Comments on: Iraq Confronts Syria over Terrorism as U.S. Dithers

By: vivo

vivo — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:36:03 +0000

Assuming this article is true, it’s about time these countries start fighting their own enemies.

By: Rich Vail

Rich Vail — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:43:51 +0000

We should have done something about Syria when we had the combat power in the region. It wouldn’t have taken much to topple the fascist dictatorship of the Syrian Baath party. Just a nudge…I am a firm believer in Theodore Roosevelt’s school of world power “speak softly and carry a BIG STICK”.

The governments of the Middle East only understand firmness. Back in the early 1980′s it was the fashion of islamic terrorists to take westerners hostage. In Lebenon, a couple of Soviet citizens were taken hostage. Rather than negotiate, the Soviets sent in Spetznaz commando’s who “cleansed” a village belonging to the realitives of the leader of the terrorist group. Needless to say, no other Soviet citizens were seized by terrorists in the area.

By not showing them the stick in 1979, when Iran’s islamic revolution occurred, we have allowed ourselves to be manuvered from awkward position to another. Had Mr. Carter used the stick when Iran seized our embassy (until the advent of the Carter Doctrine, it was an immediate declaration of war when one country seized the embassy of another), we would not have 90% of the problems we have in that area. Syria and Iran’s initial reaction to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was consternation followed by fear of “are we next”? We should have intimated that it was “possible”.

By allowing both countries to be bases from which the insurgency was launched in 2003/4 we have permitted them to greatly contribute to the destabilization of Iraq. Once we had concrete evidence that those nations were supporting the insurgency (by allowing insurgents to base there) we should have spoken directly to those governments “cease and desist or we will destroy those bases.” And then followed through, following through with threats is the important part, we should NEVER dither in making decisions. That only arms our enemies with the belief that our leadership is weak. We have the technology to launch airstrikes into those country with laser guided munitions that the aircraft launching them would never have left Iraqi airspace…that’s the big stick. It have gotten the attention in far more a direct manner than asking, hat in had “please don’t help those bad people, pretty please.”

By: Alek

Alek — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:18:14 +0000

Maliki was a much more deserving candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize fighting ruthless terrorists, corruption, foriegn meddling in his country(Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia). Maybe Obama will share it with him, but I doubt it.

By: wancow

wancow — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:25:55 +0000

My understanding is that Syria is more and more becoming a puppet of Iran.

IMHO, Iran is the bigger story. It has a proxy war going in Yemen Vs. Saudi Arabia and a lot of involvement in the Sudan. Plus it’s supplying Hezbollah, which both Syria and Iran are denying.

Now Syria is offering to MEDIATE with Iran? Excuse me?

Iran, people! That’s the Elephant in the room. Iraqi internal affairs would go much smoother if that threat were neutralized!

By: David W. Lincoln

David W. Lincoln — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:00:16 +0000

Why would the current batch of deformed souls, zombies and other ilk inside the Beltway want to emulate Churchill? After all, Malaki is emulating Churchill, and Churchill’s bust was returned to Great Britain by the deformed soul currently in the Oval Office.

By: Formerly known as Skeptic

Formerly known as Skeptic — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:32:04 +0000

Not that I think it is likely to happen, but wouldn’t it be rich if Assad were to lose power in Syria due the actions of a now democratic Iraq. It’s almost like there was a long term goal here…

By: John "birther" Samford

John "birther" Samford — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:36:01 +0000

Won’t matter here in the states. The Left believes what it believs and nothing in the way of proof or evidence will change their belief. Look at AGW.
There is hard evidence that AGW is a scam. Nothing but a Trillion dollar fraud. AGW supporters will not change their mind.
People are still trying to invest with Madeoff.
Mountains of Evidence that Saddam had WMD and transferred it to Syria. That hasn’t prevented the Left from denying it’s existence.
Fools ignore reality. Which is only fair, since reality ignores fools.

By: george

george — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:47:18 +0000

It’s almost an interesting piece – but where is the evidence that Iraq is actually going after the Syrians? Recalling an ambassador is just more of the posing that you seem to think is an inadequate response to the provocation.