Posted on 08/28/2013 11:55:52 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
(Reuters) - Most Americans want no part of a U.S. military intervention in Syria, but there is a growing sense in Washington that President Barack Obama would face more political risks from a weak response to Syria's use of chemical weapons than from an attack on Bashar al-Assad's government.
As Obama's administration builds a case for a likely military action in Syria, several analysts said such a move probably would not have lingering negative consequences for the president at home - as long as the intervention was short-lived.
By declaring last year that Assad would cross a "red line" that could trigger a U.S. response if he used chemical weapons, Obama ensured that foreign foes and allies - as well as his Republican political rivals - would view any failure to respond as a sign of presidential weakness.
"Obama has to consider the implications for other policy areas if he fails to act," said William Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, who was a domestic policy adviser to President Bill Clinton. "Doing nothing - that is what would be devastating."
After the chemical attack near Damascus last week that killed hundreds of Syrian adults and children and injured many more, Obama "doesn't have that luxury," of inaction, he said.
Obama, who has long been wary of any involvement in Syria's civil war, and U.S. allies appeared on Tuesday to be carefully laying the groundwork for a coordinated military response.
POLLS SHOW SINKING SUPPORT FOR INTERVENTION
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
**********************************************
Syrian PM warns country will become a 'graveyard for invaders'...
UN: 'Give peace a chance'...
DOES OBAMA KNOW HE'S FIGHTING ON AL QAEDA'S SIDE?
Strikes 'likely to trigger terrorists acts against USA, Israel'...
ISRAEL CALLS UP RESERVISTS AFTER THREATS...
REPORT: Calls intercepted 'prove' nerve gas...
Jordan: We won't help...
CLAIM: Al Qaeda-linked group behind Benghazi trains jihadists for Syria...
UN: Wait 4 Days...
But it would release all the nut jobs on Americans.
Respond in such a way that it can be said he did something to punish Assad.
But not enough to really do anything,...other that spend Money!
Been watching the Business Channels....they have this action as their Big topic.
It’s wag the Dog time. I don’t hear anyone talking about Benghazi lately.
Do you think he has a problem with that?
Obama doesn’t decide if it is a “brief” military action. He is not the only player. Only a fool would believe Obama can control what happens once he unleashes the dogs of war and shoots at a gasoline tank.
Other than making a “statement,” what would a “brief” military action accomplish? According to what I read the gas has been widely dispersed to prevent it from being destroyed in a handful of raids. (Making it much more likely that it will be captured or used by a desperate field commander without orders, as appears to be the recent case.) Is this brief military action a fashion statement?
What happens if Obama is successful and the Assad regime collapses? The “rebels” will fall on one another and the various sectarian groups and a general slaughter will take place. Will Obama move in and try to prevent it? Won’t that just make the US forces the focus of their US supplied ammunition? What will the ROI be? Hold your fire until you’ve been shot at least once?
WTF is wrong with this world?
Analysis: Brief military action in Viet Nam would limit risks for LBJ...
The No Fault Pres__ency
The No Fault (much less a clue) CONgre$$
What next?
I don’t think it does limit risk. US lobs cruise missiles in and they do no appreciable damage. Syria responds with missiles of its own on Israel. Israel cannot respond by ONLY attacking Syria, it must pre-empt Iran and here we go.
Now after he starts it, do you really think Obama will come to the aid of Israel? Not on your life. This would get really, really messy in a hurry.
I suspect that the major US media will stop reporting on events quickly, Obama will go back to the golf course, and the average voter will go back to sleep. There probably won't be any overt ground invasion, at all; maybe the NSA/CIA will stay to cause trouble.
Analysis: (Bush) Administration officials see "slam dunk" for quick success in Iraq...
He’s hoping so he can suspend the Constitution and declare martial law. Oh, and make him president for life or until the unrest ceases.
This is all about Obama BIN Slim Daddy's stupid big mouth cashing a check that the American public does not want to cover.
O have not been following the polls.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.