"Political, not military" solutions needed in Mideast: US (Hagel)

AFP ^ | 10 May 2013 | AFP/ac

[haffast]

WASHINGTON: The problems that plague the Middle East, including Iran's nuclear ambitions and Syria's civil war, require "political, not military" solutions, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday.

Saying the "old order" was vanishing in the region, Hagel stressed in a speech that the United States would work to promote democratic reform while bearing in mind the "limitations" of American power.

Although the Pentagon chief made clear that Washington had not ruled out potential military action against Iran or Syria, his remarks highlighted President Barack Obama's cautious stance on resorting to armed force in the volatile region.

He said that "regional challenges" including "the nuclear challenge posed by Iran, dangerous instability in Syria, or the continuing threat of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups" must be addressed through "coalitions of common interests," including Israel and other allies in the region.

"A common thread woven into the Middle East fabric is that the most enduring and effective solutions to the challenges facing the region are political, not military," Hagel told an audience at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

"America's role in the Middle East is to continue to help influence and shape the course of events -- using diplomatic, economic, humanitarian, intelligence, and security tools in coordination with our allies," he said.

snip

[haffast]

The "old order" is passing away. "Coalitions of common interests" (NWO) forming.

Withold butter, or give butter diplomacy, bullets as a last resort. A kinder, gentler, Secretary of Defense.

A country has gotta know its "limitations".

[ClearCase_guy]

The Caliphate would be a political solution. Is that what the US is seeking? Sure seems like it.

[stanne]

Is he still blabbing.

He was sworn in, what, two months ago?

He hasn’t figured out what a bloody mess his boss and predecessors have made?

Bugs bunny had a name for suckers like him.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Why not a military solution? Crush the Islamic people, killing 2/3 of their number and that would end the radical Islamic thing.

[OldNavyVet]

Obama is a wimp.

America was once known as a peaceful nation carrying a big stick.

[SunkenCiv]

Yes, it’s called the 2014 and 2016 US elections.

Thanks haffast.

[stanne]

Well, BO got his sorry self close enough to cheat hisself in, didn’t he?

[ConorMacNessa]

Okay, let me see if I have this straight - we have a Marxist Muslim occupying the WH, a notorious traitor holding down the fort in Faggy Bottom, and a dickless Quisling in the Pentagon.

What could possibly go wrong?



"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[SkyPilot]

Hagel hates Israel, that is why he was chosen by Obama. I am beginning to wonder if Satan's plan was to weaken the US militarily so much, and to lose political will to such a degree, that when Israel is attacked there will be no one to come to her aid.

[jjotto]

Or to save her from ‘helpful friends’.

[PGalt]

Very well-stated, Conor. BTTT!

[RedHeeler]

Cold Turkey. Old Fish.

[ansel12]

The basic thing that the civilized world should have known about Islam is, contain the infection first, stop it’s spreading, then deal with the contaminated areas with politics and military.

The worst thing was to import it and incorporate it into our culture and education system and put it on a pedestal.

[hinckley buzzard]

Another Les Aspin, who has no idea what is going on around him. Better men than he have been pursuing "political solutions" for a generation without success even when we were far stronger than now. What a dangerous fool

[wku man]

Yup. I think we oughta line up every strategic bomber we have, wingtip to wingtip, and start carpet bombing. Re-enact the invasion of Europe using Israel as England. Level the whole friggin' region, then send in the armor and infantry, to shoot anything that crawls out of the rubble. Continue until the goat humpers beg us to stop killing them. Go Roman on their a**es and see how long it takes to end the Caliphate once and for all.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[ExTexasRedhead]

How about some truth for a change??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqtJrJ40Cio

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

I presume self defence qualifies as a military solution.

[M Kehoe]

"Political, not military" solutions needed in Mideast: US (Hagel)

Nuke Mecca, Medina and Qom. Problem solved.

Imho of course.

5.56mm