Well, it’s a clusterfuck come omnishambles of a religious group-orientated civil war layered above regional agendas ranging from Israel to Iran, from Turkey to Russia. Plus the whole US domestic agenda of validating the military and repositioning same as a moral force. Plus, plus, an inept President pronouning red lines.
Basically, only the Straightdope knows what to do.
Imo, the key words above are “civil” and “war”.
Well yes. As I’ve said elsewhere, we’re fucked no matter what; it’s just a question of which option offers the most lube.
And to address the OP’s point on Rwanda: I get the impression that it’s because of Rwanda that the US is currently on this “bomb them for humanitarian reasons” kick. There is real guilt in certain (usually leftie) circles about not intervening in the Rwandan genocide and a determination not to let preventable atrocities occur again. And I think, on the whole, the NATO intervention in Yugoslavia was a net good, and that the Libyan adventure will prove likewise in the long run. But Syria is neither Libya nor Yugoslavia, and there are some things even the smartest bomb can’t fix.
Any group the size of the US Military is going to have a few criminals in it. Duh. We don’t have magical fairy dust, we just have tight organization and rule-of-law.
Perhaps. I’d support that, if it had a clear outcome.
No but the United States is a superpower and not a reactionary theocratic monarchy like the Saudis.
They weren’t too bad to be honest but their empire was unsustainable once their major colonies were lost unlike the United States which always has derived virtually all of its strength from its home territories.
From stupid, bloody wars that involve thousands of deaths and seemingly for a useless purpose.
Right. I think he covers his ass being hawkish for war over CWs. If nothing is done it is because a lot was done to stop him. If there is a chemical weapons disaster after that, well he tried to protect us, no?
He is predictably anti-CW disaster. I get it.
The American Government is run by a bunch of big mean bastards, who do horrible things mostly to gain power and profit; but all the other big powerful nations who vie with us are as mean and bastardly as we are. Those other powerful countries (Russia, China, India etc.) are capable of considerable corruption and mayhem, held in check by mutual distrust and some profitable back-room deals. It’s easy the maintain a moral high-ground, we only have to be just a little more humane and noble than the rest … not a very high bar.
Where do you get the idea that US wants “to save children”?
The reason that stuck to the wall is that US wants to punish “use of WMD”. You still kill children with conventional weapons including using white phosphorus.
You should check your news feed more often - it’s certainly not about children.
I certainly hope this was some new & edgy type of sarcasm.
Otherwise, it’s got to be in Top 10 most idiotic comments re: Syria.
Not an American, but Denis was America’s best bet.