Obama to Assad: Using Chemical Weapons is a Red Line

Arutz Sheva ^ | 21/8/12 | Elad Benari

[Eleutheria5]

U.S. President Barack Obama issued a direct warning to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday, saying he should heed U.S. warnings to neither use nor move chemical or biological weapons, CNN reported.

“We cannot have a situation where chemical or biological weapons are falling into the hands of the wrong people,” Obama told reporters at the White House. "We have been very clear to the Assad regime -- but also to other players on the ground -- that a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized.”

He added, “That would change my calculus; that would change my equation.”

Obama said that U.S. officials are monitoring the situation "very carefully" and have put together a number of contingency plans.

“We have communicated in no uncertain terms with every player in the region that that's a red line for us and that there would be enormous consequences if we start seeing movement on the chemical weapons front or the use of chemical weapons,” CNN quoted him as having said.

Obama's remarks come after he said last month that the Syrian leadership “will be held accountable by the international community and the United States should they make the tragic mistake of using those weapons.”

.....

[chiefqc]

What it means is that mac daddy is already preparing a strongly worded e-mail with all cap and in bold letters telling him how mad he is and if he does not stop mac daddy will throw himself on the floor, kick his feet and scream like a spoiled brat for not getting his way.

There that should put the fear in him, time to tee off.

[Eleutheria5]

Agree with all said.

[Eleutheria5]

That’ll sure happen./sarc

[PapaBear3625]

What my point is, is that the various Muslim powers are pushing Israel into thinking they need to take dramatic action, on the order of Deuteronomy 20:16, in order to survive.

Perhaps Israel could adopt a policy of assassination of the more outspoken clerics and political leaders, plus the wealthy Arabs that finance the radicals?

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you. Take care...

[DoughtyOne]

There’s a lot of turmoil in the region. Some government/political leaders feel compelled to go on the record in opposition to Israel, to curry favor with radicals. Other leaders religious in nature, think there is a green light to capitalize on old Jewish/Israeli hatreds.

I don’t see evidence that these loud mouthed political leaders are massing troops on Israel’s borders. They’re almost almost all just shooting off their mouths.

It’s not a good time for enhanced Israeli regional image, that’s certain. I’m not sure how much it really changes things. These people have been steeped in anti-Israeli rhetoric their entire lives.

So what does Israel do? Does it pretty much think of it as business as usual, which it pretty much is? Does it think of it as something new and take drastic action to eliminate it?

I fully support Israel taking out Iran’s nuclear capabilities, if it can. In the absence of the U. S. taking action, ‘someone’ has to. As for taking out regional loudmouths, I’m not convinced that helps matters.

Loudmouths are pretty much forgotten in short order. Martyrs aren’t.

[Eleutheria5]

There are indeed more Egyptian troops and armor in the Sinai than any time since 1973. That’s more than the usual loudmouths. Assad’s regime is fighting for its life, one of the ways to win would be to attack Israel, or sucker Israel into attacking Syria. Iran is doing more than shooting of its mouth. I’d say it’s not business as usual, but initiating overt war would be a bad mistake, unless it involves an immediate and drastic degradation of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. We need an increased covert war, which brings us to assassination of radical clerics (previous post)? We’ll get some sharks and wild pigs right on it, maybe a few trained snakes and ravens, too.

[DoughtyOne]

Iran is almost laughable. They are trying to curry favor with Arabs across the Middle-East. At the same time, they are alarming other governments across the same region. When haven’t they spewed against Israel? As a result, you’ve got governments in the region considering giving the U. S. or Israel transit rights. They won’t do it publicly, but I’ll guarantee you Saudi Arabia will not tolerate a nuclear armed Iran.

Syria is desperate. Sure they may try to pull something against Israel. What’s that going to result in? It will result in the leadership of Syria being removed, and Syrian insurgents being successful. That looks an awful lot like Syrian leadership lose/lose to me.

