http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/harsh-conditions-are-foiling-russian-jets-in-syria/ar-BBmqdy5?ocid=spartandhp
Is it just me or does the US foreign policy response to the Russian intervention into Syria exclusively consist of snickering? This is probably the third article I have read in recent weeks that has US officials commenting off the record about Russian troubles or miscues in Syria, almost attempting to mock them. Is there anything more flaccid they could do? I just don't know what to say anymore.
On another foreign policy side-note: Did anyone else notice the utterly doomed talks between Kerry and Netanyahu last week? Did anyone in the Obama admin expect them to cooperate after admin officials went off the record to call him a coward earlier this year? Obama is getting astonishingly bad foreign policy advice from his advisors or he is outright making many poor decisions by himself.
In domestic politics, one of the main tactics the Obama admin uses against opponents is to mock them and generally insult them (not that he is alone in doing that). It seems they want to use those tactics in foreign policy more and more.
I'm not going to defend the Obama administration's approach to foreign policy, but a good bit of that article is analysis from a private consultant.
At any rate, it's hardly even news that the Russians are having logistics and maintenance problems in Syria. It would be far more noteworthy if they were able to come close to our operational tempos. And this very likely is the Russian varsity.
Every opinion I've heard expressed from former administration members say Obama makes all the calls himself or perhaps with V. Jarrett's advice. He tends to ignore everyone else's opinions... but so does Hillary. Biden especially encourages him to distrust council from the military. It's surprising to me that Sec. Def. Carter has been able to operate as independently as he has since coming on board.
Jarrett and Biden and Susan Rice as National Security Advisor. It's a miracle we're still in NATO ::)
Quote from: Swatter on October 26, 2015, 10:40:45 AM
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/harsh-conditions-are-foiling-russian-jets-in-syria/ar-BBmqdy5?ocid=spartandhp
In domestic politics, one of the main tactics the Obama admin uses against opponents is to mock them and generally insult them (not that he is alone in doing that). It seems they want to use those tactics in foreign policy more and more.
That was Maobama's common go-to tactic when he was a junior senator.
Hell, it was probably ingrained before he even got
there, being a lifelong SJW politician from the infamous Chicago machine.
The smug POTUS didn't waste much time making an ass of himself with foreign countries. Recall the behavior regarding one of our greatest allies, Britain, as one example. "Here.. take this bust you gifted to the White House back, we don't want it. Oh, and here are some CDs and a pic of me for our gift exchange with the Queen." *facepalm*
Quote from: mirth on October 26, 2015, 10:55:21 AM
I'm not going to defend the Obama administration's approach to foreign policy, but a good bit of that article is analysis from a private consultant.
My point was that something gets leaked to get the media going. I just saw another story on Reuters that calls into question Russia's military prowess.
Shouldn't this be R&P?
Con
If you can't touch on politics in Current Events, there would truly be little to say here. How can you comment on Syria without touching on politics? I would agree that this isn't the place for general Obama bashing, though.
Unfortunately history shows that any attempt to have a rational discourse on a subject involving the government (any government) rapidly devolves into name calling and opinionated rants. Already there is name calling and judgments in this thread prior to my comment. Plus I would say this topic is political, I wouldn't bring it up if I was in front of a customer (that is my typical yardstick to see if something qualifies as topics that should go into R&P)
But hey I am willing to be proven wrong want to bet ;)
Con
I can see why you would object. The wording of the title could have been better and I could have sounded less bewildered in my post. At the same time, there is plenty of judgement going on in this forum, it keeps things interesting. Chaos is kept to a minimum, though. I will attempt to be more balanced when I create another thread.
Nothing here particularly menacing yet.
So you might say it's The Phantom Menace?
If the Russian military is Jar Jar, then yes.
Quote from: Gusington on October 27, 2015, 07:50:44 AM
Nothing here particularly menacing yet.
You must have forgotten what Mirth looks like when his pants are down.
Quote from: LongBlade on October 27, 2015, 09:44:18 AM
Quote from: Gusington on October 27, 2015, 07:50:44 AM
Nothing here particularly menacing yet.
You must have forgotten what Mirth looks like when his pants are down.
No one ever truly forgets that.
I see what he was saying. If the OP starts off on a bad foot, the thread could quickly deteriorate. I'm not sure what Mirth is doing around here with his pants down, though.
He calls that, 'Tuesday.'
he calls that "everyday".
I call that a Par-tay!!!
MY EYES!! MY EYES!!
Quote from: DoctorQuest on October 27, 2015, 09:23:40 PM
MY EYES!! MY EYES!!
Sometimes when you stare into Mirth's ass...it stares back at you.
Quote from: LongBlade on October 27, 2015, 09:26:36 PM
Quote from: DoctorQuest on October 27, 2015, 09:23:40 PM
MY EYES!! MY EYES!!
Sometimes when you stare into Mirth's ass...it stares back at you.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.meme.am%2Finstances%2F500x%2F52867937.jpg&hash=be8cfcbc25d2967eee1f03f648dea1bd1e3976aa)
Quote from: LongBlade on October 27, 2015, 09:26:36 PM
Quote from: DoctorQuest on October 27, 2015, 09:23:40 PM
MY EYES!! MY EYES!!
Sometimes when you stare into Mirth's ass...it stares back at you.
You could always not stare into mirths ass?
Please tell me there's a not staring option
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F25.media.tumblr.com%2F57447efe01d2544d313d73c72c934277%2Ftumblr_mfuhdmPNBd1qmt85zo1_1280.png&hash=c7b56a84168a136e962e5b5ba3b40672216ce640)
Quote from: LongBlade on October 27, 2015, 09:26:36 PM
Quote from: DoctorQuest on October 27, 2015, 09:23:40 PM
MY EYES!! MY EYES!!
Sometimes when you stare into Mirth's ass...it stares back at you.
It wasn't winking at you, was it? :o
At first I thought it was a joke thread. ;)
It is. Sadly.