Posted on 12/13/2006 10:12:19 AM PST by section9
Well, folks, just spotted this gem in a John Podhoretz post on The Corner today. Methinks any thoughts of appeasing the Iranians and their young client, the Boy President, just went out the window. Think of this as a vision as to how we're going to handle the Syrians from here on in. Statement from the White House on behalf of the President:
The United States supports the Syrian people's desire for democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. Syrians deserve a government whose legitimacy is grounded in the consent of the people, not brute force.The Syrian regime should immediately free all political prisoners, including Aref Dalila, Michel Kilo, Anwar al-Bunni, Mahmoud Issa, and Kamal Labwani. I am deeply troubled by reports that some ailing political prisoners are denied health care while others are held in cells with violent criminals.
Syria should disclose the fate and whereabouts of the many missing Lebanese citizens who “disappeared” following their arrest in Lebanon during the decades of Syrian military occupation. The Syrian regime should also cease its efforts to undermine Lebanese sovereignty by denying the Lebanese people their right to participate in the democratic process free of foreign intimidation and interference.
The people of Syria hope for a prosperous future with greater opportunities for their children, and for a government that fights corruption, respects the rule of law, guarantees the rights of all Syrians, and works toward achieving peace in the region.
Okay, can you feel the sphincter muscle of the Boy President tighten, just a teentsie bit?
There was the Persian Fuhrer, feeling full of his oats, questioning the very rationale for the existence of the Zionist Entity, and then this thunderbolt happens, closely coordinated between Rice, Bush, and more than likely telegraphed to Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli Strategic Affairs minister, who handles the Iranian portfolio.
Let me tell you what this means. This last paragraph is a warning that Boy President's needs to behave or take the Dictator's Special to the two story golf villa that the CIA has ready for him in Indian Wells, California. They are openly questioning the legitimacy of the regime. Boy President never expected this. Right now, his undies are brown as he is reading this. He is an Alawite Shi'a ruling over a nation of sullen Sunnis.
He's made a devil's bargain with the Iranians. Can they protect him? They are far away. The Golani Brigade is close.
"and leads me to believe that Bush's planning for Iraq is on the strategic, not the tactical level."
This has been the case from the get go. Mistakes may have been made, but everything that has been done in the ME has always been played on the strategic level. The very concept of strategy that liberals lack.
The Bush Administration has been firing off warning shots in the direction of Syria for five-and-a-half years. I'm sure by now Assad shrugs his shoulders and concludes that the US will do nothing against him.
Most Americans haven't yet figured out that their lack of will in the overall war on terror (and Bush's inability to adequately frame the war in a way which will keep Americans' will strong), means that Syria and Iran have won. It's just a matter of time before Iraq will fall completely into chaos, the dream of a stable and democratic Iraq will give way to Islamist fanaticism (or the pan-Arab dream of Saddam).
Bush is undoubtedly waiting for Iraq to stabilize. Troops poured into Iraq now will focus there. Bush may have to pass his strategic plan on to the next administration.
Words, words words....
Talking tough is easy, but Syria and Iran don't think we have the conjones to follow up with action. I'm afraid they are right.
Don't be so sure about that. We're talking about President Bush, not the French John Kerry.
I may be wrong, but I've believed for quite some time that the best way to put real pressure on Iran is to take their pawns in Syria out. That secures Israel in many ways, aids greatly Lebanon's desires to be free and independent, and puts Iran in the awkward position of having to honor its defense treaty with Syria or back down. This needs to be done before Iran is a nuclear power and the sooner the better. If Syria cannot secure its borders to stop al Qaeda from going to Iraq, how can anyone expect Iraq to secure that border to prevent freedom fighters from going to Syria? There are many ways to turn up the heat and the limitation is more with imagination, guts, and persistence.
These type of statements should be the rule, not the exception. Too ofter, our statements are so couched in legalese that they lose all effectiveness.
Big long yawn!
When I see action I'll believe it. I have grown tired of the lack of balls and backbone in the WH lately. The firing of Sec. Rumsfeld and worse his replacement was the last straw for me.
Bush is supposed to be a weak sister. The entire Iranian strategy hinges on maintaining control of Syria. What if Bush has happened upon a strategy of winning in Iraq by dealing with Syria and resolving Iraq and Lebanon in one fell swoop. Anbar's insurgents get many of their supplies through the Syrian rat line.
Everyone is assuming that Bush will do nothing. What if everyone is wrong? What if Bush has made the fundamental decision to blow off the Dems and win?
What has he got to lose by winning? What President ever lost a legacy by letting the troops win their war?
This is as decisive a smackdown of Baker-Hamilton, and the Democrats, as could be expected from Bush. That's why I think it's important. It's a blantant call for regime change.
Be Seeing You, Chris
My more impetuous approach is that after Iran and Syria, there is not an open state sponsor of terror in that region. Pakistan has a problem area, but the government is playing ball with us. I think regime change in Iran and Syria would set the terrorists back big time. But it would be messy as well.
Your caution is duly noted. I think Bush has looked back on some of his "mistakes" and may have decided to correct a few.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Taught them Republicans a lesson on November 7th, didn't we? /s
Bashar al-Assad was born in Sept. 1965, so he is 41 now. He was only 34 when he became President. He was a baby, less than two years old, when Syria lost the Golan Heights in the Six Day War.
Unless, of course, he dies a glorious death leading his men in battle.
(....sound of crickets...)
Next?
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Unless, of course, he dies a glorious death leading his men in battle.
(....sound of crickets...)
Next?
Be Seeing You,
Chris
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