Egypt’s tanks can be taken out in short order. If they move closer than that thirty mile perimeter, that’s what will happen.

So yes, things are ratcheted up in the region. Israel has been here before.

Is military action imminent? I’m not convinced of that at all.

[Eleutheria5]

Imminent, no. Highly likely, yes. I wish I shared your optimism about Egypt and Syria, or your assurance that Arabs will do what is rational. They are, on the one hand, thoroughly opportunistic and Macheiavellian to the umpteenth degree. That’s their good point, such as it is. On the other hand, if they’re riled up enough, they are highly prone towards wildly irrational violence.

The MB exists to rile up Muslims. It was founded by a Muslim who got real upset because there were dancing girls shaking their fannies at a British military canteen. It has been inciting pogroms, riots and wars ever since.

It’s now in power in several countries, most notably Egypt, our neighbor, which now has tanks in the Sinai. If Egypt should decide, in a state of religious exuberance following a particularly gory Copt crucifixion, to go to war with Israel, it is dead certainty that Basher Assad will join in, and Saudia’s informal agreement to not look up while Israeli planes are flying to Iran will be in abeyance. To permit it then would cause the King to lose face, you see. For the UN Security Council (which normally can’t agree on the color of s@#%) to fail to pass a resolution condemning the raid would then be unthinkable, perhaps this time with real sanctions to back them up.

It’s all very well to speak of a quick victory by Israel and the collapse of Assad’s regime, thereby fracturing Syria’s alliance with the Shiites in Lebanon and Iran. That’s what the news that happens on TV will talk about.

But I have a nephew in the IDF (I’m his sandek, which is sort of like a godfather), plus my good friends who immigrated from India at the same time we came from America have their only son in uniform now. My son’s tutor from last year is also wearing green and carrying heat. Even quick victories can have some highly personal consequences. Every time I see infants like them strutting down the street with their guns, packs and walky talkies, the prospect of war becomes ever more painful.

I live in Judah and Samaria. The Left would love to bulldoze the lot of us and send us packing. They may get their wish, even if we beat Egypt and Syria yet again, and bomb Iran. Perhaps especially then.

Hopefully an angel will appear from on high and stay the hand of somebody or other from sacrificing these modern-day Isaacs on this unworthy altar. But I doubt it.

[Eleutheria5]

Imminent, no. Highly likely, yes. I wish I shared your optimism about Egypt and Syria, or your assurance that Arabs will do what is rational. They are, on the one hand, thoroughly opportunistic and Macheiavellian to the umpteenth degree. That’s their good point, such as it is. On the other hand, if they’re riled up enough, they are highly prone towards wildly irrational violence.

The MB exists to rile up Muslims. It was founded by a Muslim who got real upset because there were dancing girls shaking their fannies at a British military canteen. It has been inciting pogroms, riots and wars ever since.

It’s now in power in several countries, most notably Egypt, our neighbor, which now has tanks in the Sinai. If Egypt should decide, in a state of religious exuberance following a particularly gory Copt crucifixion, to go to war with Israel, it is dead certainty that Basher Assad will join in, and Saudia’s informal agreement to not look up while Israeli planes are flying to Iran will be in abeyance. To permit it then would cause the King to lose face, you see. For the UN Security Council (which normally can’t agree on the color of s@#%) to fail to pass a resolution condemning the raid would then be unthinkable, perhaps this time with real sanctions to back them up.

It’s all very well to speak of a quick victory by Israel and the collapse of Assad’s regime, thereby fracturing Syria’s alliance with the Shiites in Lebanon and Iran. That’s what the news that happens on TV will talk about.

But I have a nephew in the IDF (I’m his sandek, which is sort of like a godfather), plus my good friends who immigrated from India at the same time we came from America have their only son in uniform now. My son’s tutor from last year is also wearing green and carrying heat. Even quick victories can have some highly personal consequences. Every time I see infants like them strutting down the street with their guns, packs and walky talkies, the prospect of war becomes ever more painful.

