http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/03/world/meast/israel-airstrike-syria/index.html
well this could be interesting.
I was thinking yesterday that Israel really is manning the front line for most of the western world. Our PM has stated several times they are an important ally. Given everything happening in Syria, airstrikes are long overdue. Pass the ordinance bill to the UN.
What I mean to say is China bitches about being encircled. They (and Russia) are a low threat on the totem pole compared to the middle east. That is where the encirclement should be.
Quote from: Mr. Bigglesworth on May 03, 2013, 08:41:24 PM
What I mean to say is China bitches about being encircled. They (and Russia) are a low threat on the totem pole compared to the middle east. That is where the encirclement should be.
I'm sure they see it as a zero sum game. The more occupied we are with attention, blood, and treasure with radicals in the sandboxes, the less we have to devote to curtailing their mischief and development thereof.
Glad someone is finally doing something after it looks like Syria used chemical weapons.
Israel is the guy in the back of the bar who stays quiet until he just can't anymore. Then all bets are off. God bless the Israelis.
Quote from: Gusington on May 03, 2013, 09:30:12 PM
Israel is the guy in the back of the bar who stays quiet until he just can't anymore. Then all bets are off. God bless the Israelis.
Dammit Gus, why'd you have to pull out that brilliant/awesome analogy when I *just* changed sigs?? Argh!
(Seriously, though, that's a good one. :) )
I like to keep you in a perpetual state of forum excitement!
I keep wondering if this is going to spread beyond Syria's borders and officially drag other countries into it. (I also worry that it may already be a question of "when", not "if". :-\ ) Israel & Lebanon are already on the brink, with Iraq, Iran, and even Turkey not too far behind them. The potential for this to turn into an even bigger ungodly mess (it's been, what -- a whole seven minutes or so since the last major Mideast war?) scares the crap out of me sometimes.
Quote from: Gusington on May 04, 2013, 02:16:54 PM
I like to keep you in a perpetual state of forum excitement!
You know me too well. I just can't quit you.
...and another airstrike.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/05/05/israel-strikes-military-research-center-syrian-state-news-agency-says/
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/05/us-syria-crisis-blasts-idUSBRE94400020130505
I agree with Gus's sentiment about Israel, but like Martok I hope this doesn't spread.
I read a report this morning that indicated Israel is deploying its Iron Dome anti-"Incoming!" system.
It also said that Syria deemed the airstrikes as acts of war.
That's some tough talk, but given the trouble Syria is having with its civil war I'm not clear on what they think they can do about it.
Unleash Hezbollah and Quds openly.
Agree with LB...Syria is barely coping with the 10000s of Jihadis destroying them from the inside out. Why they would want to even try to take on Israel now it beyond me. Unless they just want to end it all under a barrage of Israeli missiles and shelling.
Quote from: Gusington on May 05, 2013, 11:38:57 AM
Agree with LB...Syria is barely coping with the 10000s of Jihadis destroying them from the inside out. Why they would want to even try to take on Israel now it beyond me. Unless they just want to end it all under a barrage of Israeli missiles and shelling.
The problem with that is if they went down amid an Israeli attack the would be portrayed as martyrs and then used as a rallying cry for those around the world who want Israel gone. It is really a lose lose for Israel but at least they are being proactive about it.
Quote from: TheCommandTent on May 05, 2013, 05:19:59 PM
Quote from: Gusington on May 05, 2013, 11:38:57 AM
Agree with LB...Syria is barely coping with the 10000s of Jihadis destroying them from the inside out. Why they would want to even try to take on Israel now it beyond me. Unless they just want to end it all under a barrage of Israeli missiles and shelling.
The problem with that is if they went down amid an Israeli attack the would be portrayed as martyrs and then used as a rallying cry for those around the world who want Israel gone. It is really a lose lose for Israel but at least they are being proactive about it.
Just more zombies to kill.
The way I see it, if Israel Takes out the Syrian military some of which is attacking civilians, the do the west a favor. They also clear a flight corridor for a potential future attack on the Iranian MWD facilities. So if it comes to that, and the west owes them one we happen to "Oh look!" there is some other mess stealing the headlines! Nothing to see, move along."
Here is the Syrian govt statement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss2hULhXf04 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss2hULhXf04)
Favorite line from the news so far this morning:
"Late yesterday, President Assad there in Syria called a cabinet meeting - don't know how many showed up." -- Jim Miklaszewskl on Morning Joe.
^That's a good one.
Quote from: TheCommandTent on May 05, 2013, 05:19:59 PM
Quote from: Gusington on May 05, 2013, 11:38:57 AM
Agree with LB...Syria is barely coping with the 10000s of Jihadis destroying them from the inside out. Why they would want to even try to take on Israel now it beyond me. Unless they just want to end it all under a barrage of Israeli missiles and shelling.
The problem with that is if they went down amid an Israeli attack the would be portrayed as martyrs and then used as a rallying cry for those around the world who want Israel gone. It is really a lose lose for Israel but at least they are being proactive about it.
