Unfortunately I agree with Putin's op-ed. America isn't exceptional. Not anymore. It once was, but the current administration has seen fit to take care of that exceptionalism.

9/12/2013 10:12:54 AM

Quote :

"It once was, but the current administration has seen fit to take care of that exceptionalism."

please elaborate

9/12/2013 10:14:45 AM

Quote :

"but the current administration has seen fit to take care of that exceptionalism."

our shining light on the hill was extinguished long before this administration

9/12/2013 10:14:56 AM

^agreed. He hasn't helped, but he wasn't the one to start it.

9/12/2013 10:26:05 AM

From the last page:

Regarding effectiveness of the proposed plan

Quote :

"It would require knowing how many weapons there are and knowing where they are located to be able to confirm that they are all secured, and I don't think that is realistic. I think weapons inspectors will gather the weapons that Syria admits too (after prolonged bullshitting) and then the international community will disagree if all of the weapons are secured, particularly at the urging of the US and Israel that not all weapons are secure. This will lead to military action that will be much larger than limited strikes and will involve boots on the ground. (and if the reports that Assad did not order the attacks are true, then I don't know if Syria would even be able to admit to the weapons) "

9/12/2013 10:30:54 AM

Quote :

"Unfortunately I agree with Putin's op-ed. America isn't exceptional. Not anymore. It once was, but the current administration has seen fit to take care of that exceptionalism."

come on man, you really think that everything changed in 2008?

9/12/2013 10:42:18 AM

Why doesn't someone propose a third party oversee the dismantling of the weapons? How bout the Swiss?

9/12/2013 10:48:58 AM

The point about it requiring to know how many weapons and where they are still stands

[Edited on September 12, 2013 at 10:50 AM. Reason : because ^ is exactly what has been proposed, a third party]

9/12/2013 10:49:38 AM

Quote :

"You realize the Nobel Peace Prize originates from Norway...right?"

Fify

9/12/2013 12:33:35 PM

Quote :

"Why doesn't someone propose a third party oversee the dismantling of the weapons? How bout the Swiss?"

This requires a lot of honesty and trust between parties that doesn't exist today. It's like nuclear disarmament. We generally agree that it sounds great, but no one can trust another government when they say, "Okay, we destroyed all of them!", and no one really should.

Putin makes some important points in his op-ed. There simply isn't good evidence to the public that Syria is responsible, despite the media almost constantly saying that there is. None of this evidence is ironclad, and based on what some members of Congress with access to the classified information are saying, that intelligence isn't much better.

9/12/2013 3:56:02 PM

In all honesty, whoever smelt it most likely dealt it.

9/12/2013 4:25:45 PM

America isn't exceptional, but his weakness in the op-ed is saying we are all equal. It is a weakness because right now his government is persecuting the LGBT community.

9/12/2013 4:51:39 PM

Come on, the U.S. canned DADT only two years ago, it's not exactly the frontrunner on civil rights.

9/12/2013 4:57:32 PM

Quote :

"America isn't exceptional, but his weakness in the op-ed is saying we are all equal. It is a weakness because right now his government is persecuting the LGBT community."

And we're running a slave labor trade fueled by non-violent drug incarcerations.

9/12/2013 5:11:31 PM

Quote :

"In all honesty, whoever smelt it most likely dealt it."

Indeed.

9/12/2013 8:33:26 PM

i love that conspiracy has become mainstream

9/12/2013 9:33:58 PM

^ To quote Kevin Spacey from The Usual Suspects:

Quote :

"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that, poof. He's gone."

9/12/2013 10:59:25 PM

So Syria is complying, that's great.

Here are ten facts about the chemical weapons convention you probably don't know.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-24082601

9/13/2013 3:35:40 PM

9/13/2013 8:00:00 PM

So Russia has actually agreed to a UN resolution on Syria with Chapter VII enforcement, which less than 2 weeks ago was in "when hell freezes over" territory. Without a single shot fired, the Obama administration get's more than it could have possibly hoped for. But go ahead and keep believing that he's a bumbling idiot warmonger who just got lucky.

9/14/2013 6:59:50 PM

Are you fucking high?? Obama was in the minority in trying to convince everyone that we should drop bombs. He didn't even attempt a non-violent solution. It was only when the Russians formulated a plan that he begrudgingly accepted.

Yes, he's a warmonger.

[Edited on September 14, 2013 at 8:17 PM. Reason : .]

9/14/2013 8:15:55 PM

I swear, Obama could be sitting on a toilet, straining really had, with massive amounts of flatulence emanating from his ass cheeks, and then reach down into the toilet and pull out a huge pile of warm, stinking feces. He could then tell the world that he actually had a pop tart in his hand, and Shrike would immediately run and get a toaster.

