The Defections Begin

[Gusington]

Turkey now isn't what they were 10 years ago. And I mean that in a bad way. They have changed. It might just be their style now.

[Windigo]

Maybe they were beaten by lead pipes and burned with cigarettes before they were blown up?

Too much to ask. We should just be pleased that some well deserved justice has been served.

blown to bits.... seems a tad merciful vs. some other possibilities

[Centurion40]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/19/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Now there's talk that Assad is in hiding.

[Staggerwing]

Yes, he supposedly holed up in his bunkerpalace on the Med coast somewhere. Also, Doesn't anyone find the recent highly effective bomb attack that killed some of Assad's homeboys a little bit... professional? I'm worried that there is something more in play here that the news isn't covering. If certain very hardened and coordinated operators (*cough*AQ*cough*) set up shop in the Syrian interior they may be able to get to some of Assadhole's supposedly ginormous caches of CBw agents. This could be a problem if the stuff gets trucked out and dispersed to hidey holes across the ME. You can take out a whole lot of people with a few cylinders of Sarin, especially if they get dispersed in an open urban area.

[Centurion40]

Do you really think that AQ has the resources to pull-off an attack like that inside of Syria?

Hezbollah/Iran maybe.

[Gusington]

Israelis?

[Barthheart]

US?

[Centurion40]

Tom Clancy tells us that the Israelis could pull-off something like this, but why?  Same with the US, why?

[Windigo]

Divide and conquor baby!

[Staggerwing]

Do you really think that AQ has the resources to pull-off an attack like that inside of Syria?

Hezbollah/Iran maybe.

Doubtful since Assad is one of Hez/Iran's cuddly-kins. AFA AQ, they would appeal to some of the Sunni hardliners who have been trying to overthrow Assad  for quite a long time. The original Syrian underground rebellion has been fighting for around 20 years now. Remember when Assad, Sr virtually bulldozer Hama to the ground in the 90's due to violent uprisings? AQ has had a long time to set up their network there in anticipation of when the Dung finally hit the Rotating Atmosphere Impeller.

[Gusington]

Is AQ really such a pantheon of loyalty that they wouldn't blow Assad to kingdom come?

[Staggerwing]

Is AQ really such a pantheon of loyalty that they wouldn't blow Assad to kingdom come?

See my edited post above.

[Gusington]

Hmm so AQ could have the motive but do they have the means?

[Staggerwing]

Hmm so AQ could have the motive but do they have the means?

I'm thinking that they have been able to pull off exactly this kind of attack numerous times already, especially in urban areas where there is lots of cover movement. AQ plans these thing out well in advance and sets up the pieces with an eye to the long view. If there had been a second explosion at a different facility at the same time then AQ would be a cinch for it.

[Gusington]

^Even with all of the losses they have been taking over the last few years?