Food & Drink4 mins ago
War
// Britain is planning to join forces with America and launch military action against Syria within days in response to the gas attack believed to have been carried out by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces against his own people.
Royal Navy vessels are being readied to take part in a possible series of cruise missile strikes, alongside the United States, as military commanders finalise a list of potential targets.
Government sources said talks between the Prime Minister and international leaders, including Barack Obama, would continue, but that any military action that was agreed could begin within the next week.
As the preparations gathered pace, William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, warned that the world could not stand by and allow the Assad regime to use chemical weapons against the Syrian people “with impunity”.
Britain, the US and their allies must show Mr Assad that to perpetrate such an atrocity “is to cross a line and that the world will respond when that line is crossed”, he said.
British forces now look likely to be drawn into an intervention in the Syrian crisis after months of deliberation and international disagreement over how to respond to the bloody two-year civil war. //
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Yes or No?
Royal Navy vessels are being readied to take part in a possible series of cruise missile strikes, alongside the United States, as military commanders finalise a list of potential targets.
Government sources said talks between the Prime Minister and international leaders, including Barack Obama, would continue, but that any military action that was agreed could begin within the next week.
As the preparations gathered pace, William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, warned that the world could not stand by and allow the Assad regime to use chemical weapons against the Syrian people “with impunity”.
Britain, the US and their allies must show Mr Assad that to perpetrate such an atrocity “is to cross a line and that the world will respond when that line is crossed”, he said.
British forces now look likely to be drawn into an intervention in the Syrian crisis after months of deliberation and international disagreement over how to respond to the bloody two-year civil war. //
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Yes or No?
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jim360
/// If we can intervene without taking sides ///
That is the problem Jim, it would seem we have already taken sides.
/// The fact that there are atrocities going on at all is enough cause to jump into the middle and hold both sides apart. ///
Very noble words Jim, but we are not talking about a playground fight here, how do you suggest that we jump in between these two factions?
/// If we can intervene without taking sides ///
That is the problem Jim, it would seem we have already taken sides.
/// The fact that there are atrocities going on at all is enough cause to jump into the middle and hold both sides apart. ///
Very noble words Jim, but we are not talking about a playground fight here, how do you suggest that we jump in between these two factions?
-- answer removed --
Diplomacy has been tried and failed Steve.5.
Once Assad began using chemical weapons, it's only a matter of time before 'the big stick' is wielded.
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Once Assad began using chemical weapons, it's only a matter of time before 'the big stick' is wielded.
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Ann / ChillDoubt,
Turkey are already signed up for the forthcoming war.
// Turkey would join any international coalition against Syria even if a wider consensus on action cannot be reached at the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was quoted as saying on Monday.
We always prioritize acting together with the international community, with United Nations decisions. If such a decision doesn't emerge from the UN Security Council, other alternatives ... would come onto the agenda," Davutoglu told the Milliyet daily.
Currently 36-37 countries are discussing these alternatives. If a coalition is formed against Syria in this process, Turkey would take its place in this coalition." //
Unlikely to have any implications as the holiday destinations in Turkey are a long way away from the Syrian border.
Turkey are already signed up for the forthcoming war.
// Turkey would join any international coalition against Syria even if a wider consensus on action cannot be reached at the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was quoted as saying on Monday.
We always prioritize acting together with the international community, with United Nations decisions. If such a decision doesn't emerge from the UN Security Council, other alternatives ... would come onto the agenda," Davutoglu told the Milliyet daily.
Currently 36-37 countries are discussing these alternatives. If a coalition is formed against Syria in this process, Turkey would take its place in this coalition." //
Unlikely to have any implications as the holiday destinations in Turkey are a long way away from the Syrian border.
// Once Assad began using chemical weapons, it's only a matter of time before 'the big stick' is wielded. //
I cannot help be feel this has been contrived. We have waited two years and watched while this has played out. We have been supplying the rebels with arms, training them, giving them surveillance information.
But Assad is now winning and the rebels are near defeated. Why would Assad use chemical weapons now? If he'd had them he would have used them years ago.
All very reminiscent of Iraq and WMDs. Assad has said UN inspectors can go and inspect. UN inspections didn't help Saddam because the evidence was faked and the invasion went ahead anyway.
History repeating?
I cannot help be feel this has been contrived. We have waited two years and watched while this has played out. We have been supplying the rebels with arms, training them, giving them surveillance information.
But Assad is now winning and the rebels are near defeated. Why would Assad use chemical weapons now? If he'd had them he would have used them years ago.
All very reminiscent of Iraq and WMDs. Assad has said UN inspectors can go and inspect. UN inspections didn't help Saddam because the evidence was faked and the invasion went ahead anyway.
History repeating?
Jerusalem Post is portraying this as Cameron's initiative....
// British Prime Minister David Cameron has allegedly been pressuring US President Barack Obama to launch a prompt military strike on Syria in response to its supposed chemical weapons attack last Wednesday, The Times of London reported Monday. //
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// British Prime Minister David Cameron has allegedly been pressuring US President Barack Obama to launch a prompt military strike on Syria in response to its supposed chemical weapons attack last Wednesday, The Times of London reported Monday. //
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I doubt Assad used chemical weapons. He was winning the war. The rebels may have used it then blamed Assad as a last resort which will have worked if everyone else jumps in. I would say the west know this anyway, hopefully Russa, Iran and China don't jump in also.
I doubt anything will happen though.
I doubt anything will happen though.
I cannot help be feel this has been contrived. We have waited two years and watched while this has played out. We have been supplying the rebels with arms, training them, giving them surveillance information.
