Posted on 06/30/2011 8:57:10 AM PDT by nuconvert
I was amazed when I read the Pawlenty speech on the Middle East. I hadnt expected that a former Middle Western governor, from a blue state, would have had the passion and vision to deliver one of the most impressive analyses and tough-minded policy ideas within memory. And I love the title, No Retreat from Freedoms Rise.
Here are the key graphs:
We have a clear interest in seeing an end to Assads murderous regime. By sticking to Bashar al Assad so long, the Obama Administration has not only frustrated Syrians who are fighting for freedomit has demonstrated strategic blindness. The governments of Iran and Syria are enemies of the United States. They are not reformers and never will be. They support each other. To weaken or replace one, is to weaken or replace the other.
The fall of the Assad mafia in Damascus would weaken Hamas, which is headquartered there. It would weaken Hezbollah, which gets its arms from Iran, through Syria. And it would weaken the Iranian regime itself.
To take advantage of this moment, we should press every diplomatic and economic channel to bring the Assad reign of terror to an end. We need more forceful sanctions to persuade Syrias Sunni business elite that Assad is too expensive to keep backing. We need to work with Turkey and the Arab nations and the Europeans, to further isolate the regime. And we need to encourage opponents of the regime by making our own position very clear, right now: Bashar al-Assad must go.
When he does, the mullahs of Iran will find themselves isolated and vulnerable. Syria is Irans only Arab ally. If we peel that away, I believe it will hasten the fall of the mullahs. And that is the ultimate goal we must pursue. Its the singular opportunity offered to the world by the brave men and women of the Arab Spring.
Who else in American public life is calling for regime change in Syria and Iran, and recognizes that bringing down the Tehran regime is the ultimate goal we must pursue?
Hes right, and its encouraging that at least someone is saying it. Perhaps some of the other candidates will see fit to start talking seriously about national security above and beyond the debt, unemployment, and so on. The country is at risk on both fronts, foreign and domestic, and our future success and survival depend on our winning on both fronts.
Meanwhile, at least Governor Pawlenty laid it out, while the administration dithers and retreats. It seems that Supreme Leader Khamenei warned Obama in a letter not to meddle in Syria to the detriment of the Assad regime. Actually he neednt have worried. That sort of thing would cut into the golfing schedule.
Funny how he is gung ho for new wars but opposes the wars we have.
“From the same Michael Ledeen who thought we should leave Saddam alone in Iraq. “
Would you give a link for that?
Why do I get the feeling TPaw’s tough talk was predicated on those he was talking against not being in the same room with him?
Many are still asking why Obambi rushed into Libya to take out Mohammar Ghaddafi, but steers clear of the biggest devil in the Middle East, Bashar al Assad of Syria. Something smells fishy.
Will oil pay for our Syria action too? or do we add it to our China credit card?
Such a cynical bunch ... as usual.
No one has been more consistent on the Middle East than Ledeen. No one has been more steadfast or focused.
As for Pawlenty, what is the point of criticising? He has set out the best possible position, and so far as I can tell no one here is disputing that.
It is precisely this sort of development that should give rise to optimism.
Well, it must be noted that posters ensure their RINO insinuations are made everywhere they go. It's perfunctory.
If you can't appreciate the pure beauty of the violin after hearing this, something's wrong with your ears.Or you can get raw with these strings. Either way, the violin is sweet yet lethal.
Do it!
——If you can’t appreciate the pure beauty of the violin after hearing this, something’s wrong with your ears.-——
And then there is this, the best of the best on the violin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCBdiutb-50
Wonderful strings.
If you can't appreciate the pure beauty of the violin after hearing this, something's wrong with your ears.Or you can get raw with these strings. Either way, the violin is sweet yet lethal.
Do it!
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