Chemical Weapon used in Syria, Western military response likely

[Knut]

Originally Posted by polak

So I stopped following this a little while ago and now what's this I hear about WW3?

TLDR; Iran, China, Russia financially invested in Syria. Nato + Arab League on other side, with Saudi's wanting Assad out. WWIII unlikely though as any NATO response will be measured and they will not force regime change.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Hesla

TLDR; Iran, China, Russia financially invested in Syria. Nato + Arab League on other side, with Saudi's wanting Assad out. WWIII unlikely though as any NATO response will be measured and they will not force regime change.

Yeah at the very worst I think the Russian's make a point of annoying the Americans. fly bys in restricted areas, missile targeting locks, maybe even drop some subs doing torpedo acquisition drills in the middle of the American Naval Formation. Basically rattle some cages to let the American's know that they're there and this is their waters.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Hesla

TLDR; Iran, China, Russia financially invested in Syria. Nato + Arab League on other side, with Saudi's wanting Assad out. WWIII unlikely though as any NATO response will be measured and they will not force regime change.

I could see NATO/US making a few pinpoint strikes, but I can't see there response being as strong as it was in Libya. Russia will not like the idea of Nato shooting down planes they have given to Syria.

Although we could see some backroom deal to save face. Nato shoots down Russian plane in exchange for favor then Russia gives Syria updated planes once things have quieted down.

[Knut]

^ I think the Saudi's are trying to negotiate with Russia right now.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...ops-Syria.html

Essentially, Saudi Arabia is trying to get Russia to back off its support of Syria in exchange for Oil.

also this...

As-Safir said Prince Bandar pledged to safeguard Russia’s naval base in Syria if the Assad regime is toppled, but he also hinted at Chechen terrorist attacks on Russia’s Winter Olympics in Sochi if there is no accord. “I can give you a guarantee to protect the Winter Olympics next year. The Chechen groups that threaten the security of the games are controlled by us,” he allegedly said.

[Knut]

Changed the title to reflect the escalation of the situation.

EdIt: Cant change the title

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Changed the title to reflect the escalation of the situation.

EdIt: Cant change the title

Cant go into advanced and edit from there? As thread creator you should be able to.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Cant go into advanced and edit from there? As thread creator you should be able to.

I think that maybe there a maximum time limit on changing the title as there is no option to do so.

Oh well.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Hesla

It is tough one... one one hand you have to act to show a tough hand against Chemical Weapons, and their future use. On the other hand you could throw more chaos into the region.

I have a feeling it will be a measured response targeting some key Assad infrastructure and maybe his elite troops. Weaken Assad to try and force him to make a resolution with the rebels essentially. I do not think the US wants to get rid of him like the Saudi's do.

That's what I think. Hurt Assad, make a show of hurting Assad but stop short of aiding the rebels.

[puckluck2]

Hurting the military in any way will help the rebels.

If Assad is toppled, you will see the worst war the Middle East has ever seen and the state of Israel will be at stake.

I'm hoping nothing happens. As bad as Assad is and he's a complete doofus it will pale in comparison to what Syria will look like when he isn't in charge.

[jeffman]

Originally Posted by Hesla

^ I think the Saudi's are trying to negotiate with Russia right now.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...ops-Syria.html

Essentially, Saudi Arabia is trying to get Russia to back off its support of Syria in exchange for Oil.

also this...

Is that idiot actually trying to blackmail Putin?By admitting that he controls Chechen terrorists he's asking for a FSB hit squad or polonium tuna roll

[Azure]

Well I support airstrikes if there is 100% proof that chemical weapons were used. Not sure the videos are proof enough though.

[puckluck2]

Makes absolutely zero sense that Assad would risk everything to kill innocent people with chemicals when he's already destroying the rebels.

They'll be making a big mistake if they do plan on attacking Syria. Sure, they'll easily destroy it but the consequences will have massive effects for everyone.

[Azure]

Assad has done a lot of boneheaded things. Saying it would make zero sense for him to use chemical attacks doesn't exactly help your argument considering how many thousands of people have been killed in a war he has helped create.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by jeffman

Is that idiot actually trying to blackmail Putin?By admitting that he controls Chechen terrorists he's asking for a FSB hit squad or polonium tuna roll

That's what it sounds like.

Socchi could be a real disaster. There are a few militant groups that likely see it as a target to try and lure Russia into conflicts.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Azure

Assad has done a lot of boneheaded things. Saying it would make zero sense for him to use chemical attacks doesn't exactly help your argument considering how many thousands of people have been killed in a war he has helped create.

