Posted on 09/20/2015 6:09:38 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
John Kerry softened America’s demand yesterday that Syria’s dictator must step down, declaring that the timing of Bashar al-Assad’s departure was open to negotiation.
The US secretary of state retreated from the earlier US position that Assad’s removal must be the first step towards resolving Syria’s civil war.
He spoke as the regime carried out a series of air strikes near the ancient city of Palmyra, which has fallen into the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil). The Syrian air force flew as many as 25 sorties, killing perhaps 26 people on the ground, including Isil fighters.
Assad has been emboldened by Russia’s decision to provide direct military support. In recent weeks, Russian tanks and troops have been deployed in Syria, along with a small number of advanced jet fighters.
Russia’s goal appears to be to prevent Assad from suffering more battlefield defeats while also complicating any escalation of America’s air campaign against Isil targets in Syria.
Britain is considering whether to join the air strikes in Syria and Mr Kerry visited London to discuss the situation with Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary.
Mr Kerry made clear that America could accept a Syrian peace settlement that left Assad in power for an interim period. "We're not being doctrinaire about the specific date or time [for Assad’s departure] - we're open," said Mr Kerry.
“It doesn't have to be on day one or month one. There is a process by which all the parties have to come together and reach an understanding of how this can best be achieved.”
Mr Kerry noted that Isil and other extremists emerged from Assad’s campaign against Syria’s largely Sunni population. By intervening directly in Syria, Russia may allow an escalation of this offensive – and end up boosting Isil.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
With Putin now openly backing Assad with Russian troops and equipment, that won’t be happening Mr. Secretary.
Obama and John F*ckin’ have capitulated to the manly Putin.
Who shows his contempt for them by flexing his muscles.
America is the paper tiger of the world.
Imagine a man with normal intelligence.
Now, imagine that man with an intellect six sigmas to the left of that normal man’s intelligence.
You then have Lurch Kerry, the multiverse’s most stupid human.
They now demand a shrubbery.
Actually, two, with a path in between for the two-level effect.
Russia is defending its allies with troops and military aid.
America cuts deals with its enemies and tells its allies to go fend for themselves.
If you have to choose, America is far more dangerous as a friend than as an enemy.
Toppling dictators of muslim countries has worked out so well in Iraq and Libya, after all............
And Putin would be would be the first to note America created the disaster in Syria because Obama accepted his offer to ease America out of its agony on whether to follow through on its red line pledge to remove Assad from power.
Its a little for America to criticize Russia for helping it avoid fulfilling that pledge, with all too predictable consequences.
John Kerry, a man who has made a career out of stupidity and how high it can get you in government.
They want to repeat a Libya. Destroy a leader that has given up its WMD and threatened noone so Islamic terrorist could take over
Putin and his boys sit around drinking vodka while discussing Kerry and Obama and they wet their pants laughing how easy it is to roll these two idiots.
John surrender Kerry is back
Its funny even now we’re talking about Iraq, yet noone ever talk about the mess Obama left in Libya and Syria is a destruction in progress
Obama of the No Lines.
If I was Putin, I would be laughing my head off.
The Americans are not the tough guys who saw off the Soviet Union.
..gives Putin green light for his military expansion.
Some random thoughts.
The Syrians launched 25 sorties and only killed 26 people? At thousands of dollars per hour to operate, not including ammunition expended, that’s a terrible return on investment.
The big losers here, across the board, are the Saudis, who financed the initial revolution and invested heavily. They expected to get a pipeline to the Mediterranean so they could do an end-around the Iranian blockade that is sure to happen when Iran gets the bomb. Any peace under the current circumstances of Russia and Iran running the show will prevent a pipeline deal. The Saudis must be stewing about this.
Without Russian help Assad can’t be made to surrender or negotiate. The Russians have too much to lose to help achieve American goals. What is their incentive?
No side can afford to negotiate a deal that leaves the other side in power. If they do, they are begging to be exterminated the moment they lay down their arms. Any thought of negotiation by any party is idiocy.
RE: The Syrians launched 25 sorties and only killed 26 people
Were these 26 ISIS fighters or civilians?
What about weapons, equipment and other military infrastructure? Were they destroyed?
Don’t Piss off Putin.
Right now the number one priority of our federal government is to ensure that the EBT, WIC and SNAP cards are topped up at the beginning of every month. Without that the drug culture and campaign financing collapses.
“RE: The Syrians launched 25 sorties and only killed 26 people
Were these 26 ISIS fighters or civilians?
What about weapons, equipment and other military infrastructure? Were they destroyed?
“
The article doesn’t say. But it is unlikely to be infrastructure as there isn’t any. Any buildings destroyed are just occupied temporarily. As to fighters or civilians, how can you even tell as they don’t wear uniforms? Sure, we see them dressed in black and occasionally in khaki but how can you tell them from the innocent bystanders; especially from a jet?
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