Syria - will the hawks stay on their perches?

[Clinton Huxley]

All hotting up in Syria after the sickening massacre of civilians, including children, in the news now. Diplomats expelled, newspapers (eg the Times) calling for WAR. China and particularly Russia holding out to protect their own commercial and geopolitical interests and vetoing resolutions at the UN.

So, should "the West" intervene? Can we intervene if the Russians say "No"? Should the Syrian regime be given a kicking or is it none of our business how many of its own people it slaughters?
Do those with the ability to intervene have a responsibility to intervene? Or would we just make it worse?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

All hotting up in Syria after the sickening massacre of civilians, including children, in the news now. Diplomats expelled, newspapers (eg the Times) calling for WAR. China and particularly Russia holding out to protect their own commercial and geopolitical interests and vetoing resolutions at the UN.

So, should "the West" intervene? Can we intervene if the Russians say "No"? Should the Syrian regime be given a kicking or is it none of our business how many of its own people it slaughters?
Do those with the ability to intervene have a responsibility to intervene? Or would we just make it worse?

If we do, people will give us hell for it.
If we don't, people will give us hell for it.

[Coito ergo sum]

All hotting up in Syria after the sickening massacre of civilians, including children, in the news now. Diplomats expelled, newspapers (eg the Times) calling for WAR. China and particularly Russia holding out to protect their own commercial and geopolitical interests and vetoing resolutions at the UN.

So, should "the West" intervene? Can we intervene if the Russians say "No"? Should the Syrian regime be given a kicking or is it none of our business how many of its own people it slaughters?
Do those with the ability to intervene have a responsibility to intervene? Or would we just make it worse?

Isn't the alleged humanitarian just another smoke screen for a capitalist war for oil? Or, is that not this time?

[Ian]

I think it's time for Turkey to go whup some butt.

[Coito ergo sum]

All hotting up in Syria after the sickening massacre of civilians, including children, in the news now. Diplomats expelled, newspapers (eg the Times) calling for WAR. China and particularly Russia holding out to protect their own commercial and geopolitical interests and vetoing resolutions at the UN.

So, should "the West" intervene? Can we intervene if the Russians say "No"? Should the Syrian regime be given a kicking or is it none of our business how many of its own people it slaughters?
Do those with the ability to intervene have a responsibility to intervene? Or would we just make it worse?

If we do, people will give us hell for it.
If we don't, people will give us hell for it.

As for the US in particular, if we get involved, we're told that it's none of our business and we are just oppressing brown people again.

If we don't get involved, we're told the US is abdicating its responsibility....

Maybe if France and Germany want in on this one, they can just go do it. Nobody is stopping them from handling it. However, if the US doesn't do it, who will they criticize and blame?

[Warren Dew]

Here's a good article that touches on the subject:

http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=747 ... 660cb708c3

Basically the Arab spring presents us with choices between military dictatorships and Islamic theocracies. Which should we be supporting?

[Clinton Huxley]

Next step will be Saudia Arabia and the Gulf states sending arms to the rebels. Maybe Turkey will establish some kind of safe zone. Something might need to be done about the regular Russian freighter carrying arms to Assad though....

[Rum]

Cue general regional Sunni/Shi'a conflagration?

I hope not, but it has the potential.

[Robert_S]

Next step will be Saudia Arabia and the Gulf states sending arms to the rebels. Maybe Turkey will establish some kind of safe zone. Something might need to be done about the regular Russian freighter carrying arms to Assad though....

We could cut a deal with some Somali pirates? We release some of their prisoners in exchange for them agreeing to use their skills on the Russian freighter and to start dressing like proper pirates.

[Coito ergo sum]

I think it's time for Turkey to go whup some butt.

[Coito ergo sum]

Here's a good article that touches on the subject:

http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=747 ... 660cb708c3

Basically the Arab spring presents us with choices between military dictatorships and Islamic theocracies. Which should we be supporting?

I think the most nuanced, and poignant, statement of what we should be doing is supporting the right of the Arab people to the brutal despot of their choice. After all, everyone has a right to be free of democracy and republican governments, and if they choose to live under tyrannical leaders who hold power through fear and force, then who are we to force liberal government and civil and human rights on them...

[Coito ergo sum]

Next step will be Saudia Arabia and the Gulf states sending arms to the rebels. Maybe Turkey will establish some kind of safe zone. Something might need to be done about the regular Russian freighter carrying arms to Assad though....

We could cut a deal with some Somali pirates? We release some of their prisoners in exchange for them agreeing to use their skills on the Russian freighter and to start dressing like proper pirates.

The Russians seem to have a "way" of dealing with pirates...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... -died.html

Somali pirates captured and released by Russian navy 'have died'
A group of Somali pirates captured by the Russian navy in the Gulf of Aden and then set free in a boat are most probably dead after failing to reach the shore, according to Russian defence sources.

Yes, they failed to outrun the bullets chasing after them....

[Tyrannical]

Hmmmm, brutal secular dictatorship or brutal Islamic dictatorship
I think I'll sit this one out

[Mysturji]

I think it's time for Turkey to go whup some butt.

They'll gobble 'em up!

[Coito ergo sum]

We need to keep abreast of events in the middle east, so that we have a leg up on the Syrians.

I'm still a little peeved, though at this whole "Syria" thing. When did the Assyrians become just the Syrians. Did they lose their Ass?