Islamic State vs. The World (except Canada)

[Velasco]

It looks like ISIS will be used as an excuse to go after Assad. We'll give arms to some "moderate" Al Qaeda affiliated rebel groups. I'm sure things will go great there.

Really?

[Antonio the Sixth]

it's amazing how easily the war machine can be fired up.  every news affiliate is running stories "ISIS recruiting Americans and smuggling across Mexican border?  details at 7"  this after Iraq-2003 became the most unpopular war in the history of post-industrial revolution imperial society.  it helps that it's a Democrat, otherwise liberals would be asking the more uncomfortable questions, while Republicans are only capable of thinking of it as a "bad investment"

It looks like ISIS will be used as an excuse to go after Assad. We'll give arms to some "moderate" Al Qaeda affiliated rebel groups. I'm sure things will go great there.

Wow, you really have no clue.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

it's amazing how easily the war machine can be fired up.  every news affiliate is running stories "ISIS recruiting Americans and smuggling across Mexican border?  details at 7"  this after Iraq-2003 became the most unpopular war in the history of post-industrial revolution imperial society.  it helps that it's a Democrat, otherwise liberals would be asking the more uncomfortable questions, while Republicans are only capable of thinking of it as a "bad investment"

It looks like ISIS will be used as an excuse to go after Assad. We'll give arms to some "moderate" Al Qaeda affiliated rebel groups. I'm sure things will go great there.

Wow, you really have no clue.

I heard Chuck Hagel say quite clearly that we are only arming rebel groups at war with both Assad and ISIS. So, this is an indirect attempt to oust him as well.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

it's amazing how easily the war machine can be fired up.  every news affiliate is running stories "ISIS recruiting Americans and smuggling across Mexican border?  details at 7"  this after Iraq-2003 became the most unpopular war in the history of post-industrial revolution imperial society.  it helps that it's a Democrat, otherwise liberals would be asking the more uncomfortable questions, while Republicans are only capable of thinking of it as a "bad investment"

It looks like ISIS will be used as an excuse to go after Assad. We'll give arms to some "moderate" Al Qaeda affiliated rebel groups. I'm sure things will go great there.

Wow, you really have no clue.

I heard Chuck Hagel say quite clearly that we are only arming rebel groups at war with both Assad and ISIS. So, this is an indirect attempt to oust him as well.

Tony's blinders surprise me here.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

it's amazing how easily the war machine can be fired up.  every news affiliate is running stories "ISIS recruiting Americans and smuggling across Mexican border?  details at 7"  this after Iraq-2003 became the most unpopular war in the history of post-industrial revolution imperial society.  it helps that it's a Democrat, otherwise liberals would be asking the more uncomfortable questions, while Republicans are only capable of thinking of it as a "bad investment"

Indeed, beyond which, this isn't a case like Rwanda where strategically deploying a few troops in select locations would quickly halt (or in this case prevent) genocide.  If we go in, we'll have just deliberately stepped on a bear trap and won't be getting out for quite some time.  Apparently, no one learned anything from Iraq

The thing that has always amazed me is how a lot of people in places like Topeka, Reno, or Panama City think that terrorists are going to attack *their* hometown.  As if Al-Qaeda's top target is Panama City lol

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

it's amazing how easily the war machine can be fired up.  every news affiliate is running stories "ISIS recruiting Americans and smuggling across Mexican border?  details at 7"  this after Iraq-2003 became the most unpopular war in the history of post-industrial revolution imperial society.  it helps that it's a Democrat, otherwise liberals would be asking the more uncomfortable questions, while Republicans are only capable of thinking of it as a "bad investment"

Indeed, beyond which, this isn't a case like Rwanda where strategically deploying a few troops in select locations would quickly halt (or in this case prevent) genocide.  If we go in, we'll have just deliberately stepped on a bear trap and won't be getting out for quite some time.  Apparently, no one learned anything from Iraq

The thing that has always amazed me is how a lot of people in places like Topeka, Reno, or Panama City think that terrorists are going to attack *their* hometown.  As if Al-Qaeda's top target is Panama City lol

And there's the killing of Christians by the non Kurdish Syrian rebels. Ironic that I, as a non Christian, have to point this out to the Christians in this country.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

it's amazing how easily the war machine can be fired up.  every news affiliate is running stories "ISIS recruiting Americans and smuggling across Mexican border?  details at 7"  this after Iraq-2003 became the most unpopular war in the history of post-industrial revolution imperial society.  it helps that it's a Democrat, otherwise liberals would be asking the more uncomfortable questions, while Republicans are only capable of thinking of it as a "bad investment"

Indeed, beyond which, this isn't a case like Rwanda where strategically deploying a few troops in select locations would quickly halt (or in this case prevent) genocide.  If we go in, we'll have just deliberately stepped on a bear trap and won't be getting out for quite some time.  Apparently, no one learned anything from Iraq

The thing that has always amazed me is how a lot of people in places like Topeka, Reno, or Panama City think that terrorists are going to attack *their* hometown.  As if Al-Qaeda's top target is Panama City lol

And there's the killing of Christians by the non Kurdish Syrian rebels. Ironic that I, as a non Christian, have to point this out to the Christians in this country.

Don't worry, we're only arming moderates

[Silent Hunter]

And now the French have arrived; this really is a funny world

[Deus Naturae]

it's amazing how easily the war machine can be fired up.  every news affiliate is running stories "ISIS recruiting Americans and smuggling across Mexican border?  details at 7"  this after Iraq-2003 became the most unpopular war in the history of post-industrial revolution imperial society.  it helps that it's a Democrat, otherwise liberals would be asking the more uncomfortable questions, while Republicans are only capable of thinking of it as a "bad investment"

It looks like ISIS will be used as an excuse to go after Assad. We'll give arms to some "moderate" Al Qaeda affiliated rebel groups. I'm sure things will go great there.

