# Obama passing the ball to Congress for now - predictions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 1, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710 "2013-09-01T03:42:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/361 "2013-09-09T14:17:39Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > So . . . even Obama starting World War Three would relatively OK, because At Least He’s Not Bush. :dubious: > > Very illustrative post, thanks. Because it isn’t based on a lie. Except, who knows if this is really about chemical weapons. I’ve heard some talk about a planned LNG pipeline out of Qatar, though Syria and through to Western Europe. Assad won’t allow it. Maybe that’s the motive? Nah, probably that US foreign policy revolves around concern for dead Arabs. /snark Speaking of W, if we get dragged into Syria I bet Obama’s legacy goes down the tubes. So, would that ‘punish’ Obama? Better to have a respectable president and no war. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/362 "2013-09-09T14:53:22Z")
Latest from Kerry: US attack on Syria will be [“an unbelievably small, limited kind of effort.”](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/were-not-talking-about-war-kerry-outlines-unbelievably-small-strike-on-syria/article14184543/) Does this guy ever listen to what he says? ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/363 "2013-09-09T15:09:51Z")
From the above link, this was fun reading: > [@](#): > > Mr. Kerry indicated that the U.S. has not made a direct tie between President Assad and the attack. However, he suggested that doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/364 "2013-09-09T17:01:47Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > I’m not sure which comment is dumber. The idea that the government of Libya which has both government funded Sharia courts and religious schools is “secular” or that Libya doesn’t have several different “religious/ethnic factions who hate each other.” > > I’m guessing you’ve never met any Berbers or any of Libya’s Sub-Saharran Africans. The [General National Congress](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_National_Congress) is secular for its place-and-culture. The Justice and Construction Party (Muslim Brotherhood) holds only 17 seats out of 200, and there is no more radical Islamic faction represented. Most Libyans are Sunni Muslims, so the Sunni-Shi’a strife is not a factor. I know about the Berbers (though I’ve never met any), but AFAIK, they haven’t been making any trouble since the war ended. Blacks took it on the ear right after the war, but that seems to have quieted down and there were never very many. The most salient rivalries in Libya right now appear to be (1) tribal and (2) regional (some wanting independence or autonomy for Benghazi/Cyrenaica). The situation in Syria is **much** more volatile. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/365 "2013-09-09T17:07:33Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > The [General National Congress](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_National_Congress) is secular for its place-and-culture. The Justice and Construction Party (Muslim Brotherhood) holds only 17 seats out of 200, and there is no more radical Islamic faction represented. Most Libyans are Sunni Muslims, so the Sunni-Shi’a strife is not a factor. I know about the Berbers (though I’ve never met any), but AFAIK, they haven’t been making any trouble since the war ended. Blacks took it on the ear right after the war, but that seems to have quieted down and there were never very many. The most salient rivalries in Libya right now appear to be (1) tribal and (2) regional (some wanting independence or autonomy for Benghazi/Cyrenaica). > > The situation in Syria is **much** more volatile. [Special report: We all thought Libya had moved on – it has, but into lawlessness and ruin](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/special-report-we-all-thought-libya-had-moved-on--it-has-but-into-lawlessness-and-ruin-8797041.html) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/366 "2013-09-09T17:15:23Z")
Heard on NPR just now one opinion on Russia and China is that they feel they got burned on the Libyan resolution. (aside: Why can’t Libya and Syria put their damn "y"s in the same damn place in their names!) We told them the strikes would be limited and not aimed at regime change. Well, look what happened. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/367 "2013-09-09T18:43:02Z")
[Syria ‘Welcomes’ Russian Call to Give Up Chemical Weapons](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323595004579064600840673322.html) “Syria said it welcomed a Russian proposal that it hand over chemical weapons to be destroyed, without saying whether it would comply, as a suggestion by U.S. Secretary of State [John Kerry](http://topics.wsj.com/person/K/John-Kerry/7196) gained traction. Mr. Kerry said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government could prevent U.S. military action in response to what the U.S. said was a chemical-weapons attack on Aug. 21 by handing its chemical weapons to the international community. Syria has denied using chemical weapons and blamed Syrian rebels for the attack” Sensible, as in a convoluted way of continuing the civil war for a more years and a couple more hundred K dead; or simply a delaying tactic? It includes all the usual suspects: CIA agents in the organization recieving the weapons, hidden weapons, hidden manufacturing facilities, Syrian - Russian conspiracy, … ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/368 "2013-09-09T18:50:57Z")