9/15/2013 12:02:54 AM

If there is the lease bit of truth to this article, then it should be all the proof we need that we just need to get out of the Middle East and never look back. Iraq and its government potentially assisting Syria in hiding their weapons?

http://www.jpost.com/Syria-Crisis/Report-Syria-transported-chemical-weapons-to-Iraq-326141

9/15/2013 8:29:22 AM

they're probably just shipping back the weapons Iraq sent over about 10 years ago.

9/15/2013 11:40:29 AM

I am just glad that we are not going to Syria and don't give a shit about the pundits.

9/15/2013 11:54:26 AM

Quote :

"LEASE BIT OF"

9/15/2013 2:42:38 PM

Aaronburro stared at the screen, eyes squinted, brow furrowed.

"I can't stand people who unconditionally approve of everything Obama does."

The clickety-clack of pounded keys filled the empty room.

"Everything Obama does is a disaster. Literally. Every. Single. Thing."

The whistle of a train echoed in the distance, its few remaining passengers eager to depart for elsewhere. Anywhere.

"Anyone and everyone one who agrees with him is an idiot."

9/15/2013 8:06:20 PM

god damn, A Tanzarian wins

9/15/2013 8:09:06 PM

Hopefully this puts the false flag/rebels did it/conspiracy theories to bed.

http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=7083

Quote :

"The Mission has concluded that chemical weapons were used on a relatively large scale in the Ghouta area of Damascus in the context of the ongoing conflict in Syria. The attack resulted in numerous casualties, particularly among civilians."

Quote :

"On the basis of its analysis, the Mission concluded that it – and I quote – “collected clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used in the Ein Tarma, Moadamiyah and Zalmalka in the Ghouta area of Damascus.”"

9/16/2013 12:53:02 PM

^
How did you come to that conclusion? The rebels have missiles too. Your bias is glaring.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/15/us-syria-crisis-arms-idUSBRE97E0QH20130815

Quote :

"Rebels in southern Syria have fired newly acquired anti-tank guided missiles supplied by Saudi Arabia in a significant boost to their battle against President Bashar al-Assad, rebel, intelligence and diplomatic sources say."

http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-syrian-rebels-sarin-gas-20130913,0,4224285.story

Quote :

"- Prosecutors in southern Turkey have alleged that Syrian rebel groups were seeking to buy materials that could be used to produce highly toxic sarin gas, Turkish media reported Friday."

[Edited on September 16, 2013 at 1:24 PM. Reason : .]

9/16/2013 1:24:27 PM

The rebels don't have the missiles used in these attacks. Or the means to deploy them. Or the chemicals used in them. There is only one actor in that region capable of conducting an attack of that size, scope, and sophistication. The pile of evidence pointing to the Syrian regime is literally a mountain high next to a scant amount of hearsay and speculation implicating the rebels. Treating this like a criminal trial, we've already established means, motive, and opportunity for the Syrian army. The rebels, at best, have motive.

In other words, the only one here with glaring bias is you, and anyone else who is sticking to their guns that the rebels did it. If you believe that, then you may as well believe space aliens did it. Or Jesus.

9/16/2013 1:54:01 PM

Quote :

"The rebels don't have the missiles used in these attacks. Or the means to deploy them. Or the chemicals used in them."

??? I just posted links that show they have all of this (the sarin is not yet confirmed, but Turkey has indicted them for it).

Quote :

"In other words, the only one here with glaring bias is you, and anyone else who is sticking to their guns that the rebels did it."

When did I say the rebels did it? I'm leaving the option open. You're closing it without substantial proof.

9/16/2013 1:58:56 PM

You do realize than anti-tank guided missile is completely different from a delivery system for sarin gas? I'm sure there are some dual use systems out there with interchangeable warheads, but that wasn't the case. We literally have pictures of the shells used in the attacks. They are not anti-tank missiles.



[Edited on September 16, 2013 at 2:07 PM. Reason : :]

9/16/2013 2:04:35 PM

I haven't seen any pictures, and I haven't seen any clarification other than that they are "surface-to-surface" missiles. I would love more proof. thank you

If they have anti-tank and anti-air missiles, it's not a stretch to say that they might have missiles capable of sarin delivery. Especially since they are currently indicted on charges of purchasing chemicals to produce sarin.

[Edited on September 16, 2013 at 2:11 PM. Reason : .]

9/16/2013 2:09:54 PM

This will just accelerate Syria going down the shitter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24239779

Quote :

"Islamists reject Syria coalition Eleven Islamist rebel groups in Syria have announced they do not recognise the authority of the main opposition alliance, the National Coalition."

9/25/2013 8:30:18 AM

The Syrian Civil war and weapons inspection has kinda faded into the background recently:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/09/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

10/9/2013 11:14:50 AM

Inside Syrian town living under al Qaeda reign of fear

Quote :

"Raqqa was, a matter of months ago, one of Syria's most liberal cities. Now locals call it Tora Bora. They say it's as if the Taliban of Afghanistan have taken over."

