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U.S. Should Rethink Policy on Syria’s Assad
The Wall Street Journal ^ | October 14, 2015 | Paul deLespinasse

Posted on 10/13/2015 7:54:36 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

Numerous Journal editorials and other pieces, including William A. Galston’s “Obama’s Wishful-Thinking Syria Policy” (Politics & Ideas, Oct. 7), agree that the U.S. has been doing too little about Syria. Gen. David Petraeus recently told Congress the same thing. On the contrary, we have been doing too much.

Americans need to understand that moral standards appropriate at the personal (or “micro”) level cannot be applied uncritically at the “macro” level in which governments operate. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad presides over a civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands and driven crowds to flee. American policy is that Mr. Assad is an evil man and has to go. Russian and Iranian support for his regime is considered outrageous.

We need to reconsider. Mr. Assad’s forces face several rebel groups and Islamic State. Wholesale atrocities, committed by all sides, will end only when the civil war ends. If rebel forces destroy Mr. Assad, war will continue while the various groups fight to see who would rule. A victory by Mr. Assad’s loyalists would be the fastest way to end the war.

Whatever their reasons for supporting Mr. Assad, therefore, Russia and Iran are promoting more humane results than is the U.S., whose support for rebels prolongs the misery. Syria is just one of many places where American inaction is the best possible action.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; Syria
KEYWORDS: china; obama; russia; syria
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To: Psalm 144

“Looks like someone bought a new sock.”

lol,,, so true!


21 posted on 10/13/2015 9:42:01 PM PDT by DesertRhino ("I want those feeble minded asses overthrown,,,")
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To: gtx960

Why initiate a war involving all the global powers???

Not gonna be short or limited, if you think otherwise you are naive


22 posted on 10/13/2015 9:54:54 PM PDT by 100American (Knowledge is knowing how, Wisdom is knowing when)
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To: MinorityRepublican
To make the comment more clear, this is what was referred to.

"Whatever their reasons for supporting Mr. Assad, therefore, Russia and Iran are promoting more humane results than is the U.S., whose support for rebels prolongs the misery."

I question the loyalty and intellect of those who want the enemy to possess more stability and strength for their evil pursuits rather than weariness and weakness. Meanness and dishonesty currently prevail in politics. Meanness and dishonesty also appear to be elements of an abominable fad, where many desire to follow the most evil influences and dictators on the planet. May the planet, weather and economic situations continue to change accordingly.


23 posted on 10/13/2015 9:56:29 PM PDT by familyop (You're fired.)
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To: pierrem15

OK Patton, tell me how You will Crush Russia there and what is the result...

We then have to Govern that which we fought for and claim or what???

This sword waving is silly, Russia is not the adversary they used to be

Dangerous, yes, so are we...

Take over the world, no chance and no interest, look around and you will see they are not headed in that direction.

Just my opinion but Russia is not the enemy here at all. Putin is a believing Christian, factor that into your war plans and the Christians welcoming their help..

Here is Vlads bio, he had a life transforming event and returned to his faith...

http://hollowverse.com/vladimir-putin/

So lets reassess who is who and what the place will look like at the end, it ain’t ours ya know


24 posted on 10/13/2015 10:01:40 PM PDT by 100American (Knowledge is knowing how, Wisdom is knowing when)
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To: 100American
Sorry, but it's hard for me see how a murdering tyrant who wages aggressive war to seize his neighbor's territory (an offense for which we hanged Nazi's at Nuremberg) is a believing Christian.

The Russians aren't ten feet tall, and I have no doubt that the deployment of modest amount of our Navy and Air Force would clean them out of the eastern Med rather quickly.

Allowing the Russian-Iranian axis to move forward until the Iranians have the bomb is insanity.

25 posted on 10/13/2015 10:12:28 PM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens")
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To: MinorityRepublican; umgud; gtx960; pierrem15; RedHeeler
RAF jets cleared to FIRE on Russians – Tornado warplanes can launch missiles if threatened (12OCT15)
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/469414/RAF-Tornados-missile-Putin-Syria-UK-tensions-strikes-Islamic-State

SHOT OUT OF THE SKY– Turks down 'Russian plane violating their airspace' (10OCT15)
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/469341/Russia-Turkey-jet-plane-shot-down-airspace-Syria-ISIS-Islamic-State

It's a start, and from two relatively small countries.


