Assad loads sarin gas weapons onto planes

[Kulindahr]

This is incredible -- the dictator of Syria has actually ordered chemical weapons, specifically sarin gas, loaded onto aircraft for use!

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The world is scrambling to do something -- but what can be done? If he decides to actually give the attack order, how should the U.S. and NATO respond? Meanwhile, how can he be persuaded to stop?

[bankside]

Nato has already signalled its interest in events there through the deployment of patriot missiles at the turkish frontier. It will have shown restraint in going any further due to Russia's interests. It will have also told Russia to expect aerial intervention in the event of chemical weapons use by the hereditary dictator of syria.

[JayHawk]

I personally think victory goes to he who dares. So if he has taken the steps to Mix chemical weapons, load it into air burst bombs, and has now loaded it onto planes; then we have the responsibility to wipe those planes off planet earth.... three drones could do the trick or a stick of F-18s off the nearest carrier...

If we have this much knowledge of his actions then we would be just as guilty if anyone dies of chemical weapons attacks.

[Kulindahr]

I personally think victory goes to he who dares. So if he has taken the steps to Mix chemical weapons, load it into air burst bombs, and has now loaded it onto planes; then we have the responsibility to wipe those planes off planet earth.... three drones could do the trick or a stick of F-18s off the nearest carrier...

If we have this much knowledge of his actions then we would be just as guilty if anyone dies of chemical weapons attacks.

I hesitate to go with that, but I also know that if he launches and we could have prevented it I'd wish I had.

But I'd rather see us get Turkey to do it -- they could claim they believed some of the gas could have drifted into their territory, so they struck first.

[JayHawk]

I am much more concerned with effectiveness than political correctness. The additional advantage to taking them out is destroying the facilities as well making it much less likely a radical group will gain possession of those weapons.

[AngolaZee]

I don't think Assad would use them, I think most people are scared that if Assad falls then it is highly likely those weapons will end up in the hands of terrorists just like Libyan weapons after Gadaffi fell

[bankside]

I hesitate to go with that, but I also know that if he launches and we could have prevented it I'd wish I had.

But I'd rather see us get Turkey to do it -- they could claim they believed some of the gas could have drifted into their territory, so they struck first.

What makes you think you'd have to "get" Turkey to do it?

[JayHawk]

Perhaps you take excpetion fo rno reason. he could simply mean encourage Turkey to conduct the act of aggression. We should swing out own axes.

[bankside]

Perhaps you take excpetion fo rno reason. he could simply mean encourage Turkey to conduct the act of aggression. We should swing out own axes.

No, I mean they seem pretty motivated to act without persuasion….

[JayHawk]

Right but everyone looks for big backers if they are going to take arms in this world... even us the biggest bully on the block...

[bankside]

I don't think Turkey would have to go in single-handed, but I think they could go in single-handed and be done in about a week. It appears they have more reservists than Syria has soldiers.

Oh, it also might be more palatable for Russia if it were to be a "Turkish self defence operation" rather than a "NATO intervention" which Russia could pretend was a trifling regional matter.

[Kulindahr]

What makes you think you'd have to "get" Turkey to do it?

I'm thinking a suggestion from Biden would do the trick.

I don't think Turkey would have to go in single-handed, but I think they could go in single-handed and be done in about a week. It appears they have more reservists than Syria has soldiers.

Oh, it also might be more palatable for Russia if it were to be a "Turkish self defence operation" rather than a "NATO intervention" which Russia could pretend was a trifling regional matter.

That's my thought, too. It would also be a Muslim nation "disciplining" another Muslim nation, rather than the "Great Satan" attacking the 'faithful' yet again.

[Just_Believe18]

Well the shit is going to finally hit the fan. Thanks to the incompetence of the Arab League, Syria's government is about to exterminate its own people with sarin gas as the whole Arab world watches.

What NATO can do is create a no-fly zone in Syria. Take over the air-space and begin to shoot down every Syrian fighter plane and helicopter. Then wipe out every airbase not captured. If Assad doesn't abdicate then, blow up his palace.

[bankside]

I'm thinking a suggestion from Biden would do the trick.



That's my thought, too. It would also be a Muslim nation "disciplining" another Muslim nation, rather than the "Great Satan" attacking the 'faithful' yet again.

I would prefer to see Turkey as a secular free nation disciplining a dictatorship. And that it be seen that way by local theocracies.

[Lostlover]

The Chickenhawks get a real crisis and they're TOTALLY MIA.

Where's the GOP now?

[JayHawk]

I would prefer to see Turkey as a secular free nation disciplining a dictatorship. And that it be seen that way by local theocracies.

I see you and Kuli's point and it is well taken.

