Latest Washington Post article http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...055736-1e3a-11e3-8459-657e0c72fec8_story.html The Syrian government has stepped up attacks since the chemical weapons agreement bombing places that haven't seen action in months. Every report says the Russian foreign minister states categorically that if Syria doesn't follow through and give up its chemical weapons the will be NO RESULT to force to make them. The WSJ reports the Iranians are going into Syria to support Assad. Putin's goal of keeping Assad in power has been the point and the result of this "Munich". Well done Pres Obama.
Assad's power is slipping badly and now his only ally is backing a plan for him to lose his chemical weapons, due to Obama's saber-ratlling. Now we can get a removal of Assads WMD's (that primarily threaten Israel) without costly military action and the Syrians can get on with their civil war. Meanwhile we are arming what passes for moderates among the rebels and giving them intelligence. Even Russia knows that Assad's days are numbered and they hope this move will give them some influence with the eventual victors. Meanwhile, it's game-set-match for Obama who is playing Putin like a violin.
Where are you getting this information from Red? I have cited multiple sources that counter your assertions. Why don't you share your information rather than make unfounded statements?
My assessments are my own. I don't simply ape some opinion I read. If you challenge some facts I have mentioned, then tell me which ones. That Syrian WMD's threaten Israel? That we are arming the rebels? Happy to oblige. Surely, you realize that "playing Putin like a violin" is a colorful metaphor.
These chemical weapons missiles have been a threat to Israel for over 20 years! Why do you think Israel issues gas masks and MOPP suits to its civilians?
Well, the UN inspectors have made their report: "In particular, the environmental, chemical and medical samples we have collected provide clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used in Ein Tarma, Moadamiyah and Amalaka in the Ghouta area of Damascus," a 38-page report says. Chemical weapons "were used on a relatively large scale," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a briefing to the U.N. Security Council. It's "the most significant confirmed use of chemical weapons against civilians since Saddam Hussein used them in Halabja in 1988," Ban said. "This is a war crime and a grave violation of the1925 Protocol and other rules of customary international law. I trust all can join me in condemning this despicable crime. The international community has a responsibility to hold the perpetrators accountable and to ensure that chemical weapons never re-emerge as an instrument of warfare." How stupid does Vladimir look now, insisting that the rebels were the ones that uses chemical weapons. The rebels have zero capability to launch ballistic missiles.