So, Obama and Putin were absitively, posolutely, not going to have a private meeting at the G-Spot Summit. And then, they did. “Vlad, lets just sit over here, you and me, and talk some shit.” And this suggestion pops out of nowhere, Syria and Russia accept. OK-doke, so far, so good. A face saver for all concerned and an implicit understanding that Assad will not do it again. Where’s the problem? ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/369 "2013-09-09T18:53:26Z")
The problem is, has Kerry/Obama got the okay from Israel. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/370 "2013-09-09T18:56:12Z")
> [@BrokenBriton](#): > > The problem is, has Kerry/Obama got the okay from Israel. Again, for the Nth time - it is pretty obvious that Israel is quite content if the Al Queda vs. Hezbullah civil war in Syria goes on for the next 100 years. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/371 "2013-09-09T19:05:00Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [Special report: We all thought Libya had moved on – it has, but into lawlessness and ruin](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/special-report-we-all-thought-libya-had-moved-on--it-has-but-into-lawlessness-and-ruin-8797041.html) In that regard, Libya is starting to look more & more like Somalia: the real power lies with the local militias and the warlords that control them, and the official government is largely impotent. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/372 "2013-09-09T19:09:29Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > In that regard, Libya is starting to look more & more like Somalia: the real power lies with the local militias and the warlords that control them, and the official government is largely impotent. WAY better than having Qaddaffi in power, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/373 "2013-09-09T19:10:58Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Again, for the Nth time - it is pretty obvious that Israel is quite content if the Al Queda vs. Hezbullah civil war in Syria goes on for the next 100 years. You’re in the wrong wood barking up the wrong tree. Who gives a fuck when one end of the spectrum is the possibility of stores of chemical weapons moving between various unknown radicals in a fractured society. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/374 "2013-09-09T19:20:56Z")
> [@BrokenBriton](#): > > You’re in the wrong wood barking up the wrong tree. > > Who gives a fuck when one end of the spectrum is the possibility of stores of chemical weapons moving between various unknown radicals in a fractured society. See, that would happen if rebels won. But if Assad is strong enough to continue the civil war (but not to win it decisively, hopefully), that won’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/375 "2013-09-09T21:08:11Z")
There is no win/lose, not for years. This is about now and who controls what this week. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/376 "2013-09-09T22:09:44Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Again, for the Nth time - it is pretty obvious that Israel is quite content if the Al Queda vs. Hezbullah civil war in Syria goes on for the next 100 years. But assuming it does end – which side do they want to win? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/377 "2013-09-09T22:18:31Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > But assuming it does end – which side do they want to win? Rock and a hard place. Neither, really. But as I said Assad(s) kept the border quiet for close to 40 years. So, if I had to guess, I would say Assad. Hopefully a very weakened Assad busy rebuilding. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/378 "2013-09-09T23:31:43Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Rock and a hard place. Neither, really. But as I said Assad(s) kept the border quiet for close to 40 years. So, if I had to guess, I would say Assad. Hopefully a very weakened Assad busy rebuilding. +1 to this. Best hope is that Assad manages to not lose control of any chem weapons to Al Qaeda, and he succeeds in killing _lots_ of them, and that, at the end of the day, he’s still on top of the heap of rubble, and far too worn out / busy / broke to cause any trouble for Israel or us. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/379 "2013-09-10T01:50:25Z")
Sure, OK, but how long will he stay too worn out, busy, and or broke? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710/380 "2013-09-10T01:52:47Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Sure, OK, but how long will he stay too worn out, busy, and or broke? Again, see the teaching donkey how to talk story. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-passing-the-ball-to-congress-for-now-predictions/667710.md?page=20)