Comments on: The Loss of Tactical Surprise in Syria

By: William Mougayar

William Mougayar — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 00:25:00 +0000

In reply to JLM. I thought Kerry's speech yesterday was pretty good, forceful and principled.

By: JLM

JLM — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 23:21:00 +0000

In reply to Fernando Gutierrez.

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I think you are absolutely right.

BRC
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By: JLM

JLM — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 23:16:00 +0000

In reply to William Mougayar.

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The Russians are not playing to tie in Syria. If they lose their relationship with Syria, they lose their international credibility. Putin despises Obama and is not going to allow that to happen. Putin is willing to take a greater risk than Obama. You could not have two international leaders with more different styles.

A national security risk is different than a strategic opportunity.

The fact that what lay behind the President’s “red line” was procrastination, indecision, a speech and now a huge delay — has emboldened Iran. Can you imagine this bunch ever striking Iran? Not in a million years.

America is weary of war. Leery of stupid wars. Does not trust Obama. America is broke and cannot afford to unleash a billion dollars worth of punishment.

Bottom line — the Congress, like Parliament, is going to punt. Obama is going to have to eat shit.

BRC
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By: pointsnfigures

pointsnfigures — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 22:52:00 +0000

I am for containing Syria, and letting the whole thing turn into a Thunderdome cage match. Then coming in a bombing the winner, who most certainly won’t be our friend.

By: William Mougayar

William Mougayar — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 02:05:00 +0000

“what is the American national strategic interest in Syria?”

I have an unfair advantage in answering this question 🙂
The US has an opportunity to turn Syria into a non-belligerent state and usher a long lasting peace in the middle-east. They are the last Russian bastion but also a client state of Iran, so you’d weaken 2 masters in one shot + open the prospects of a comprehensive peace process. I’m surprised it took that long to figure this out.

By: Fernando Gutierrez

Fernando Gutierrez — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:55:00 +0000

I think that American military power is so huge that some guys at the top believe that they don’t need surprise any more.

By: JLM

JLM — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 17:07:00 +0000

In reply to jim mchugh.

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The Team Barack cannot see further than “Titleist” on a golf ball. Good luck with that one.

Stay tuned. It is going to happen very fast.

BRC
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By: jim mchugh

jim mchugh — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:53:00 +0000

2 key sentences you said: “The Russians are not going to allow their last client state in the region to take a pummeling without some action on their part. The Russians are not going to sit on their hands.” I hope Barack and his ‘team’ can see that far…