I live in Judah and Samaria. The Left would love to bulldoze the lot of us and send us packing. They may get their wish, even if we beat Egypt and Syria yet again, and bomb Iran. Perhaps especially then.

Hopefully an angel will appear from on high and stay the hand of somebody or other from sacrificing these modern-day Isaacs on this unworthy altar. But I doubt it.

[DoughtyOne]

Imminent, no. Highly likely, yes. I wish I shared your optimism about Egypt and Syria, or your assurance that Arabs will do what is rational. They are, on the one hand, thoroughly opportunistic and Macheiavellian to the umpteenth degree. That’s their good point, such as it is. On the other hand, if they’re riled up enough, they are highly prone towards wildly irrational violence.

I don't make the claim that Arabs will do what is rational.  I think they will do what they percieve as in their best interest.  Watching their fellow brethren, get obliterated for their trouble, tends to make people think better of following the same path.  That's all.  I don't disagree with your characterizations here.  I think thy are entirely rational.

The MB exists to rile up Muslims. It was founded by a Muslim who got real upset because there were dancing girls shaking their fannies at a British military canteen. It has been inciting pogroms, riots and wars ever since.

I agree with this too.  And in time I do expect the MB to be a serious threat to Israel.  I say this, because I am not convinced the MB entites across the region are autonomous.  I think they are related, calculating, and receiving direction from much more radical leaders than most folks think they are.

It’s now in power in several countries, most notably Egypt, our neighbor, which now has tanks in the Sinai. If Egypt should decide, in a state of religious exuberance following a particularly gory Copt crucifixion, to go to war with Israel, it is dead certainty that Basher Assad will join in, and Saudia’s informal agreement to not look up while Israeli planes are flying to Iran will be in abeyance. To permit it then would cause the King to lose face, you see. For the UN Security Council (which normally can’t agree on the color of s@#%) to fail to pass a resolution condemning the raid would then be unthinkable, perhaps this time with real sanctions to back them up.

I don't like the tanks in the Sanai either.  I do see it as a testing of Israel.  "Lets see what we can get away with."  I do think Israel has counter-measures for those tanks.  If Egypt were foolish enough to try to use them, I think the remaining tanks would return to their proper location in Egypt in short order, with their tourets between their hind treads.

It’s all very well to speak of a quick victory by Israel and the collapse of Assad’s regime, thereby fracturing Syria’s alliance with the Shiites in Lebanon and Iran. That’s what the news that happens on TV will talk about.

Honestly, the end results of a Syrian collapse is anybody's guess.  Your thoughts are equally or better related to my own.  I'm not trying to imply otherwise.  I offer my thoughts, but even the experts aren't sure what the heck the results will be.

But I have a nephew in the IDF (I’m his sandek, which is sort of like a godfather), plus my good friends who immigrated from India at the same time we came from America have their only son in uniform now. My son’s tutor from last year is also wearing green and carrying heat. Even quick victories can have some highly personal consequences. Every time I see infants like them strutting down the street with their guns, packs and walky talkies, the prospect of war becomes ever more painful.

And that's only natural.  I share your concern.  Of course you have more vested in it, but I still believe Israel is the chosen nation of God.  I do not think He is going to abandon it.  I see Islam as the religion of the anti-Christ, and it's my take that our God is real, and theirs is an agent of a being that has already been defeated by our God.

I live in Judah and Samaria. The Left would love to bulldoze the lot of us and send us packing. They may get their wish, even if we beat Egypt and Syria yet again, and bomb Iran. Perhaps especially then.

There is that dynamic too.  I understand that.  I can only tell you that I care what happens to you folks.  I don't fully understand some of the dynamics of what takes place in Israel.  I can tell you that I am fully in support of Israel and it's citizens.

Hopefully an angel will appear from on high and stay the hand of somebody or other from sacrificing these modern-day Isaacs on this unworthy altar. But I doubt it.

