Paphitis:
It is true we** want regime change in Syria but at a time that will suit us which invariably means a transition to a stable handover to moderates and not some Islamist extremists like DAESH, or other groups. That is not in our interests at all, neither is a 20 year war containing these crazy elements. Assad is a lot more easier to handle.
( ** ‘We’ as in the US or ‘We’ as in Australia/ NATO/Western Nations?)
Isn’t every aspect of these events aimed to suit the timing and requirements of the US? But, why not work with Assad’s forces to that end and THEN put ASSAD on the ‘
naughty step’ for a good dressing down when DAESH and all the other Islamic groups have been eliminated? (
or at least thinned out!).
Going back to when the unrest started in Syria, didn’t Assad back down after the emergence of the first ‘
spring’ uprising and agree to changes? I seem to recall that these were being implemented when the ‘
opposition rebels’ decided to make it a shooting war, with the immediate support of Hilary Clinton who was the US mouthpiece at the time.
This is the Sping RH. Yes the Arab Spring was hijacked by extremists, and we lost 2 puppets of our own.
‘
WE’ should not have been involved in the first bloody place ....... these decision can only be made by the people whose country it is! Take a look at what is going on in Yemen. The people got rid of the US/Israeli/Saudi puppet and now this trio is intent on putting him back into power by any means possible. But the US is not going to put boots on the ground to achieve the aim ..... they are prepared to wait.
Also, the IAF has not been waging an extensive campaign to degrade the regime. It has conducted airstrikes in Syria but these strikes were against Al Nusra elements who control most of the Syrian and Israeli border and who regularly fire upon IDF positions in the Golan Heights.
The ISAF attacks Assad’s installations and Syrian people on a regular basis and has been doing so since Putin calmed things down by getting Assad to destroy his chemical weapons and facilities. But as I said previously, you very rarely see this mentioned in the MSM. If it is mentioned it is always in the context of destroying weapons ‘....
on their way to Hezbollah’. I am sure you how and why Hezbollah came into being with the assistance of Iran?
I would also point out that in International Law the Golan Heights belongs to Syria, as does part of southern Lebanon occupied by Israel. Much of the lands called Israel, is Palestinian land under occupation by Zionist Forces! Once again, under International Law these countries have an incontrovertible right to defend their lands against an occupying force. On the other hand Israel has no such rights as they are an occupying force that acquired the land through force of arms and every attack is an act of war. This is another reason why I do not hold the US in great regard as they have supported all these breaches of International Law and various conventions, since Israel unilaterally declared it’s existence in 1948.
You mentioned that Syrian Forces have shot down an IAF jet. Can you provide some information please? Where and when? What missile was used and what happened to the Israeli Pilot? The Israelis would want him back? Has he been returned to Israel?
Here are a few sites that covered the story. Credibility? Like all these sites that get the information direct from the battle field, confirmation takes time to get through. At least the report is not just an identical ‘
Reuters’ report syndicated by a 1001 news outlets. It would appear that the pilot had no time to eject. Note also that the Syrians are getting crafty? Use less effective missiles to occupy the aircrafts electronics and then launch the S-300!
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940531000300http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-shoots-down-israeli-warplane-f-16-bomber-and-helicopters/5471009http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150822/1026069664/israeli-jet-shot-down-over-syria.htmlAs a strategic partner, there is nothing they (The US) would not do for us.
If it is in THEIR strategic or commercial interests to do so! Suez Canal and The Falklands being two examples that spring to mind, where support from the US for their allies was not forthcoming.
IMO the last military action by the US that had any legitimacy was the Berlin Air Lift!!!! The first Gulf War is questionable because it is often argued that Saddam had the nod from the US Sec. of State and US Ambassador, to go for Kuwait. But certainly since then all their military interventions have been in the sole interests of the USA!
And even with all their issues (gun control, arrogance at times), they are a hell of a lot better than Putin's Russia or silly repressive regimes like Assad. Hands down better it is silly even comparing.
And yet Putin’s popularity rating is over 80% whereas Obama’s is barely in double figures. People do not seem capable of differentiating between Putin's Russia and the USSR’s communist regime(s). As you point out, times have moved on and I regard Putin as a very astute leader.
