# Its time for Obama to flex some big muscle in Syria **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 1, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187 "2015-10-01T23:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/41 "2015-10-02T11:18:47Z")
Not if the Russians are already doing it. I said only if the Russians target our planes would that be something we might do. Knowing Putin’s style, we’d probably lose a plane or two a week with Putin saying, “Oops, how unfortunate, but not intentional, I assure you!” ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/42 "2015-10-02T11:40:00Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Not if the Russians are already doing it. I said only if the Russians target our planes would that be something we might do. Knowing Putin’s style, we’d probably lose a plane or two a week with Putin saying, “Oops, how unfortunate, but not intentional, I assure you!” So you’re throwing your weight around in response to something that hasn’t happened? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that your use of your imagination isn’t confined only to U.S. politics. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/43 "2015-10-02T12:05:37Z")
If you go back and read, I was responding to someone who thought that US and Russian planes operating in Syria was a recipe for war. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/44 "2015-10-02T12:12:29Z")
Do you really seriously think the Russians are going to say in response to the destruction of their air group in Syria, " oh ok. Well played. You got us"? No Russian leader is going to survive the evening if he does that. They are going to retaliate. In Syria. And elsewhere. The US would do the same thing. Believeing otherwise is naive in the extreme. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/45 "2015-10-02T12:14:41Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I think Obama is in “Fuck ya all, I’m outtie!” mode. Nah he’s in “Let me plan a huge crisis so I can declare martial law and not give up power” mode. Do you even internet? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/46 "2015-10-02T12:16:09Z")
I’m a little confused. Am I supposed to think that a new Cold War is a good thing? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/47 "2015-10-02T12:28:42Z")
Getting involved further makes US weaker. That’s the lesson from the last 12 years, and from Vietnam. There’s no clear goal, unlike the 1st Gulf War (expel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait). Just stay out. If Russia wants to be involved, let them – it will only weaken them, most likely. Getting more involved just makes us weaker. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/48 "2015-10-02T12:33:10Z")
I don’t think it will weaken the Russians. They have a clear objective and a plan to execute. Unlike the USA and the rest. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/49 "2015-10-02T12:38:08Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I don’t think it will weaken the Russians. They have a clear objective and a plan to execute. Unlike the USA and the rest. We’ll see, but my understanding of the Russian military (and especially Russian military hardware) is that their reputation is greater than their effectiveness. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/50 "2015-10-02T12:50:55Z")
Napoleon, Hitler and several Persian Emperors would like a word on that issue. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/51 "2015-10-02T12:55:06Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Napoleon, Hitler and several Persian Emperors would like a word on that issue. I’m talking about today’s Russian military, not Russian military history. Yes, they have a proud military tradition, but that doesn’t mean they are properly maintaining all of their jet fighters. But we’ll see. I’m not terribly confident on my assertion – I’m no expert, and it’s only what I gather from my readings, and from discussions with the other ex-military guys in my office. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/52 "2015-10-02T13:10:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m talking about today’s Russian military, not Russian military history. Yes, they have a proud military tradition, but that doesn’t mean they are properly maintaining all of their jet fighters. > > But we’ll see. I’m not terribly confident on my assertion – I’m no expert, and it’s only what I gather from my readings, and from discussions with the other ex-military guys in my office. My office is a Navy engineering and logistics office at the Washington Navy Yard in DC, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/53 "2015-10-02T13:19:48Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I’m a little confused. Am I supposed to think that a new Cold War is a good thing? How else is the U.S. supposed to show that it has the biggest dick on the block? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/54 "2015-10-02T13:27:06Z")
> [@](#): > > Napoleon, Hitler and several Persian Emperors would like a word on that issue. After all, winter is coming. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/55 "2015-10-02T13:27:40Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Both Putin and Assad are gangsters and they need to be confronted. They’re all gangsters, though. Putin, Assad, Assad’s enemies and the Americans alike. Putin’s invasion of Chechnya killed some 25.000-200.000 civilians. Syria’s civil war has so far lead to some 220.000 deaths. The American invasion of Iraq lead to some 500.000 deaths. It’s all hell, all terrible, all bloodcurdling, and it ain’t no prettier when Americans do it than when Alawites do it. > [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Putin adds fuel to the fire and actually attacks American proxies. See, the word “proxies” implies control. Which Syrian faction would you say America actually _controls_? Not just favours or supports, but controls? > [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > The situation has become intolerable for millions of people. Sure, but an American invasion would not exactly make things better. Quite the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/56 "2015-10-02T14:35:58Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Napoleon, Hitler and several Persian Emperors would like a word on that issue. Well, if the Russians had brought a Russian winter with them to Syria… ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/57 "2015-10-02T14:37:25Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Getting involved further makes US weaker. That’s the lesson from the last 12 years, and from Vietnam. There’s no clear goal, unlike the 1st Gulf War (expel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait). > > Just stay out. If Russia wants to be involved, let them – it will only weaken them, most likely. Getting more involved just makes us weaker. I agree with iiandyiii. There is nothing to be gained here. Time for us to move along. But I do wish we would do more to aid Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/58 "2015-10-02T14:39:59Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I don’t think it will weaken the Russians. They have a clear objective and a plan to execute. Unlike the USA and the rest. Really? Do you believe that ISIL is going to roll over and surrender now that the Russians are in the fray? No. They know the Russians couldnt defeat an insurgency on their own border. If the Russian involvement is much more than air cover and logistics this is going to cost them mucho. That middle bit is about Afghanistan. I would imagine that ISIL are confident. Maybe they are at their usual deluded selves but we shall see, ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/59 "2015-10-02T14:41:09Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > How else is the U.S. supposed to show that it has the biggest dick on the block? Instagram? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187/60 "2015-10-02T14:59:51Z")
May we presume that the OP will be some of the first boots on the ground? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-obama-to-flex-some-big-muscle-in-syria/733187.md?page=4)