Wow, you really have no clue.

Smart take.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Former Defense Secretary Panetta weighs in.....sounds a lot like what Gates just said.

[Frodo]

Time to change the thread title -we are now striking IS in Syria.

[Indy Texas]

Someone somewhere ought to be thinking a few steps ahead and looking at how we can resolve the long-term Syrian refugee situation. It has big ramifications for Turkey and Jordan.

In Turkey, you've got the fiercely nationalistic Turks seeing Arabic-speaking foreigners streaming over their southern border. Discrimination and linguistic or cultural differences could limit opportunities for Syrians in Turkey.

In Jordan, you have a country whose only real national fabric is the Hashemite dynasty and a general appeal to an idealized, pastoral, tribal/Bedouin-flavored version of Jordanian national identity. Now you've just added to the mix a bunch of Syrians with no allegiance to either of those things.

Both countries will want to keep their refugees as transient as possible in hopes that they'll leave as soon as possible. This is what was done to the Palestinians for decades out of some naive belief that Israel would vanish into thin air sooner or later. And the result is inevitably economically, socially marginalized people with no stake in the larger society. So when Hamas/Hezbollah/[Extremist Group X] comes around and says, "Send your sons to fight for us and we'll pay them cash money and make sure you all have food on your table and a roof over your head," it's a very compelling offer, whether you agree with their ideals or not.

[Lief 🗽]

Pretty goddamn impressive the coalition of Arab states Obama has brought together to fight ISIS. He'll go down in history as one of the foreign policy greats, that's for sure (would have gone down as the best, if only he had listened to Clinton's wise words sooner).

[MalaspinaGold]

FWIW, the Arab countries are Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Jordan, and Qatar.

[Tender Branson]

Well, this won't be over soon ...

Could become complicated as well, once the US/Co. strike urban areas and the ISlamo-Fascists use human shields (women/children) and civilian casualties rise.

[Tender Branson]

Austria joins US-led coalition against ISIS

Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz has announced that Austria is now part of the US-led coalition against Islamic State (Isis) militants.

Kurz said that Austria’s participation will be political, but not military and that as a neutral country it will provide mainly humanitarian assistance to persecuted religious minorities such as Christians and Yazidis in Iraq and Syria.

He pointed out that Muslim countries were also part of the alliance and that it was not a religious conflict but “a struggle against extremists who are mostly killing Muslims”.

He made his remarks before leaving for a United Nations General Assembly in New York, which will table a resolution to make the recruitment and financing of Isis fighters illegal.

Austria’s neutrality means it cannot participate in any air strikes in Iraq or Syria, nor allow foreign fighter jets to travel through its airspace.

http://www.thelocal.at/20140923/austria-joins-us-led-coalition-against-isis

[Silent Hunter]

Is it just me or has Obama bombed more countries that Bush 43 now?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

The sad thing is that Republicans are just falling in line to support the strikes, which pretty clearly have no legal basis.  There's no way you can connect this to fall under the 2001 AUMF, and the theory that this was a defensive move against an attack is ludicrous.  Just get the approval before the air strikes, and you're fine.  Instead of being outraged, as they should be, Congressional leaders are coming together under the typical, "In times of national crisis, it's important that we stick together and hold hands" BS that ignores the Constitution.

Peter King: "All Americans must stand w/ Pres Obama in our war against ISIS - particularly tonight's air strikes in Syria"

Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX): "When in times of war and of peace it is important that we come together as a nation. To defeat ISIS, we must cut off the head of the snake, which exists in Syria. I support the administration’s move to conduct airstrikes against ISIS wherever it exists. ISIS is not just a threat to the United States - it is a threat to all nations that value human life and decency. We must continue to lead the coalition and utilize all tools available to combat this threat until ISIS is destroyed."

I think Justice Scalia put it well in his dissent in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[politicus]

Time to change the thread title -we are now striking IS in Syria.

Plus BREAKING is outdated, its IS now and its not just American forces bombing.

[Tender Branson]

First day of US-bombings in Syria: ca. 50-120 Islamofascists dead (and 11+ civilians, 3+ children)

http://orf.at/stories/2246804/2246798

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29333348

[Indy Texas]

First day of US-bombings in Syria: ca. 50-120 Islamofascists dead (and 11+ civilians, 3+ children)

http://orf.at/stories/2246804/2246798

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29333348

I hate that term. It's blatantly inaccurate and just indicates the person who uses it has no clue what the hell fascism is beyond an epithet for subjectively bad stuff.

[All Along The Watchtower]

First day of US-bombings in Syria: ca. 50-120 Islamofascists dead (and 11+ civilians, 3+ children)

http://orf.at/stories/2246804/2246798

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29333348

I hate that term. It's blatantly inaccurate and just indicates the person who uses it has no clue what the hell fascism is beyond an epithet for subjectively bad stuff.

Stupidofascists

[Beet]

Amazing ISIS documentary by VICE News:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjHb4C7b94

With Western journalists being beheaded left and right, these guys walked straight into Raqqa and got a tour from the Islamic State itself.

[Tender Branson]

Amazing ISIS documentary by VICE News:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjHb4C7b94

With Western journalists being beheaded left and right, these guys walked straight into Raqqa and got a tour from the Islamic State itself.

I have already posted this a few pages back, but nobody cared ...

[Tender Branson]

First day of US-bombings in Syria: ca. 50-120 Islamofascists dead (and 11+ civilians, 3+ children)

http://orf.at/stories/2246804/2246798

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29333348

I hate that term. It's blatantly inaccurate and just indicates the person who uses it has no clue what the hell fascism is beyond an epithet for subjectively bad stuff.

Islamofascists. It is what they are and always will be.