The bottom line is something, someone needs to destroy those chemical weapons LONG before they are used on human beings. Russia be damned.

[Kulindahr]

I would prefer to see Turkey as a secular free nation disciplining a dictatorship. And that it be seen that way by local theocracies.

That's another aspect.

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So who's going to email Obama or Hillary to tell them to call Turkey?

[bankside]

Let's talk turkey….

[xbuzzerx]

The Chickenhawks get a real crisis and they're TOTALLY MIA.

Where's the GOP now?

U.N. bashing and filibustering the budget talks.

[RazorzEdge88]

Good thing we're in Afghanistan, where we're really needed and doing a lot of good!

[T-Rexx]

[Just_Believe18]

^ Sad, but true. I still don't quite see how what Assad *is doing* is different from what Gaddafi almost did in Libya that caused the U.S. to bomb the crap out of Gaddafi's government.

[syam24]

The election is over....

[rareboy]

^^ Remember though that even Libya was not actually a US led and controlled operation.

The whole world is watching though and NATO by lining up the missiles on Turkey's border with Syria is pretty much announcing that the Alliance is ready to move on Assad if he dares use chemical warfare against his own people.

Libya required a whole series of steps before the western powers started firing on Ghaddafi. Same here.

As much as our first reaction in the West would naturally be to pre-emptively strike, it would create an international conflagration.

Assad's time is running out and he knows it.

And I don't think that he will use any chemical weapons. In fact, I'm not sure that the whole thing isn't just a ruse.

[Zu-Mendel]

He has to know that if he gives that order he won't be coming out of this mess alive.

[Kulindahr]

^ Sad, but true. I still don't quite see how what Assad *is doing* is different from what Gaddafi almost did in Libya that caused the U.S. to bomb the crap out of Gaddafi's government.

The doing is not the difference. France claimed some special relationship with Libya, which gave NATO a premise for acting. So far in this one, the only premise is that the war has strayed a bit into Turkey.

[Kulindahr]

^^ Remember though that even Libya was not actually a US led and controlled operation.

The whole world is watching though and NATO by lining up the missiles on Turkey's border with Syria is pretty much announcing that the Alliance is ready to move on Assad if he dares use chemical warfare against his own people.

Libya required a whole series of steps before the western powers started firing on Ghaddafi. Same here.

As much as our first reaction in the West would naturally be to pre-emptively strike, it would create an international conflagration.

Assad's time is running out and he knows it.

And I don't think that he will use any chemical weapons. In fact, I'm not sure that the whole thing isn't just a ruse.

Not if Turkey did the striking. All it needs is one more round killing someone in Turkey and they'll have a reason to use fuel-air bombs against everything connected with the sarin, to keep it from being used anywhere that could drift over the border and kill any of their citizens. As a Muslim country, secular and reasonably free, striking against a Muslim country, dictatorial, they'd be perfectly justified in acting in such a manner to protect their own, and no one could reasonably object.

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He has to know that if he gives that order he won't be coming out of this mess alive.

He may give the order because he's already convinced he won't come out of this alive.

[T-Rexx]

Assad's time is running out and he knows it.

No, he doesn't.

A remarkable thing about autocrats is that they are fundamentally incapable of recognizing the end, even when it is obvious to everyone else.

[T-Rexx]

France claimed some special relationship with Libya, which gave NATO a premise for acting.

It is Italy which has a "special relationship" with Libya. Libya is a former Italian colony.

[nafhoosier]

I don't think Assad would use them, I think most people are scared that if Assad falls then it is highly likely those weapons will end up in the hands of terrorists just like Libyan weapons after Gadaffi fell

Hmmm. Care to explain why you think Assad would pound and shell his own people with heavy artillery but refrain from using chemical weapons.

Let's face it. Assad is a bloodthirsty monster who puts his thirst for power over the well being of his people. The deaths of his own citizens (including children) are secondary as long as he has the thrown. He'll do anything it takes to keep it.

There seems to be no direction for the Syrian rebels like the faint direction the Libyan, Tunisian, and Egyptian rebels had (perhaps more so Libya). That is the only concern for me.

[Kulindahr]

It is Italy which has a "special relationship" with Libya. Libya is a former Italian colony.

Oops.

[Just_Believe18]

I believe Assad will use chemical weapons on his own people in the coming weeks. It is going to be an international disaster that is going to flood the airwaves. My only uncertainty is how the civilized world is going to respond. Its trepidation so far in its involvement leaves me pessimistic about the Syrian people being saved.

Thousands are going to die very soon, and we'll be seeing the pictures as it happens.

[White Eagle]

Oops.

Are you channeling Perry?