But Assad is now winning and the rebels are near defeated. Why would Assad use chemical weapons now? If he'd had them he would have used them years ago.
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Is Assad winning? This is a war of attrition that was been waged for 2 years, with no side apparently having the upper hand. Maybe he's losing and is getting desperate? Or maybe he is winning and wanted to stamp his authority by delivering the (possible) final, telling blow with an iron fist?
Furthermore, it's doubtful that the rebels have the delivery systems for chemical weapons. If this is contrived and they do, why has it taken THEM so long to use them?
But Assad is now winning and the rebels are near defeated. Why would Assad use chemical weapons now? If he'd had them he would have used them years ago.
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Is Assad winning? This is a war of attrition that was been waged for 2 years, with no side apparently having the upper hand. Maybe he's losing and is getting desperate? Or maybe he is winning and wanted to stamp his authority by delivering the (possible) final, telling blow with an iron fist?
Furthermore, it's doubtful that the rebels have the delivery systems for chemical weapons. If this is contrived and they do, why has it taken THEM so long to use them?
DJHawkes
Your grandson may be getting a bit of company....
// Cyprus has also drawn up plans to take in up to 200,000 refugees from the fighting. While the figures are a worst-case scenario, the number is equivalent to a quarter of the population of the Republic of Cyprus, a huge burden at a time of economic upheaval. //
Your grandson may be getting a bit of company....
// Cyprus has also drawn up plans to take in up to 200,000 refugees from the fighting. While the figures are a worst-case scenario, the number is equivalent to a quarter of the population of the Republic of Cyprus, a huge burden at a time of economic upheaval. //
// Is Assad winning? //
Yes. The rebels have lost Qsair and Homs and rebels have started to defect to the Government side. Kofi Annan has Assad's terms for ending the conflict (the rebels surrender) district by district.
// it's doubtful that the rebels have the delivery systems for chemical weapons. If this is contrived and they do, why has it taken THEM so long to use them? //
The Syrian rebels have been receiving arms from a variety of sources, including al qaeda. So it is not that contrived that they do have a delivery method. Or they might not need one. If they have the weapons and explode them from within their own territory, they do not need a delivery method.
Why now. Because they have now lost and the only way back is to drag us in. Worth sacrificing a few Jhadists for.
Yes. The rebels have lost Qsair and Homs and rebels have started to defect to the Government side. Kofi Annan has Assad's terms for ending the conflict (the rebels surrender) district by district.
// it's doubtful that the rebels have the delivery systems for chemical weapons. If this is contrived and they do, why has it taken THEM so long to use them? //
The Syrian rebels have been receiving arms from a variety of sources, including al qaeda. So it is not that contrived that they do have a delivery method. Or they might not need one. If they have the weapons and explode them from within their own territory, they do not need a delivery method.
Why now. Because they have now lost and the only way back is to drag us in. Worth sacrificing a few Jhadists for.
The idea that this is the work of the west (quite a charge) ignores the fact that we have dragged our feet on this and been easily put off by Russia and China.
The idea that it's the work of the rebels is more plausible but ignores the question of how on earth they could have acquired such a large supply of chemical weaponry without anyone knowing about it.
Meanwhile the regime has been dragging its feet over allowing in the inspectors and has been shelling the targeted area to destruction probably in an attempt to destroy conclusive evidence.
The apparent certainty about the culprits may well come from intelligence
The idea that it's the work of the rebels is more plausible but ignores the question of how on earth they could have acquired such a large supply of chemical weaponry without anyone knowing about it.
Meanwhile the regime has been dragging its feet over allowing in the inspectors and has been shelling the targeted area to destruction probably in an attempt to destroy conclusive evidence.
The apparent certainty about the culprits may well come from intelligence
Rebels lose Homs
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Rebels lose Tel Kalakh
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Rebels lose Qusair
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Rebels defect to Government side
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Rebels lose Tel Kalakh
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Rebels lose Qusair
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Rebels defect to Government side
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// Meanwhile the regime has been dragging its feet over allowing in the inspectors and has been shelling the targeted area to destruction probably in an attempt to destroy conclusive evidence. //
The alleged attack, on the outskirts of Damascus happened on Wednesday. The UN had an emergency meeting on Wednesday but did not request an inspection. Assad agreed to an inspection on Sunday, but it is unclear if the UN had actually requested one. Rather than dragging its feet, the Syrian Government have done the opposite, and granted the request immediately, or even pre-empted a request.
Assad is a butcher and a
The alleged attack, on the outskirts of Damascus happened on Wednesday. The UN had an emergency meeting on Wednesday but did not request an inspection. Assad agreed to an inspection on Sunday, but it is unclear if the UN had actually requested one. Rather than dragging its feet, the Syrian Government have done the opposite, and granted the request immediately, or even pre-empted a request.
Assad is a butcher and a
"/// If we can intervene without taking sides ///
That is the problem Jim, it would seem we have already taken sides.
/// The fact that there are atrocities going on at all is enough cause to jump into the middle and hold both sides apart. ///
Very noble words Jim, but we are not talking about a playground fight here, how do you suggest that we jump in between these two factions?
"
I can't really answer that, I don't do warfare except occasionally table-top/ video games. But at the very least, if there is any possibility of restoring and maintaining peace it should be explored.
That is the problem Jim, it would seem we have already taken sides.
/// The fact that there are atrocities going on at all is enough cause to jump into the middle and hold both sides apart. ///
Very noble words Jim, but we are not talking about a playground fight here, how do you suggest that we jump in between these two factions?
"
I can't really answer that, I don't do warfare except occasionally table-top/ video games. But at the very least, if there is any possibility of restoring and maintaining peace it should be explored.
