Syrian Watch

LongBlade · February 15, 2012, 09:28:19 AM

Holy crap that's bad news!

Gusington · February 15, 2012, 09:59:07 AM

Nerve gas? Got a link for that? If the UN doesn't act on that then they really are totally worthless.

bayonetbrant · February 15, 2012, 10:15:56 AM

I know we ran this article at GN this morning

http://grognews.blogspot.com/2012/02/trying-to-keep-chemical-sam-weapons-off.html

not exactly the story you're looking for, but related

Gusington · February 15, 2012, 10:18:51 AM

^Thanks. I would like to think that use of NBC would be an automatic smackdown for the old Syrian regime but then no one did a thing when Hussein gassed the Kurds and when both Iran and Iraq used NBC on each other.

MIGMaster · February 15, 2012, 10:25:28 AM

The information I received came from a buddy of mine who is involved with ermgency planning, etc.... He subscribes to an RSS feed thru the RSOE-EDIS

Here is their website:

http://www.rsoe.hu/index.php?lang=en

Gusington · February 15, 2012, 10:43:55 AM

^That's a fascinating site...well to me, anyway. And out of Budapest no less. I'd imagine every day is an emergency there.

I'm looking to get into emergency management. First I have to go back to school though.

Found this, it implicates Iranians and Russians in helping deploy the gas:

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/02/14/194585.html

LongBlade · February 15, 2012, 10:46:41 AM

Quote from: Gusington on February 15, 2012, 09:59:07 AM
Nerve gas? Got a link for that? If the UN doesn't act on that then they really are totally worthless.

The UN has been worthless for a long time now, Gus.

It seems as though every player on the globe thinks it has an interest in Syria - except the US: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/14/dempsey-syria-much-different-than-libya-big-players-involved-in-conflict/

That article does nothing but confuse me. It says we're being cautious because all the players are getting into Syria. To my mind if everyone is is trying to get a toe in the pool, we ought to be exerting our own influence there, too. Shows what I know.

LongBlade · February 15, 2012, 10:47:45 AM

I heard in passing on TV that back in the early 80's Assad's father killed 10,000 people in Homs. Looks like they're keeping up a family tradition.

MIGMaster · February 15, 2012, 10:59:37 AM

Yeah - Homs is a real popular target for the ruling elite. I think memories of the 80's have probably only helped to strengthen the resolve of those ready for a change.

Gusington · February 15, 2012, 11:00:50 AM

The story I posted above implicates the Iranians and the Russians. That is bad if true.

LongBlade · February 15, 2012, 11:02:04 AM

Quote from: Gusington on February 15, 2012, 11:00:50 AM
The story I posted above implicates the Iranians and the Russians. That is bad if true.

It just means we're looking like a bunch of idiots for not having a dog in the fight.

Gusington · February 15, 2012, 11:04:22 AM

I'm naive. I like to think if people are getting gassed it's a call to action. Or at least to fire a few warning shots. Or at a minimum sending a nice cheese and sausage basket to the Russian and Iranian contingents and asking them nicely to cut it out in a strongly worded note.

Centurion40 · February 15, 2012, 11:34:45 AM

Quote from: LongBlade on February 15, 2012, 11:02:04 AM
Quote from: Gusington on February 15, 2012, 11:00:50 AM
The story I posted above implicates the Iranians and the Russians. That is bad if true.

It just means we're looking like a bunch of idiots for not having a dog in the fight.

I dunno about that. We've basically said that this is the Arab League's fight, not ours. Besides, your dogs (I'd say "ours", but let's get real here, my dogs aren't as large or numerous as your dogs) are probably there, but very well concealed. Maybe even hiding behind an Israeli dog that looks just like a Syrian dog to the casual observer.

LongBlade · February 15, 2012, 11:41:00 AM

Quote from: Centurion40 on February 15, 2012, 11:34:45 AM
I dunno about that. We've basically said that this is the Arab League's fight, not ours. Besides, your dogs (I'd say "ours", but let's get real here, my dogs aren't as large or numerous as your dogs) are probably there, but very well concealed. Maybe even hiding behind an Israeli dog that looks just like a Syrian dog to the casual observer.

That's the way it ought to be. I suspect you're right, but given this present crew, I have my doubts.

The hesitation/obfuscation may be a vote of no-confidence in the rebels. In the article above, it notes that the Syrians have a "capable military." Translation: rebels are going to lose.

That said, the Syrians are hardly friends. Openly moving against them is hardly less inflammatory than covertly - the only people likely to be fooled by a covert op are the folks who watch the news and only accept it if the talking head says it is so.

MIGMaster · February 15, 2012, 11:53:20 AM

Strategic Airstrikes are the only answer - putting boots on the ground would a frakkin' mess ! If they cruise missiled the hell outta the leadership the tide may change rapidly. I suspect most of those in the military have no love for Assad either. An Operation El Dorado Canyon type of strike updated to use cruise missiles and maybe French and Arab assets may be a decent mix. Takes the focus of the US and the UK But the first thing to do is put China and Russia on the spot with a short time limit to solve the crisis - then we can point at thier failure and inaction.