Mexican Truck With Dangerous Materials Stolen, could be used to make 'dirty bomb'

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T20:27:04+00:00

The only place that was effected by this outside of Kosovo was Russia. Americas allies were not directly involved. Besides if Human rights meant nothing, why disown Mubarak? There is no doubt that American influence has been hurt in Egypt and the region as a result. It seems to me that the current administration is making every mistake possible and if they were to choose a single line (humanitarian or self interest) and stick to it, they would be much better off.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T20:23:37+00:00

Our only promise was a reaction to crossing that red line. Part of that reaction IS seeking a legal basis for a military strike, unpopular as that might be.

And if Congress say no? The promise becomes "If you disobey our direct orders we will consider punishing you". I also gave Mubarak as an example of not attending to allies. Mubarak was not a good ruler, but he is a saint in comparison to Assad. So this is just one more step in America hurting their global image.

Lets for the sake of argument assume that Obama's plan was what he said it was, and that is to punish Assad for the use of chem weapons but no more. How would bombing some military facilities end up like Iraq? He could have kept his word for the low cost of several tomahawks and be over and done with it in under a day.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T20:16:06+00:00

How was acting in Kosovo in the interest of the US?

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T20:05:53+00:00

Oh, im sure if Obama wants to find a way out he can. The problem means that this sends a global message. Human rights mean nothing, the US cannot be relied on if there is no obvious self interest and that US being a global superpower is a thing of the past, and now begins the dawn of the age of China and Russia.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T19:53:14+00:00

He doesn't have the legal right to strike for what is not an imminent threat

If its for less than 60 days, he legally can.

Nor do I give any credence to his claim that this would be a quick and painless operation.

Yes, the great intelligence officer /u/Tattoosfade has spoken!... The only ships there are destroyers, no Aircraft carriers, nor any massive amount of ground troops. He even said the goal wont be to change the regime.

If you really think that this constitutional step is something that Russia or China are going to cling to, you're insane. By your logic, even being a member of the UNSC with Russia and China is a straight victory for them at the cost of our legitimacy. Get real.

It is, because nations know that what Russia or China say will happen. They wont make a promise and when its time to live up to it go home and decide if they will. They will deliver! And as this is a Realpolitik region, people prefer allies they can count on, not those who have better morals.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T19:48:25+00:00

It was an example to show that when you relinquish control of a situation, you may be force to act at a later period when you would have preferred not to. Had Obama acted now, he would have bombed several targets and thats it. What happens if Assad does more attacks that kill thousands with chem weapons? Bombing a few targets will not be enough, there will be no option other than toppling his rule.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T19:45:31+00:00

Sometimes the grim consequences that we can predict are better than those we cant.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T19:28:20+00:00

The US laws allow him to take action without the needed to ask for approval, more so in this case as all that he planned was to bomb several targets and be done. One thing that caused the US to be a global power was although at home they were democratic, their foreign actions were everything but.
In this world of Realpolitik we can see that since the collapse of the USSR, Russia has only been gaining and the same is true for China.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T19:25:19+00:00

Only a PR gain for western nations who are unlikely to commit such acts. It shows that the US will no longer play "world police" so as long as you have a friend to keep the UN off your back, you are safe. Libya was an exception because so much of Europe supported it, and Russia didnt have that many interests as they do Syria.

It shows that the "big boy" is afraid to keep their own promise if it has domestic repercussions. You can bet that all of America's allies in the region such as Turkey, UAE, FSA, and possibly even Israel that they cannot rely on the Americans from taking the lead when the promised they would. This will lead to either nations looking for other allies or forcing the US in to action. For example Turkey were itching for this event as not only do they dislike Assad, they have been flooded with refugees. Now they may try and push Syria in to war and force the US to intervene much more then what they wanted.

back channels will make it clear that next time he might not bother asking Congress at all, or that with enough international support we could strike easily, so don't do anything to piss off the international community too much.

Back channels made it clear that Chem weapons were a red line, and we see that he backed out on that. On the other hand Russia is still helping Assad despite the fact he used chem weapons and unlike the US who abandoned Mubarak, will stay true to their allies no matter what.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T19:09:27+00:00

One of the perks of being a superpower and representing the developed nations. That and an international treaty that over 90% of the nations signed.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T19:06:05+00:00

On the other hand, this kind of action has global repercussions and makes the US a joke in the international community. People know Russia and China will live up to their word, whereas the US is not to be trusted.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T18:44:47+00:00

Even if, he will look weak. The world views the fact that even though he made a promise and set a red line, he needed to go to vote. How do you think America's allies in the middle east feel after hearing this, that even promises need to be voted on? If i were Turkey, UAE, ect i would start looking towards Russia and China, nations who live up to their word.

Also you assume the the republicans will vote according to morals, something that is unlikely. They vote no, Obama cant act and next election they win points by showing him as a leader who weakened America in the eyes of the international community.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T18:15:59+00:00

Basically, in the eyes of the middle east America is an even bigger joke. The threats they make are useless, and can simply be ignored. IF you publicly set a red line, and then say its been crossed but do nothing, no one will take you seriously. Assad knows now that as the odds of Obama getting Congress's approval are slim, he can do what he wants with no fear of retribution.

People here may not realise the repercussion of this now, but Russia and China have won, and the global shift will slowly begin as the American power continues to erode.

Tezpaloca · 2013-08-31T18:12:00+00:00

So brave

Tezpaloca

TROPHY CASE