38 replies to this topic

[Lysistrata]

The USA has launched 59 Tomahawk missiles at Assad...

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-launches-missiles-syrian-base-after-chemical-weapons-attack-n743636?cid=eml_nbn_20170406

 

Let's hope the Russians were smart enough to take cover.

[DeathMerchant]

It is a great feeling having a leader with a spine again. Obama is gone and we aren't in the shadows anymore.

But I do sincerely hope future military action will go through Congress. Last thing the world needs is another Libya intervention. Because as much as I despise Assad, eliminating him would create a massive power vacuum. Things would get a lot worse before they would have a chance at improving. The countless splinter factions would still keep fighting one another.

Launching clandestine raids, air strikes, and missile strikes is one thing. But even I know committing to a military ground campaign in Syria would be a nightmare. Not saying the US, NATO, UN couldn't do it, but its a quagmire we should really avoid. North Korea is where our focus should be. I'll spare the technical details and sources, but they are getting quite close to ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads. All they really have to do at this point is get reliable missile launches. And ever since Trump has become President, NK has been rushing to perfect this technology. They know time is running out, and its crunch time to get a functional nuke.

[Lysistrata]

But I do sincerely hope future military action will go through Congress. Last thing the world needs is another Libya intervention. Because as much as I despise Assad, eliminating him would create a massive power vacuum. Things would get a lot worse before they would have a chance at improving. The countless splinter factions would still keep fighting one another.

Trump doesn't have a problem with Congress... he wanted to show strength quickly without warning. This move was more for his current visitor, the President of China... I think he will be letting him know that Kim Jong-un is coming to an end, and it's up to him how it all goes down. I don't know if allowing murderous rulers to stay in power is a good trade off for that power vacuum. I like people having the chance to choose their own good leaders. but I have always been a fan of just blowing up the bad guys whenever they take power and say, "Nope, not that guy. Try again". This is Trump though, and if you put the fate of those countries in his hands, he will expect payment and reparations... like all that oil over there.

[LordSunday]

It is a great feeling having a leader with a spine again. Obama is gone and we aren't in the shadows anymore.

I don't think I could agree any more with this statement. I knew that when the deployment of troops in the Middle East was being re-classified we were back in business, and this time we're doing it right. Using the full might of our military is absolutely a sign to other nations that we mean what we say now. President Trump is doing a fantastic job of showing countries everywhere that the US is serious again, and is not here to be the nice guy.

 

Trump doesn't have a problem with Congress... he wanted to show strength quickly without warning. This move was more for his current visitor, the President of China... I think he will be letting him know that Kim Jong-un is coming to an end, and it's up to him how it all goes down.

To highlight my point about showing the US isn't going to be getting pushed around any time soon in any deals or negotiations.

[Euphorical]

I think this might be the only thing that Trump done right.

On North Korea - I don't expect China to waver from its current standpoint regarding North Korea aka stopping coal imports from NK and enforcing harsher sanctions. IMO because China is still unhappy about the THAAD. One thing to note is that China actually banned all coal imports from NK for a few months before reversing the ban, and I think it might be because of the THAAD.

China is afraid of US influence in Asia and hence is supporting NK because it is a buffer state between itself and US ally South Korea. China has been trying to deter US influence through financial means e.g Philippines and Cambodia, and also trying to undermine the independence of ASEAN to get it to support China against US.

Another thing to note is that China is pretty unhappy with Kim Jong Un for assasinating Kim Jong Nam and also executing Jang Song Thaek some years back. These two figures are very close with China.

I bet China will be happy for US to bomb the hell out of NK, and will not try to succumb to US's demands. Even if it removes the buffer state that is NK, China will try to conquer NK which is easier to do so when the regime has fallen (see Serial Research Project on the History and Current State of the Northeast Borderland, through which it lay lots of stupid claims).

[ccabal86]

It seems that the administration gave a heads-up to the russians beforehand. This fact makes this a very strong statement, something Obama should have done long ago.

[Lysistrata]

It seems that the administration gave a heads-up to the russians beforehand. This fact makes this a very strong statement, something Obama should have done long ago.

Yes. They were able to move the aircraft. This was a warning shot. A wave of anger will occur... we already see it in Sweden. We have to get rid of these people. They are poison, and now they're everywhere.

[brewersalliance]

about time.  'Merica

[The Warrior]

The world's response to last night's military action in Syria was very telling.

 

European leaders, as well as the leaders in key middle-eastern states (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, etc), were very supportive of the action that President Trump took. Meanwhile Russia, China, and Iran were critical of the move. It's shocking I know that the majority of the world responded positively to these actions with the exception of those who are being challenged by Trump.

