Meanwhile, In Syria

[Mermaid]

Perfect candidate for a good civil war.

Not everyone is in favour of Assad, but not everyone is against him e.g. Damascus, Allepo.

[MX7]

james_tigerwoods said:

Where does Syria go from here?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-166987...

Is it all rhetoric and handbags or is it more serious than that?

"Gulf Arab states have announced that they are withdrawing from the Arab League's observer mission in Syria.

The Gulf Co-operation Council also called on the UN Security Council to put new pressure on Damascus to end a violent crackdown against protests."

So the Arab League come knocking on the door of the UN again?!! What do they expect us to do? If the Arab League can't put enough pressure on Assad, how can anyone else?

Arab League, MTFU.

[james_tigerwoods]

MX7 said:

james_tigerwoods said:

Where does Syria go from here?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-166987...

Is it all rhetoric and handbags or is it more serious than that?

"Gulf Arab states have announced that they are withdrawing from the Arab League's observer mission in Syria.

The Gulf Co-operation Council also called on the UN Security Council to put new pressure on Damascus to end a violent crackdown against protests."

So the Arab League come knocking on the door of the UN again?!! What do they expect us to do? If the Arab League can't put enough pressure on Assad, how can anyone else?

Arab League, MTFU.

I wonder if this is so The Arab League can step back, let The UN take a kicking and then step in to "save the region"...

[MX7]

james_tigerwoods said:

I wonder if this is so The Arab League can step back, let The UN take a kicking and then step in to "save the region"...

Or do what they did in Libya, which was to wag a finger at Gaddafi, then come running to the UN to moan about the bully next door, then whinge at the UN when a few punches hit the wrong target, all along promising that they will help, but in reality standing the other side of the river shouting "Hit him!".

[Mermaid]

China, Russia veto UN resolution.

So how long before the US wades into Syria, together wit a coalition of the willing i.e the UK.

[jbi]

Mermaid said:

China, Russia veto UN resolution.

So how long before the US wades into Syria, together wit a coalition of the willing i.e the UK.

Surgical airstrikes at best... but i doubt it

[MX7]

Mermaid said:

China, Russia veto UN resolution.

So how long before the US wades into Syria, together wit a coalition of the willing i.e the UK.

What can they do? It's nothing like Lybia.

Is that what you want us to do?

[Blib]

I can't see why China and Russia have gone against the Arab League. OK, they are always out to frustrate Western plans. But, it seems as if the whole Arab World is behind this Resolution.

Yes, Syria is Russia's last ally in the region. However, Assad looks doomed and the Arabs won't forget this in a hurry.

[Mermaid]

Has potential to get quite silly. Is the West doing the bidding for the Saudi's (Sunni Muslims) in their quest to stamp down on Iran (Shia Muslims) & its ally Syria.

And how long before the "West" find the autocratic Saudi regime unacceptable?

[MX7]

Mermaid said:

Has potential to get quite silly. Is the West doing the bidding for the Saudi's (Sunni Muslims) in their quest to stamp down on Iran (Shia Muslims) & its ally Syria.

Syria is Sunni.

Mermaid said:

And how long before the "West" find the autocratic Saudi regime unacceptable?

I don't know. Why don't you actually say what you think will happen instead of these stupid "How long until..." comments?

[Mermaid]

MX7 said:

Mermaid said:

Has potential to get quite silly. Is the West doing the bidding for the Saudi's (Sunni Muslims) in their quest to stamp down on Iran (Shia Muslims) & its ally Syria.

Syria is Sunni.

Mermaid said:

And how long before the "West" find the autocratic Saudi regime unacceptable?

I don't know. Why don't you actually say what you think will happen instead of these stupid "How long until..." comments?

I did not suggest Syria is Shia. Syria has a Sunni majority, but controlled by Alawites.

I have no idea, but canvassing opinions - if you find any of the comments stupid, why not ignore them

What do you think anyway? You seem well informed on middle east affairs.

[Asterix]

james_tigerwoods said:

MX7 said:

james_tigerwoods said:

Where does Syria go from here?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-166987...

Is it all rhetoric and handbags or is it more serious than that?

"Gulf Arab states have announced that they are withdrawing from the Arab League's observer mission in Syria.

The Gulf Co-operation Council also called on the UN Security Council to put new pressure on Damascus to end a violent crackdown against protests."

So the Arab League come knocking on the door of the UN again?!! What do they expect us to do? If the Arab League can't put enough pressure on Assad, how can anyone else?

Arab League, MTFU.

I wonder if this is so The Arab League can step back, let The UN take a kicking and then step in to "save the region"...

Not meaning to teach anyone to suck eggs, so I apologies in advance. The Gulf Coop Council (GCC) and the Arab League are two very different organisations.

The GCC is basically a club of the wealthy Arab states that hold the natural resources - geographically they are close, on the shores of the Gulf and also include Oman. The Arab League include them, the Levantine and North African Arab countries.

