# Obama orders clandestine support of Syrian rebels **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 1, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116 "2012-08-01T23:10:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/41 "2012-08-02T03:15:09Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > No, I’m saying Netanyahu has been purposefully undermining Obama at every turn to help Romney (who is clearly much more amenable to Netanyahu). The Obama administration, thus having been painted as anti-Israeli and soft on Iran, has to leak info (like StuxNet) to the press to prove that, no, they aren’t soft on Iran or letting Israel down. This nonsense is gainsaid by the fact that two of the leaks include the US revealing that [Saudi Arabia and Israel were going to cooperate to attack Iran](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37653040/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/saudis-clear-israel-bomb-iran/#.UBnve_ZlQxg) and [Azerbaijan was going to, as well.](http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=263894) That doesn’t even touch on the leak from two anonymous administration members (gainsaid by a third, also anonymous member) that we were certain Israel was behind the assassinations of Iranian scientists. You’ve constructed some odd sort of conspiracy where Netanyahu is trying to influence American politics, and you’re ignoring vital information in order to attempt to make your claims stick. As for you not grokking why it wasn’t in the US’ interest to be taking public responsibility for an attack on a nation with a long history of launching terrorist attacks at United States personnel in specific and civilians in general… eh, I’m sure you can figure it out. You might also want to read up on the subject. That I’m merely “claiming” that Iran’s been retaliating for Stuxnet is risible given Iranian involvement in attacks carried out against Israeli consular personnel. P.S. confirming our development of specific cyberweaponry, its development cycle, its mode of use etc… is, also, not opaquely a poor choice. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/42 "2012-08-02T03:43:37Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > This administration has awful, awful problems with leaks and/or publicizing information that should be completely unknown. From confirming that Stuxnet was American to this, they really need to get their shit together. Yes, opposing the Syrian regime may (possibly) be good for the regional in general, especially if it stops Iran from funneling weaponry to Hezbollah quite as easily. But letting the world know we’re doing it? > > Fucking stupid. I might have been deliberate. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/43 "2012-08-02T03:52:44Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > . As for the American point of view, I doubt we can slip any lower in the esteem of the Ayatollahs. . Yes, you can. Part of the Iranian leaders would prefer better relationships with the USA. Attacks are obviously going to undermine their position. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/44 "2012-08-02T03:58:09Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > We’ll be welcomed as liberators! Hey, this time it’s reasonable! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/45 "2012-08-02T05:02:57Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > The Arab League wants Assad gone. Al Jazeera has been broadcasting accounts of his atrocities for months, and decent people in every country know he’s a tyrant of the worst sort. > > I think an _open_ campaign to help topple his regime wins us many more friends than enemies. Agreed that Assad has to go . . . Only, [what then?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=641072) ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/46 "2012-08-02T14:48:05Z")
“Be careful what you wish for…in case your wishes come true” Man, what a mess. What is likely to emerge in Syria will probably be something that neither the USA or Israel wants. It may well break up into several states. I hope the USA stays out of this. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/47 "2012-08-02T14:59:08Z")
We have another Lebonon in the making. The rebels are brutal extremists. Civil war and genocide of innocents is likley to follow without U.N. oversight. The mid east is a mess. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/48 "2012-08-02T15:05:27Z")
> [@badger5149](#): > > The rebels are brutal extremists. And Assad is brutalizing everybody as he tries to hang on to power. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/49 "2012-08-02T15:10:15Z")
And just ask Der Trihs…America is brutal too. Russia is pretty brutal for sticking with the status quo…and China as well. And don’t even get me started about Belgium… It’s a brutal, brutal world. Oh, the humanity… ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/50 "2012-08-02T15:36:58Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > "Man, what a mess. What is likely to emerge in Syria will probably be something that neither the USA or Israel wants. . What matters is whether or not Syrians will be better of. I used to think that Assad was a “regular” dictator (like say, Pinochet, as opposed to the most bloody butchers like Saddam Hussein), but what he did during this revolution has been absolutely horrific. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/51 "2012-08-02T16:04:38Z")
Assad’s brutality should be a lesson to the world that crap like this still is happening and can happen. Hopefully he will fall and the new government isn’t just as bad. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/52 "2012-08-02T16:59:19Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > confirming our development of specific cyberweaponry, its development cycle, its mode of use etc… is, also, not opaquely a poor choice. This is the part that bugs me with the Stuxnet admission. That, along with removing that sense from the Iranian regime of being hit with something out of nowhere and not knowing what or who hit them. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/53 "2012-08-02T17:11:50Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > That, along with removing that sense from the Iranian regime of being hit with something out of nowhere and not knowing what or who hit them. Yes, I’m sure the Iranians never would have guessed the two countries most firmly opposed to their nuclear program were responsible. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/54 "2012-08-02T17:16:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Yes, I’m sure the Iranians never would have guessed the two countries most firmly opposed to their nuclear program were responsible. Let them guess. What do we gain by the admission? And tipping our hand as to our cyberwar capabilities? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/55 "2012-08-02T17:34:01Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > What do we gain by the admission? And tipping our hand as to our cyberwar capabilities? Nothing, and I’m not saying the leak is a good idea. But the concept that Iran had no idea who or what hit it is far fetched. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/56 "2012-08-02T18:01:04Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Nothing, and I’m not saying the leak is a good idea. But the concept that Iran had no idea who or what hit it is far fetched. Eh, you’re probably right. Even if they weren’t sure its a pretty short list of suspects and they likely view at least the US and Israel as a cabal anyway. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/57 "2012-08-02T18:29:43Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > What matters is whether or not Syrians will be better of. > > I used to think that Assad was a “regular” dictator (like say, Pinochet, as opposed to the most bloody butchers like Saddam Hussein), but what he did during this revolution has been absolutely horrific. Actually, [what Pinochet did](http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Augusto_Pinochet#Dictatorship) was pretty bloody. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/58 "2012-08-02T19:16:35Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Nothing, and I’m not saying the leak is a good idea. But the concept that Iran had no idea who or what hit it is far fetched. There’s a difference between guessing, and having us remove all doubt. Nobody said that Iran “had no idea”, but waving our hands and shouting “Hey, it was us, whatcha gonna do about it!” is not wise. Not the least of which because we should be trying to win friends among the Iranian people and using Israel as the “bad cop” in this situation could’ve easily been used to our advantage in leveraging Iran at the negotiating table. That’s pretty much turned to shit now, though. They also now know the location and personnel which/who conducted the development of Stuxnet. No bueno. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/59 "2012-08-02T22:56:52Z")
Correction: Obama orders formerly clandestine support of Syrian rebels… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116/60 "2012-08-02T23:20:59Z")
Of course, the [Freeptards](http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2913475/posts) assume Obama is doing this for the sake of his brothers in Islam. But I notice nobody comes out and says they want Assad to win this war. It does present them with rather a cognitive-dissonance problem, I suppose, since Assad is backed by Russia. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-orders-clandestine-support-of-syrian-rebels/630116.md?page=4)