In time, better than that will happen.  Until then, we are to endure.

I note that the Arabs that like to call themselves Palestinians are sick and tired of their leadership too.  That seems to be an epidemic in the region doesn't it.  Too bad these people couldn't take note of Israel, it's success, and desire to emulate it, rather than destroy it.  None the less, we know that's not going to happen.

[Eleutheria5]

“And that’s only natural. I share your concern. Of course you have more vested in it, but I still believe Israel is the chosen nation of God. I do not think He is going to abandon it.”

Yes, but I believe that in spite of the Holocaust, which begs the question: How many more such detours are we in for? We’re not abandoned, but G-d has already caused some extreme things to happen while not abandoning us. I could do with out any new ones, such as an idiotic war with Egypt, Syria, Iran or any combination thereof, and the attendant dead teenagers who thought they were John Wayne.

[DoughtyOne]

And that’s only natural. I share your concern. Of course you have more vested in it, but I still believe Israel is the chosen nation of God. I do not think He is going to abandon it.

Yes, but I believe that in spite of the Holocaust, which begs the question: How many more such detours are we in for? We’re not abandoned, but G-d has already caused some extreme things to happen while not abandoning us. I could do with out any new ones, such as an idiotic war with Egypt, Syria, Iran or any combination thereof, and the attendant dead teenagers who thought they were John Wayne.

When I respond to comments like these, it can sometimes appear that these things don't cause me much concern.  I address them academically.  That doesn't always express my overall thoughts on certain events.  You need to know that.

In response to you, you are in for the detours God deems necessary.  That's not going to be comforting unless you are well grounded in your faith.  The Holocaust was something God allowed [didn't cause], but it resulted in the nation of Israel coming into being once again.  He may allow future things to happen, for similar reasons.  We may not even grasp why.  In the end, it won't matter.

Could you do without Israel?  Out of pain comes birth, growth, rededication, resolve, a return to core beliefs as a people.

What happened in the Holocaust was a blight on human civilization.  The whole concept repulses me in ways few things do.  None the less, you are able to look at something that came out of it.

Imagine living in Russia, China, or Cambodia, watching the deaths of millions or tens of millions of individuals, where nothing good resulted.

I personally can't dismiss the fact that God watches over you.  This is actually a core point of my faith. 

So the Israelis have both my profound sympathy for what has taken place in the past, and my appreciation for what God has facilitated for you and continues to facilitate for you.  It makes me realize that He still intervenes on our behalf, Jews/Israelis, Christians, and others who associate with us.

All the best...

[Eleutheria5]

“Holocaust was something God allowed [didn’t cause]”

Caused. There is nothing that is not caused by G-d. Was He happy to do it? No. But He did it.

[DoughtyOne]

Well, I believe God is/does good and Satan is/does evil.

I believe that God has the power to prevent Satan from doing things, but if He does it, the universe fails to see what the real wages of sin actually are.

I respect your view. I’m not here to convince you of anything.

You take care. Every good wish to you...

[musicman]

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[Eleutheria5]

At the risk of starting a theological debate, I reject the idea of Satan as an independent adversary of G-d. I believe that that’s inimical to monotheism. I view Satan as a provocateur/prosecutor/jailor in the employ of G-d for the purpose of keeping free choice going. Hitler was part of the Divine Plan, and the torture and mass slaughter that he unleashed on the world was the greatest benefit and kindness that G-d could possibly bestow on the victims, whose souls are eternal and indestructible, and had been on earth before. This does, of course, sound bizarre on its face. But let’s leave it at that. I would greatly prefer a more revealed form of Divine Kindness, especially where my nephew and godson is concerned, and all the other babes with new toys.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for your response. We’re rather wide apart on this issue, but I’m not here to debate an issue like this with you. I will mention what my take on things are, but that’s more or less informational.

You’ve got a reason for the things you believe. That’s fine with me.

Take care.