 

In addition to the above, there have been dozens of reports from Syrian nationals who have praised Trump for taking action against Assad.

 

It is nice to see decisive action for a change instead of idle threats.

[ccabal86]

Actually, China's reaction was more neutral.

[onbekende]

So I guess Congress isn't needed for these kind of actions >_>

 

So I guess Republicans do start offensives >_>

 

Russia claiming they could have dropped 36 (or something) of those Tomahawks but didn't cause of "reasons", wonder if they tried and failed

 

First I heared in the morning was "59 missles launched", was thinking we could start playing checkers on that airfield , then images came in and it was rather "benign" or so (guess one calls it "precise bombing").

 

Probability of hitting Russian hardware: very

Probability of hitting Russian planes: tiny

Probabilty of hitting Russians: guess thats why they called ahead?

 

 

 

PS. good job btw, nobody really opposes this move, some just might draw some notes as to why this was handled/received differently between a Republican or a Democratic president.

[brewersalliance]

the only issue with syria is that its really impossible to support either side.  the rebels are aided by ISIS and the government uses wmd's on kids. thank god I wasnt born in the middle east

[DarkFox]

It is a great feeling having a leader with a spine again. Obama is gone and we aren't in the shadows anymore.

 

 

While I agree that Obama never would have acted like this in such a public manner, lets remember during Obama's time there was about 560 some odd drone strikes (about 50 during Bush's and we had more fighting during his terms). 

 

Drone strikes were so common in Pakistan that innocent civilians were scared to go outside during clear days.

 

Also Obama wanted to invade in 2013 but the Republican controlled congress shut him down. I don't care one way or the other to be honest, just trying to make sure everyone has their facts straight.

[Lysistrata]

Also Obama wanted to invade in 2013 but the Republican controlled congress shut him down. I don't care one way or the other to be honest, just trying to make sure everyone has their facts straight.

Just so everyone has their facts straight... Obama drew the "red line" by saying he would do something if Assad started using chemical weapons... Assad used chemical weapons... the UK took a vote and said no to doing anything... Obama was scared to do anything on his own, so he went to a Republican controlled Congress to make the call... they said "No buddy, you said it, so it's on you"... Obama did nothing... Assad used chemical weapons again... Trump made the call this time. What a difference a real President makes.

 

I'm sure Nikki Haley made the difference between doing, and not doing. Now the United Nations will listen to her.

[Robert2424]

I don't if this is over yet the Russian navy is approaching.

[Lysistrata]

I don't if this is over yet the Russian navy is approaching.

They have to act like they're doing something, or no one anywhere else will fear them. It's either send a ship to wave at us, or abandon Syria... they sent a ship to wave at us. It will be best for them to negotiate the removal of Assad and the end of ISIS, but I don't know how the Syrians feel about Russian influence in their country. We shall see.

[Rhizoctonia]

If Obama pulled this shit, you'll would be bitching he didn't go through Congress.  The hypocrisy is astounding.   

 

Continue with your military complex and you're need for US to play world police.  This is not something that shouldn't be policed nor dealt with solely by the US.  

http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/sen-rand-paul-syria-trump-another-unconstitutional-rush-war/

[onbekende]

I am more intrigued as to why Assad pulled that stunt now, perhaps his Russian overlords wanted to see what Trump would do? perhaps Assad did it on his own? Perhaps even Assad wasn't fully in the loop (with various stages of russians being in or out)?

 

Not that much changes on the ground, the airfield hit was a minor one (and still operational from what I hear) and it wasn't like chemial attacks were the backbone of Assad's whole strategy.

 

Basically you just pegged the bully's sideburns cause he brought a nailed baseball bat to a fight, in the mean time you don't care for his brass knuckles...

 

 

EDIT: HAHAHAHAHA, look what I just stumbled opun, someone go ask Obama to claim a copywrite infraction! (I will leave the talks about the "safety" of that room for US posters to fling poo at )

[Yehom]

If Obama pulled this shit, you'll would be bitching he didn't go through Congress.  The hypocrisy is astounding.   

 

[Lysistrata]

This is not something that shouldn't be policed nor dealt with solely by the US.  

First... Congress is not Commander in Chief, the President is. The President can use military force in a limited action without approval of Congress. It's been this way since WWII.

 

Second... Sarin Gas is illegal by international law. We are obligated to act, even when no one else has the courage.

 

I like Rand Paul too, and I respect your Libertarian position on this issue. Opinion noted, but Trump chose a different path.