The timing is obviously highly suspicious. The other question that one should ask is, given that the Syrian regime *knows* that the use of chemical weapons is a red line and that Assad has been successfully pushing the rebels back, what reason would there be for the Syrian government to use these sorts of weapons?
They are doing more than ok without them. Why would they risk an escalation or a withdrawal of support from Russia by crossing this line.
The only reason they would use these sorts of weapons is if an existential threat was casting doubt on the survival of the regime. We are nowhere near this - in fact quite the opposite, the regime appears to be consolidating power.
I tend to agree with Bill on this one. Israel is petulant but not crazy. They like to act when they know they have impunity. In this case, the US has NO interest in an escalation with Russia and will slap down Israel when it gets to that point. They will whine and cry and decry their decisions, but ultimately the US is not really in any position to escalate this without risking total collapse.
I can even see Putin stop the shipment and sign on a UN no fly zone (for a price) if he was sure this would not give the rebels a NATO air force.
I'm not sure about that. Russia clearly considers Tartus a strategic asset. It is the last remaining port on the Med friendly to Russia in a strategic sense (Cyprus is not quite in this category). They will want it kept open to them and keep the corridor open for Iran, lest the US/Israel be able to cut off Hezbollah and take them down, then feel the need to go into Iran. Russia really wants to ensure that they can keep the gas (err...monopoly of gas) flowing to Europe. Anything that threatens this is of absolute primary importance to them.
Also, given what happend in Libya with the UN resolution and the no-fly-zone-cum-regime-change, neither Russia nor China will believe a word the west says about these matters from that point forward.
I am a fan of Dr Cole, however, this sad cheerleading really undermines his credibility. Even if the President did accomplish *some* good (some of these really are a stretch), the truth is that he has been a strong net negative for the Bill of Rights. Our 'rights' are contracting, not expanding, and he has very clearly accelerated this process.
I must say that I agree with Lennart. I used to believe that Obama was at least sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians. However his policies - in many areas - clearly illustrate that President Obama does not share the views of Candidate Obama.
I agree that he will be a one term president as well. Good riddance.
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I agree Kronoberger.
The timing is obviously highly suspicious. The other question that one should ask is, given that the Syrian regime *knows* that the use of chemical weapons is a red line and that Assad has been successfully pushing the rebels back, what reason would there be for the Syrian government to use these sorts of weapons?
They are doing more than ok without them. Why would they risk an escalation or a withdrawal of support from Russia by crossing this line.
The only reason they would use these sorts of weapons is if an existential threat was casting doubt on the survival of the regime. We are nowhere near this - in fact quite the opposite, the regime appears to be consolidating power.
In other words, this is total nonsense.
100% agree with Toby on this.
I tend to agree with Bill on this one. Israel is petulant but not crazy. They like to act when they know they have impunity. In this case, the US has NO interest in an escalation with Russia and will slap down Israel when it gets to that point. They will whine and cry and decry their decisions, but ultimately the US is not really in any position to escalate this without risking total collapse.
I can even see Putin stop the shipment and sign on a UN no fly zone (for a price) if he was sure this would not give the rebels a NATO air force.
I'm not sure about that. Russia clearly considers Tartus a strategic asset. It is the last remaining port on the Med friendly to Russia in a strategic sense (Cyprus is not quite in this category). They will want it kept open to them and keep the corridor open for Iran, lest the US/Israel be able to cut off Hezbollah and take them down, then feel the need to go into Iran. Russia really wants to ensure that they can keep the gas (err...monopoly of gas) flowing to Europe. Anything that threatens this is of absolute primary importance to them.
Also, given what happend in Libya with the UN resolution and the no-fly-zone-cum-regime-change, neither Russia nor China will believe a word the west says about these matters from that point forward.
@IResistDe4IAm - Well said.
I am a fan of Dr Cole, however, this sad cheerleading really undermines his credibility. Even if the President did accomplish *some* good (some of these really are a stretch), the truth is that he has been a strong net negative for the Bill of Rights. Our 'rights' are contracting, not expanding, and he has very clearly accelerated this process.
I must say that I agree with Lennart. I used to believe that Obama was at least sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians. However his policies - in many areas - clearly illustrate that President Obama does not share the views of Candidate Obama.
I agree that he will be a one term president as well. Good riddance.