I'm with TCT...If Syria makes itself out as the victim of Israeli aggression, they can pretty easily rally the arab world against this common enemy. That would be a win-win for Syria. First, Syria could depend on its arab allies to fight a war against Israel for it. Second, it would take the lens off of the internal situation with the Civil War and buy the Government forces more time to fight the rebel with chemical weapons and whatever othr underhanded methods they deem necessary.
Quote from: TheCommandTent on May 05, 2013, 05:19:59 PM
Quote from: Gusington on May 05, 2013, 11:38:57 AM
Agree with LB...Syria is barely coping with the 10000s of Jihadis destroying them from the inside out. Why they would want to even try to take on Israel now it beyond me. Unless they just want to end it all under a barrage of Israeli missiles and shelling.
The problem with that is if they went down amid an Israeli attack the would be portrayed as martyrs and then used as a rallying cry for those around the world who want Israel gone. It is really a lose lose for Israel but at least they are being proactive about it.
I am really tired of this "don't make them martyrs" argument rolled out again and again. How many people did any "martyrs" killed? Zero.
Those that wish ill to Israel and the West will invent reasons to hate whether we provide an fresh supply of "martyrs" or not. It's the ones in the pre-martyr state I worry about. Once they become "martyrs" they are no longer a real problem.
It the similar argument as the "Guantanamo is a recruiting agent" one. It's been repeated so many times people accept it without giving a second though.
I hate when you do this pawelj but I agree. Stop making sense! Handling Muslms who want to be martyrs with kit gloves gets old. They will hate no matter what.
Quote from: pawelj on May 10, 2013, 07:23:05 AM
Quote from: TheCommandTent on May 05, 2013, 05:19:59 PM
Quote from: Gusington on May 05, 2013, 11:38:57 AM
Agree with LB...Syria is barely coping with the 10000s of Jihadis destroying them from the inside out. Why they would want to even try to take on Israel now it beyond me. Unless they just want to end it all under a barrage of Israeli missiles and shelling.
The problem with that is if they went down amid an Israeli attack the would be portrayed as martyrs and then used as a rallying cry for those around the world who want Israel gone. It is really a lose lose for Israel but at least they are being proactive about it.
I am really tired of this "don't make them martyrs" argument rolled out again and again. How many people did any "martyrs" killed? Zero.
Those that wish ill to Israel and the West will invent reasons to hate whether we provide an fresh supply of "martyrs" or not. It's the ones in the pre-martyr state I worry about. Once they become "martyrs" they are no longer a real problem.
It the similar argument as the "Guantanamo is a recruiting agent" one. It's been repeated so many times people accept it without giving a second though.
Martyrs inspire and Guantanamo can be used as a recruiting tool, however, I agree that neither is a valid argument for stopping the execution of either endeavor. They will never have a shortage of 'reasons' to hate the west/Israel so to that point I agree but you will notice that I did give credit to Israel for actually doing something in a situation they can't "win" taking either option.
Quote from: TheCommandTent on May 12, 2013, 08:18:15 PM
Quote from: pawelj on May 10, 2013, 07:23:05 AM
Quote from: TheCommandTent on May 05, 2013, 05:19:59 PM
Quote from: Gusington on May 05, 2013, 11:38:57 AM
Agree with LB...Syria is barely coping with the 10000s of Jihadis destroying them from the inside out. Why they would want to even try to take on Israel now it beyond me. Unless they just want to end it all under a barrage of Israeli missiles and shelling.
The problem with that is if they went down amid an Israeli attack the would be portrayed as martyrs and then used as a rallying cry for those around the world who want Israel gone. It is really a lose lose for Israel but at least they are being proactive about it.
I am really tired of this "don't make them martyrs" argument rolled out again and again. How many people did any "martyrs" killed? Zero.
Those that wish ill to Israel and the West will invent reasons to hate whether we provide an fresh supply of "martyrs" or not. It's the ones in the pre-martyr state I worry about. Once they become "martyrs" they are no longer a real problem.
It the similar argument as the "Guantanamo is a recruiting agent" one. It's been repeated so many times people accept it without giving a second though.
Martyrs inspire and Guantanamo can be used as a recruiting tool, however, I agree that neither is a valid argument for stopping the execution of either endeavor. They will never have a shortage of 'reasons' to hate the west/Israel so to that point I agree but you will notice that I did give credit to Israel for actually doing something in a situation they can't "win" taking either option.
This type of behavior hands the initiative to the bad guys.
Instead of being afraid of what might set them over the edge (further) next, they should be worried about what might cause us to go headhunting them.
This situation is not going to end well for one side or the other. Either we will no longer enjoy the limited freedoms we have left or they will begin to respect the rights of other people to live in ways contrary to their beliefs.
Quote from: TheCommandTent on May 12, 2013, 08:18:15 PM
Martyrs inspire and Guantanamo can be used as a recruiting tool, however, I agree that neither is a valid argument for stopping the execution of either endeavor. They will never have a shortage of 'reasons' to hate the west/Israel so to that point I agree but you will notice that I did give credit to Israel for actually doing something in a situation they can't "win" taking either option.
This brings on another question: how effective is this "inspiration" and "recruiting"? People who are convinced by these arguments, and we do not know how many would be, are not otherwise reasonable people who would be our supporters had it not be for these events. Which is why I think they are entirely spurious arguments designed to weaken our resolve.