The GCC is relatively well organised as they have many shared interests but the Arab League is fractious to say the least. For them to organise something coordinated enough militarily is something I can't envisage. An Arab friend once told me that it would be the equivalent of having an Arab football side needing 11 footballs as they would never pass to each other and all would try to score a 30 yards screamer - for the glory, not the win.

Who would head up any coalition? I guess it would be the Saudis from an influence point of view but they, and many of the leading states, do not like to take responsibility. They always need to be able to pass the buck and direct action 'in charge' will not sit well with them. From a capability point of view, there's no reason why the richer states can't compete equipment wise, but they still rely heavily on Western application.

Going to be very interesting to see what happpens. I don't think the West should get involved at all other than politically but I can't see the locals stepping up either.

[MX7]

Mermaid said:

I did not suggest Syria is Shia. Syria has a Sunni majority, but controlled by Alawites.

I have no idea, but canvassing opinions - if you find any of the comments stupid, why not ignore them

What do you think anyway? You seem well informed on middle east affairs.

You make some very odd presumptions.

"So how long before the US wades into Syria"

Not if, but when, and then you imply that it's simply a Sunni vs. Shia conflict. It's not like that, and I think it's very odd to believe that we condemn Syria, who have killed around 5,000, in an attempt to undermine Iran. We criticise Syria because they deserve it.

I've got no idea what will happen. Russia and China will do what they always do, which is to be removed and awkward, while the Arab League will drink tea and eat falafel. I guess the quickest conclusion would be if someone got Assad. We'll have to see.

[Mermaid]

MX7 said:

You make some very odd presumptions.

"So how long before the US wades into Syria"

Not if, but when, and then you imply that it's simply a Sunni vs. Shia conflict. It's not like that, and I think it's very odd to believe that we condemn Syria, who have killed around 5,000, in an attempt to undermine Iran. We criticise Syria because they deserve it.

I've got no idea what will happen. Russia and China will do what they always do, which is to be removed and awkward, while the Arab League will drink tea and eat falafel. I guess the quickest conclusion would be if someone got Assad. We'll have to see.

Different to you , my dear man, different.

The US has got a finger in every pie, especially the ones that's don't like the US. If there is military intervention of some sort i.e no fly zone, the Yanks will be in the thick of overthrowing the axis of evil.

Sunni Shia conflict is between the Saudi's & Iran & that is the big picture we need to focus on than the civil strife in Syria.

In addition to China & Russia, France also did what it wanted to in regards to Iraq.

Arab League - I'd trust their judgement as far as I can throw an elephant - so we are agreed on something after all the debates.

"Get Assad" - same said about Gaddafi, Saddam . That's democratic. And same will be said about Saudi king before too long.

A world without Muslim tyrants ( all past friends), and then who do go for next? Yes another question?


We will have to see, as you say. And we have all the time in this wonderful world.

[chim]

Sick of all this st, lots of liberal hearts pouring out and condemning the Russians and Chinese for the Veto. Personally I agree with them, its all one sided and condemns Assad. Seems to me both sides are flinging bricks though and it has bugger all to do with us anyway. Let them get on with it and stop fking interfering with the "save the babies" line.

[MX7]

chim said:

Sick of all this st, lots of liberal hearts pouring out and condemning the Russians and Chinese for the Veto. Personally I agree with them, its all one sided and condemns Assad. Seems to me both sides are flinging bricks though and it has bugger all to do with us anyway. Let them get on with it and stop fking interfering with the "save the babies" line.

Do you understand the function of the UN?

[james_tigerwoods]

So, here's a stupid question: Why is it the no one is helping their Palestinian "brothers in faith"?

[Mermaid]

james_tigerwoods said:

So, here's a stupid question: Why is it the no one is helping their Palestinian "brothers in faith"?

A good question, and I doubt you will get a good answer to it.

[MX7]

james_tigerwoods said:

So, here's a stupid question: Why is it the no one is helping their Palestinian "brothers in faith"?

Do you understand the scale of death in Syria? Are you famaliar with the Hama massacre in '82? They are on completly different levels, and we have been requested by Morroco to intervein.

Finding a slightly hypocritical angle to view a situation might be amusing, but it often doesn't stand up to examination.

[james_tigerwoods]

MX7 said:

james_tigerwoods said:

So, here's a stupid question: Why is it the no one is helping their Palestinian "brothers in faith"?

Do you understand the scale of death in Syria? Are you famaliar with the Hama massacre in '82? They are on completly different levels, and we have been requested by Morroco to intervein.

Finding a slightly hypocritical angle to view a situation might be amusing, but it often doesn't stand up to examination.

I'm not looking for a confrontation here or have a hypocritical stance so I take exception to your post there.

My question was one of parallels - the Arab League are in Syria to try to sort things out, with the UN also talking about it. What I am merely trying to understand is that given the level and length of conflict in Israel and Palestine, why has there been no outside international mediation in the same way that there is in Syria.

It was a question that came to mind - not one I'm looking to pick a fight with.