# We are currently bombing Syria.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-currently-bombing-syria/699292>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [September 23, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-currently-bombing-syria/699292 "2014-09-23T02:13:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 5

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**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-currently-bombing-syria/699292/81 "2014-09-24T17:11:22Z")

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> [@Terr](#):
>
> A couple of token planes are “just symbolic”. Even the “rag tag” Iraqi army could manage that just as well.

Iraqi air force has also been involved in strikes against ISIS.

Feel free to trivialize the significance of the actions and possible implications of this coalition if you must. In most ways, it’s way too early to tell if it will last or where it will ultimately lead. But right about now, you’ve got to be asking yourself, “If this succeeds, how will this affect the Jews?” 😉

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**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-currently-bombing-syria/699292/82 "2014-09-24T17:18:24Z")

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> [@Marley23](#):
>
> I understand the general point you’re making, but the sanctions on Iraq and no-fly zones as “support” for Saddam is just plain bizarre.

It \*was \*keeping him in power, albeit within limits. It would have been easy to remove him at any time - even Dubya could do it - but the US policy \*was \*to let him alone within constraints, in the cause of stability and relative peace. If that wasn’t support, it was close enough.

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**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-currently-bombing-syria/699292/83 "2014-09-24T17:21:25Z")

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> [@ElvisL1ves](#):
>
> It \*was \*keeping him in power, albeit within limits. It would have been easy to remove him at any time - even Dubya could do it - but the US policy \*was \*to let him alone within constraints, in the cause of stability and relative peace. If that wasn’t support, it was close enough.

Wasn’t the Iraqi no fly zone intended to keep him from bombing the Kurds?

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**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-currently-bombing-syria/699292/84 "2014-09-24T17:29:23Z")

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And the people in the river deltas that GWHB had let him bomb immediately after the first war (and after promising them our protection), also in the cause of letting Saddam stabilize his control of the country (there were 2 no-fly zones).

Preventing Saddam from executing further reprisals there, instead of simply taking him out, was, as bizarrely as \*\*Marley23 \*\*says, part of supporting him in power.

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