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/05/world/meast/syria-al-qaeda-town-walsh/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

11/5/2013 2:27:00 PM

Graphic designers, the Army of Islam wants you

Quote :

"The Army of Islam, an umbrella group that also opposes al-Qaeda's Nusra Front in Syria, posted the advert on its Facebook page. "The media arm of the Army of Islam announces vacancies in the following fields: graphic design, photography, montage, printing, journalism, reporting, media promotion and programming, as well as other media specialisations," it says, listing Skype and email addresses for applicants to send their CVs, along with a phone number. "

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-24835048

11/7/2013 10:06:21 AM

So Syria missed the deadline, and the disagreements about what that means have started. Get ready for more involvement in Syria.

1/2/2014 12:32:12 PM

Al Qaeda group fights back against Syria rebel assault

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/10/us-syria-crisis-idUSBREA090MF20140110

Quote :

"Al Qaeda-linked jihadists struck back against rival rebels in eastern and northern Syria on Friday after a week of internecine fighting among opponents of President Bashar al-Assad in which 500 people have been killed, a monitoring group said."

1/10/2014 12:21:45 PM

Some 55,000 pics were smuggled out of Syria...

WARNING, GRAPHIC IMAGES

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2544711/Starved-tortured-throttled-The-true-horror-Assads-soldiers-execute-rebel-prisoners-revealed-new-images-released-today.html

1/25/2014 12:24:54 PM

Terrible

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/CP/2014/01/24/Yarmouk-camp-resident-can-t-remember-last-time-he-ate

(Video)

1/25/2014 6:38:12 PM

^ from the same besieged camp, where the population has been cut off from food supplies for a while now:



Don't know how true it is, but that's what it says.

Also says on average 7 people are dying daily from starvation.

[Edited on January 26, 2014 at 4:23 PM. Reason : ]

1/26/2014 4:22:26 PM

Quote :

"When even al Qaeda publicly rejects you because you are too brutal, it's likely a reasonable indicator that you are. A long simmering dispute between "al Qaeda Central," headed by Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the most brutal al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, generally known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, surfaced publicly on Monday. On jihadist websites, al Qaeda's central leadership posted a notice saying ISIS "is not a branch of the al Qaeda group." It is the first time in its quarter century history that al Qaeda has officially rejected one of its affiliates."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/04/opinion/bergen-al-qaeda-brutality-syria4

2/5/2014 12:18:39 PM

Pro-Assad forces kill 175 rebels in ambush: Syrian state media

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/26/us-syria-crisis-ambush-idUSBREA1P0TP20140226

Quote :

"Forces loyal to Syria's president killed at least 175 Islamist rebel fighters, most of them foreigners, in an ambush in insurgent-held eastern outskirts of Damascus, state media said on Wednesday. The attack was led by the Lebanese Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah, which has joined the government in a increasingly sectarian conflict that is pulling in fighters from across the region and destabilizing Syria's neighbors, said activists."

[Edited on February 26, 2014 at 3:49 PM. Reason : ]

2/26/2014 3:43:44 PM

Still going.
This had fallen to the 3rd page!

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/28/world/meast/american-suicide-bomber-syria/

5/29/2014 10:52:43 AM

^ and on the flip side:

Bashar Assad fanclub: U.S. senator sends Syrian president a letter of praise
http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/richard-black-virginia-579873

5/30/2014 5:12:14 AM

Quote :

"“Whatever a person’s view is of President Assad, he certainly has never exhibited the savagery of these jihadist groups fighting against him.”"

6/3/2014 12:53:26 AM

Is this good or bad?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/09/us-syria-crisis-aleppo-idUSKBN0FE1T920140709

7/9/2014 12:10:18 PM

http://www.wral.com/in-iraq-syria-militants-try-to-govern-as-a-state/13821684/

Quote :

"Unlike Lebanon's Hezbollah or the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which have deep roots in their communities, the Islamic State group is not a grassroots movement and its sway over its populations is ultimately based on violence, not necessarily a groundswell of support for its vision of a hard-line Islamic caliphate. While it has been welcomed by some disenfranchised Iraqi Sunnis as potential saviors from the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad, many consider the group an alien entity. In recognition of that, the group has varied the imposition of the radical version of Islamic law they advocate. In their main stronghold in Syria, the city of Raqqa, they have unleashed it without reserve, killing perceived offenders and cutting off the hands of thieves in public. But in Iraq's second largest city, Mosul, they have been more cautious. They've taken some steps like banning alcohol and painting over street advertisements that show women's faces — but have held off on strict punishments for now."

7/18/2014 11:34:26 AM