1. We attack with cruise missiles and stand off weapons and it does not seriously degrade his military. To degrade his military we would need boots on the ground.
2. This attack will not degrade his ability to deliver chemical attacks as he has already dispersed his chemical weapons all over Syria and probably in civilian areas to preclude us from attacking the munition stores.
3. After an attack Assad will have no compunction to not use chemical weapons in mass against the rebels and perhaps Israel if he is that nuts.
4. Assad runs wild with his military.
5. Israel delivers a devastating blow to Syria if they are attacked. If Syria delivered a truly damaging strike to Israel they might even go nuclear.
NOW COMES THE NIGHTMARES.
A. Israel goes nuclear?
B. The USA and Russia wind up in a conventional or nuclear stand off. Assad is their close ally.
C. The USA puts boots on the ground in Syria, which is a real nightmare.
QUESTIONS:
A. Why would Assad use chemical weapons against a mainly civilian area knowing full well that this could bring the USA into the conflict against him. Currently Assad is winning the conventional battle. Was it Assad or the rebels that used the chemical weapons?
B. Why in the hell should the USA help the rebels? The rebels are mainly Al Queda and Al Queda affiliates.
C. If we are successful in ousting Assad, what will be the result and who will be the new government of Syria and will they be hostile to us?
FACTS:
A. Assad is anti West and our enemy but he is rational.
B. Al Queda is anti West and our enemy and not rational. If the rebels win, Al Queda will have access to vast chemical weapon stores and an ample supply of shoulder launched surface to air missiles. The next time you see those missiles could be in London, Paris, Rome, New York etc.
C. Our two enemies are killing each other with great abandon. What is not to like about this?
D. Russia has a strategic interests that they might back up with military might. They have a vital naval base in Syria on the Med.
D. Innocent civilians are being killed by the tens of thousands by both sides.
SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM
A. Establish an enclave in Southern Syria on the Jordanian border. Give civilians humanitarian aid and protection.
B. Give war a chance and let our enemies kill each other and hope they kill each other down to the last damn man!
C. Tell John McCain and his little buddy Lindsey from South Carolina to shut the hell up.
yours thoughts may be ahead of the Obama teams thinking,