26 posted on 10/13/2015 10:16:42 PM PDT by familyop (You're fired.)
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To: 100American

Hey, move to Russia. Love your country.


27 posted on 10/13/2015 10:16:44 PM PDT by RedHeeler
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To: pierrem15

So, waging a war of aggression is bad, (interesting). And deploying our forces to the med will make the Russians run away. Or did you mean for us to start shooting at Russians?


28 posted on 10/13/2015 10:19:02 PM PDT by DesertRhino ("I want those feeble minded asses overthrown,,,")
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To: familyop

Haven’t both of those been debunked? The UK denied one today, and the other hasn’t had a shred of proof turn up.


29 posted on 10/13/2015 10:21:53 PM PDT by DesertRhino ("I want those feeble minded asses overthrown,,,")
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To: RedHeeler

Hey Newbie, my family came over in 1643...

Look it Up DeWitt

Parmalee as well

Where was yours, and your childish retort about moving to Russia I will just ignore

We helped start this country


30 posted on 10/13/2015 10:25:06 PM PDT by 100American (Knowledge is knowing how, Wisdom is knowing when)
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To: pierrem15

OK, they are gone in your vision...

Now what?

Who is left, who runs what, who is the cop in the neighborhood?

What will the ME look like, You are King for a Day!!

Run with it Tiger...


31 posted on 10/13/2015 10:28:44 PM PDT by 100American (Knowledge is knowing how, Wisdom is knowing when)
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To: DesertRhino
The following came from a quick search. I don't see where the story was retracted.

RAF given green light to shoot down hostile Russian jets in Syria
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/raf-given-green-light-shoot-down-hostile-russian-jets-syria-1523488

RAF ready to shoot down Russian aircraft over Syria
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Defence/article1618135.ece


32 posted on 10/13/2015 10:39:39 PM PDT by familyop (You're fired.)
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To: 100American

I’m not interested in running anything, as long as the camel humpers can’t threaten us. Check my tag line.


33 posted on 10/13/2015 10:41:25 PM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens")
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To: 100American

Well, you didn’t ignore it. Look up my dog’s behind. If you love Putin, go home and give him a hug.


34 posted on 10/13/2015 10:42:01 PM PDT by RedHeeler
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To: DesertRhino
NATO is not asleep. Russia performs its dramatic role for the same old reason. It's useless as a demonstration. And NATO demurs, also for the same old reason.

RAF Typhoons intercept Russian Blackjack bombers
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3335779/posts

Russian planes intercepted near U.S., Canadian airspace
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3205916/posts

Russian Strategic Bombers Flying Along California Coast
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3152624/posts

US official: Russian bombers threaten commercial air safety
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3301938/posts

Britain - RAF scrambles to intercept Russian bombers
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1867655/posts

Air Force confirms Russian jets circled US territory of Guam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2989209/posts

Report: Russian Nuclear-Capable Bombers Intercepted Near West Coast for Second Time in 2 Weeks
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2903864/posts

Russian Bombers Penetrate N. American Buffer Zone, Intercepted by U.S., Canadian Jet Fighters
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1711955/posts

Russian bombers getting closer to US: American commander
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1881365/posts

PICTURES: RAF Typhoon intercepts Russian Tupolev Tu-95 bomber
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884909/posts

Russian bombers intercepted near US Navy vessel (Tupolev 95 flew 2000ft directly over USS Nimitz)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1968752/posts

Russia Violates U.S. Airspace--Russian nuclear bombers violated U.S. airspace
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2900758/posts

Russian bombers based in Cuba and Venezuela? Predicted in Collins Report last November
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2207478/posts

Bear Bombers Over Guam Russian nuclear bombers circle Guam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2988944/posts

Russian Nuclear Bombers Test U.S. Air Defenses in Arctic War Games During Chilly Obama-Putin Summit
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2899620/posts

Dutch scramble jets after Russian bombers approach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3147977/posts

Russian bomber again intercepted near U.S. Navy ship
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981064/posts

Russian flights set off new defense scramble
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1912293/posts


35 posted on 10/13/2015 11:00:49 PM PDT by familyop (You're fired.)
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To: RedHeeler

Putin was invited in By Assad who is still the leader of that country

Like him or not, there it is...

