Civil War in Syria

[Blue3]

Assad must know how vulnerable he is. Mubarak and Gadhafi both cut off the Internet early on, actually surprised Assad took this long. Definitely smells like weakness.

[Blue3]

Russia says the rebels might win:

http://news.yahoo.com/russia-says-syrian-rebels-might-win-car-bomb-111631714.html



NATO says Assad regime on the brink of collapse:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/syria-regime-collapse_n_2292440.html

[Blue3]

I hope this isn't another false dawn. 

Syria is Russia's closest ally, and Russia is Syria's strongest ally.

We have only gone into DEFCON-3 three times in our history, and once was because the Soviet Union was threatening nuclear war with the United States to defend its ally Syria, back in the '73 Yom Kippur War. (the other two times were 9/11 and the Cuban Missile Crisis)

Syria is also the only country, outside of the former USSR, where Russia still has a military base.

Russia still supports Assad... but admits he's losing, and they're planning evacuations for their citizens.

If Russia says the rebels may win, and is planning like the end might be near... then the end is probably near. Wish we had a timetable though on when "soon" is, but revolutions don't have timetables.

[Blue3]

UN Peacekeepers are useless.

[Blue3]

I would wait until these claims are verified. Hope they're not true.

But if it is confirmed, then we must act swiftly, decisively, carefully, and forcefully.

[Blue3]

There are some countries that have offered him asylum... but yeah, he's not going to take it. He's a madman on a killing spree.

[Blue3]

Mrs. Assad is pregnant with their 4th child:
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/28/16745634-report-syria-president-assad-announces-wife-asma-is-pregnant?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=5

[Blue3]

So, Israel bombed a Syrian arms convoy to Lebanon today... Syria agrees it was bombed in an act of aggression, but says it was a military research center near Damascus that was a rebel target:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/01/2013130165625330449.html

[Blue3]

Surprisingly, Turkey is accusing Israel of "state terrorism" for bombing Syria:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/20132317737493423.html

[Blue3]

Surprisingly, Turkey is accusing Israel of "state terrorism" for bombing Syria:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/20132317737493423.html

You mean "surprisingly", right?

That's what I wrote.

And it is surprising since Turkey has sent some artillery fire into Syria, and seem to want a military intervention. Yet they call Israel a sponsor of state terrorism for bombing them too...

Surprisingly, Turkey is accusing Israel of "state terrorism" for bombing Syria

Lol. The Turkish government's aware that they've been at war for what, 40 years now, right?

No they haven't... things have only soured between them since the Gaza war/blockade about 4 years ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Turkey_relations#Diplomatic_and_political_relations

[Blue3]

Looks like the US is going to ask the UN to confirm, to be absolutely sure.

[Blue3]

It's not like the Rebels are all on the same side... they're quite diverse. Most of the extremist rebels aren't even from Syria.

[Blue3]

That won't go anywhere. Neither Assad nor the rebels want to compromise with the other side.

[Blue3]

Yesterday, Assad said he liked the Russia-US idea of new peace-talks.

Today, Assad said he's happy because the peace-talks will fail and the US will have to deal with a regime victory.

Maybe it's not in our best interests to support peace talks?


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/assad-peace-talks-fail-america-160642097.html

[Blue3]

Assad promises to attack Israel, if they bomb a site in Syria again

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/2013530194217674256.html

[Blue3]

North Korean military officers are now on the ground in Syria, helping Assad

I think we can now say everyone is involved there.

[Blue3]

U.S. government confirms multiple uses of chemical weapons by the Assad government, pledges to act

[Blue3]

I think the bigger factors were how Hezbollah and Iran are now investing everything in Assad quite openly, and Russia trying to plays us for fools.

[Blue3]

Not all rebels are working together. There are different factions. And we're not arming all of them.

[Blue3]

Al Qaeda kills Free Syrian Army commander

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/07/20137127710849717.html

If anything, I think this should solidify our support for the FSA.

[Blue3]

UN Security Council is getting reports that a nerve gas attack has killed over 1000 in Damascus suburbs.

[Blue3]

Then why did Assad order the area of the attack be bombed earlier today, except to destroy evidence?

[Blue3]

That hasn't happened since World War II.


I highly doubt it will involve any invasion. It will just be missile attacks from air and sea, and some more covert special forces operations. As it should have been 2 years ago. Assad and his regime must go.

[Blue3]

Is peace more important than a decent government that respects human rights?

That's not what America is founded on.

[Blue3]

That doesn't make sense.