.

I don't support Trump in any way and am sure he can lie just as well as Bush, Putin and the rest .. if it did turn out that it was a false flag operation, he could well try and cover that up later. However, to this point it is a "win" for him, though only a limited action with longer term policy still uncertain. I think Obama got it wrong in not making a similar strike after the sarin attack in 2013 - possibly the continued escalation of the war could have been stopped.
 

[Nearly Sane]

Agree that invasion of Iraq was based on lies, however this is not at all the same kind of action. Neither is it "shoot first, think later", it seems to be have been carefully thought out. If Russia has any evidence that the chemical stores were being kept by the rebels they should have come out with it prior to the US strike. I understand that the area was under surveillance by Russian drones prior to the attack by the Syrian planes.

I don't support Trump in any way and am sure he can lie just as well as Bush, Putin and the rest .. if it did turn out that it was a false flag operation, he could well try and cover that up later. However, to this point it is a "win" for him, though only a limited action with longer term policy still uncertain. I think Obama got it wrong in not making a similar strike after the sarin attack in 2013 - possibly the continued escalation of the war could have been stopped.
 

it seems to have been carefully thought out? By what? An etch a sketch and a used tampon?

[Jack Knave]

Agree that invasion of Iraq was based on lies, however this is not at all the same kind of action. Neither is it "shoot first, think later", it seems to be have been carefully thought out. If Russia has any evidence that the chemical stores were being kept by the rebels they should have come out with it prior to the US strike. I understand that the area was under surveillance by Russian drones prior to the attack by the Syrian planes.

I don't support Trump in any way and am sure he can lie just as well as Bush, Putin and the rest .. if it did turn out that it was a false flag operation, he could well try and cover that up later. However, to this point it is a "win" for him, though only a limited action with longer term policy still uncertain. I think Obama got it wrong in not making a similar strike after the sarin attack in 2013 - possibly the continued escalation of the war could have been stopped.
 

But Assad is winning, or more so than the rebels etc., so why would he do such a provocative actions as this? It doesn't make sense. What makes sense is that it has been concocted by the Allies to try to force Russia to back off from Assad, which is what they are trying to do.

[Udayana]

So if it was shown that the whole thing was an America fake news thing you would still be fine with the fact that Trump went and bombed the place on this "fake news"?

He made a limited strike against airfield/aircraft with prior warning to the Russians. 

[Nearly Sane]

He made a limited strike against airfield/aircraft with prior warning to the Russians.

Which is then followed by Fuckyou Fallon offering a punch up

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britain-would-ready-fight-war-9174000

[Udayana]

But Assad is winning, or more so than the rebels etc., so why would he do such a provocative actions as this? It doesn't make sense. What makes sense is that it has been concocted by the Allies to try to force Russia to back off from Assad, which is what they are trying to do.

Assad takes no action or ineffective action against him as encouragement to escalate.

Really? That makes no sense given American policy and action prior to the attack by Assad.

[Nearly Sane]

Assad takes no action or ineffective action against him as encouragement to escalate.

Really? That makes no sense given American policy and action prior to the attack by Assad.

And Assad using chemical weapons on the eve of a conference where the US Govt is on the verge of supporting his right to stay makes sense?

[Udayana]

Which is then followed by Fuckyou Fallon offering a punch up

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britain-would-ready-fight-war-9174000

He's going to jump up and down shouting on the side for two years whilst we get ready?  We couldn't even get agreement from the G7 to impose sanctions earlier today.

[Jack Knave]

He made a limited strike against airfield/aircraft with prior warning to the Russians.

It's the wedge that it provides that is the real problem here, to force Putin to leave Assad out to dry.

[Nearly Sane]

He's going to jump up and down shouting on the side for two years whilst we get ready?  We couldn't even get agreement from the G7 to impose sanctions earlier today.

Apparently, but then he isn't the drunk in the street, though he has form on that,he is the defence Secretary


https://tompride.wordpress.com/2016/12/11/visibly-drunk-michael-fallon-had-to-be-forcibly-separated-from-attractive-russian-spy-by-a-minder/

[Udayana]

And Assad using chemical weapons on the eve of a conference where the US Govt is on the verge of supporting his right to stay makes sense?

Strangely it does ... America gives him more room so he uses it.

[Udayana]

It's the wedge that it provides that is the real problem here, to force Putin to leave Assad out to dry.

Is that not what we want anyway?

[Jack Knave]

Assad takes no action or ineffective action against him as encouragement to escalate.

Really? That makes no sense given American policy and action prior to the attack by Assad.

But he is winning, why fuck it up and risk using chemical weapons?

That's what makes no sense: For Assad to kick himself in the bollocks like this.

[Jack Knave]

Is that not what we want anyway?

But if it is shown to be a false flag then the West's high ground has gone - oh wait that went decades ago; but if we want Putin to leave Crimea etc. this won't exactly help.

[Nearly Sane]

Strangely it does ... America gives him more room so he uses it.

sorry, you have to expand that?

[Udayana]

sorry, you have to expand that?

With relaxation of American pressure for his removal he furthers his efforts to terrorize the opposition. He has the advantage - Russia is committed to supporting him and is gaining influence, eg with Iran and Turkey, through it.   

[Ricky Spanish]

Did you hear of Sean Spicers slip up the other day?

He was asked by Kristen Welker of NBC to clarify Trump's administration position on removing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power.

“The goal for the United States is twofold, it’s, emm, one, to make sure we destabilise Syria emm.. emm, destabilise the conflict there, reduce the threat of ISIS. But then, secondly, is create the political environment, not just within the Syrian people, but I think you can have, ummm, work with Russia in particular, to make sure that they understand that Syria, backed up by Russia’s own accounting, should be held accountable for the agreements that its made with respect to its international agreements on chemical weapons alone.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9vnE4JWvrU

This guy makes BoJo look more intelligent than an amoeba!!

[Nearly Sane]

And of course this looks as if it were the 'good' baddies but they are on 'our' side. What a mess.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-39613313

[Nearly Sane]

Another year and...

[floo]

Trump as usual is making a complete idiot of himself, but one which could have dangerous consequences for the whole planet! 

[Nearly Sane]

Trump as usual is making a complete idiot of himself, but one which could have dangerous consequences for the whole planet! 

What do you think should be done?

[wigginhall]

History repeats itself, etc.  I remember the Republicans criticizing Clinton as too war-like.