As to Israel they are glad for Vlad, search its there

So if Israel is good and Syria is getting cleaned up whats the issue that requires all the attack talk??

Who, for what??

How does that equate to moving to Russia


36 posted on 10/13/2015 11:05:50 PM PDT by 100American (Knowledge is knowing how, Wisdom is knowing when)
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To: Southack

The Russians have been in Syria for 60 years.


37 posted on 10/13/2015 11:08:40 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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To: 100American; RedHeeler
"As to Israel they are glad for Vlad, search its there"

That's irrelevant. Israel and Russia only made an agreement to avoid hostile engagements between the IDF and Russian forces. PM Netanyahu reiterated Israel's right to defense against Iranian elements (in Syria). One must read beyond headlines in order to understand. The fourth and subsequent paragraphs are of particular interest.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/200937


38 posted on 10/13/2015 11:33:44 PM PDT by familyop (You're fired.)
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To: 100American

Israel is always good. No matter what mongrel, sniffs around, they will know the fleas, in a pleasant manner. You even talkwrite, almostsky.


39 posted on 10/13/2015 11:36:52 PM PDT by RedHeeler
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To: DesertRhino
Syria has been a terrorist state since the 70s. Kruschev started pumping them full of weapons in the late 50s. Much more recently, when Imad Mugniyeh , the guy responsible for blowing more than 200 US Marines and 58 other nationals to Kingdom Come in barracks bombings in the 80s, for abducting, torturing and finally executing our CIA station chief Buckley and a fine Marine officer Higgens and leaving their mutilated bodies for us to find in roadside ditches,... for bombing a US Embassy in 1984 and killing more than 60 people, for the hijacking of a TWA airliner where the terrorists on board first tortured, then murdered, US Navy diver Robert Stetham in 1985... for providing al Qaeda with the expertise to blow a hole in the side of the USS Cole in 2000,... for bringing Hezbollah the mother of all terrorist groups to our hemisphere where they bombed a Jewish center in Argentina in the 90s and set up cells with the drug cartels in Mexico in the past decade along with establishing cells in the US, and who with his offspring spent the early part of this century up to his death killing American and coalition troops in Iraq alongside Mr. Sadr ... just recently bought the farm in a spectacular shower of car parts and smoking debris. He had not long before been chatting in his host country with the highest military and intelligence officials of his host country and Iran when his vehicle was blown to smithereens.

Now, I don't know what his meetings with these men was about, but since the ladies guild of the local church was not invited to attend I would strongly suggest it was NOT about helping Christians or picking flower arrangements. Maybe it was about an assassination in Lebanon such as the assassination of Lebanese politician Rafik Hariri. Maybe it was about killing more coalition troops in Iraq and hanging their corpses upside down on bridges- a reasonable assumption given that one of his pals was the head of Iran's al-Quds force. Of course one of the other guys he met with was General Suleiman who was also in charge of the host country's nuclear program, and if I'm not mistaken was also the General who was taking oil voucher bribes from the late Saddam Hussein. Obama hadn't been elected yet and the Arab Spring was still in the future, so we know it wasn't about Obama's middle east policy or the welfare of refugees.

Guess which country it was where Mugniyeh, armed and finnced by Iran, among others, had been considered such a venerable and valuable asset that he, a terrorist, would be strolling around drinking beers with Syrian and Iranian top brass and the folks in charge of a country' nuclear program? Guess which country he lived in, in a luxurious neighborhood also home to the elite of the ruling regime? The country in question is none other than Syria. Imad Mugniyeh was killed on February 12, 2008 in Damascus. One of his sons, also known for keeping company with Iranian brass, bought the farm with one of his Iranian pals just recently.

40 posted on 10/14/2015 12:14:28 AM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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