Well the United States helped create a war that has killed millions.

Assad isn't stupid, he is a very smart man. It goes against anything he has ever done. He'd shoot them before wanting to cause a storm like this. I would bet everything I own that that the chemical weapons were fired by rebels wanting America to get involved because they know that's the only chance they have.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Well the United States helped create a war that has killed millions.

Assad isn't stupid, he is a very smart man. It goes against anything he has ever done. He'd shoot them before wanting to cause a storm like this. I would bet everything I own that that the chemical weapons were fired by rebels wanting America to get involved because they know that's the only chance they have.

Why are you bringing the US into this? We were talking about Assad.

I agree that the videos alone are not enough proof, but I would honestly not be surprised if he had used chemical weapons considering his brutality throughout this whole conflict.

He is a smart man? Don't make him out to be more than he is. A brutal thug who made decisions that ended up helping kill thousands of innocent people.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by jeffman

Is that idiot actually trying to blackmail Putin?By admitting that he controls Chechen terrorists he's asking for a FSB hit squad or polonium tuna roll

You'd be surprised what the Saudis can get away with due to the influence their oil reserves create. The Saudis are by far the biggest funders of islamic militant groups. They not only fund Chechens, they also fund Al Queda, the Taliban, and Hamas, among many others.

They create wars for America and then sell them oil to fight them.

Saudi Arabia has also been trying to clear the middle east of its secular leaders for decades. They'd love nothing more than to have Assad replaced with a Sunni fundamentalist government.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Assad isn't stupid, he is a very smart man. It goes against anything he has ever done. He'd shoot them before wanting to cause a storm like this. I would bet everything I own that that the chemical weapons were fired by rebels wanting America to get involved because they know that's the only chance they have.

Biden will disagree with you.

Vice President Joe Biden made clear the administration's view of who was to blame, telling the American Legion that "there is no doubt who is responsible for the heinous use of chemical weapons -- the Syrian regime."

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/27/politi...html?hpt=hp_t1

[Shawnski]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Biden will disagree with you.



http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/27/politi...html?hpt=hp_t1

I love mainstream media lapdancers. Does anyone think for themselves anymore? Do they do any further investigations beyond the headlines?

Do you actually trust a few newsgroups (or worse, politicians) so much that you would put your backing into them without question?

Did we not learn anything from Iraq?

Do you not follow certain professional investigative reporters that are more likely to be trusted than the networks themselves? Michael Hastings for example... oh wait, he was blown to bits. (debate THAT one elsewhere if you like).

We could play the same game here on CP. Flood the headlines (threads) with titles of "Plan the Parade!", "Best Rookie Group", "Smartest Hockey Minds Running Show" etc and suppress any thread that wasn't conforming to those themes, but that would NOT fly here. Why? Many here have a passion to actually understand all the facts on the Flames, but when it comes to world events, US Politics, economics, monetary policy and other aspects, your desire to delve deeper into each issue is quite often limited to just what the mainstream media is pumping out to you. "Control the media, control the minds".

Stay our of Syria. The US, UK, Canada, EU, NATO, etc, whatever.... stay the hell out. It is a mistake X 10 vis-a-vis Iraq, if not more.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by Shawnski

I love mainstream media lapdancers. Does anyone think for themselves anymore? Do they do any further investigations beyond the headlines?

Do you actually trust a few newsgroups (or worse, politicians) so much that you would put your backing into them without question?

Did we not learn anything from Iraq?

Do you not follow certain professional investigative reporters that are more likely to be trusted than the networks themselves? Michael Hastings for example... oh wait, he was blown to bits. (debate THAT one elsewhere if you like).

We could play the same game here on CP. Flood the headlines (threads) with titles of "Plan the Parade!", "Best Rookie Group", "Smartest Hockey Minds Running Show" etc and suppress any thread that wasn't conforming to those themes, but that would NOT fly here. Why? Many here have a passion to actually understand all the facts on the Flames, but when it comes to world events, US Politics, economics, monetary policy and other aspects, your desire to delve deeper into each issue is quite often limited to just what the mainstream media is pumping out to you. "Control the media, control the minds".

Stay our of Syria. The US, UK, Canada, EU, NATO, etc, whatever.... stay the hell out. It is a mistake X 10 vis-a-vis Iraq, if not more.

Your post made me angry, as I don't like a lot of what you said.

Then I looked at your avatar, and completely forgot why I was angry.