Posted on 09/30/2015 6:31:27 AM PDT by Trumpinator
Russia begins conducting airstrikes in Syria, U.S. official says
By Andrew Roth and Daniela Deane September 30 at 8:44 AM
MOSCOW — Russian warplanes launched airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday, a U.S. official said, after Russia’s parliament granted President Vladimir Putin authorization to use military force in the multi-layered conflict.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Assad the dad was down with Bush, Sr in the first Gulf War. The Assad, Jr regime was torturing al-Qaeda for us during the second war. Yes, Sunni jihadis were pouring into Iraq from Syria but it could be the case Syria was failing as a regime then and could not stop the jihadis for whatever reason (weakness, better they die in Iraq than start wars at home, etc).
FSA = front for al-Qaeda
The civilians should not be hanging out with jihadis.
Never let a good crisis go to waste. Ashton Carter is on FoxNews right now explaining why we “need” to allow the budget to go through so now we can help into Syria. Wow, the last day of the CR, isn’t that convenient?
While Assad family is not the warm and fuzzy types, yes, his regime was a secular “equal opportunity oppressor,” just like Khadafi, Mubarak and Hussein. Christians were not singled out for persecution, nor for the outright extermination that is taking place now.
Most of the Syrian Christians are Antiochean Orthodox, who trace the origins of their churches to the Apostle Paul. They have been using the John Chrysostom ritual since the 5th or 6th Century. We have a large Antichoean congregation in our community; last year they finished a new church, which was built to resemble a 6th Century Byzantine church. The inside is painted with the most amazing iconography that just takes your breath away with it’s beauty.
I have many friends who attend there (and I have attended a service or two, and always attend their annual festival). They tell me what is happening to their friends and families back home and it’s heartbreaking.
Right so far, but to clarify one point:
There were two post-9/11 wars in Iraq.
1. Eliminate the Saddam regime. This was achieved (”Mission Accomplished”) in 3 days flat, eviscerating the power infrastructure with terrifying efficiency & speed.
2. Fill the power vacuum. Seems nobody seriously considered that once the regime was torn out, a gaping hole remained and required filling ASAP; failing to install a new & viable government within days...weeks...months...years, every “power by any means necessary” would-be tyrant et al jumped in to take advantage of the situation, leaving an infestation requiring block-by-block boots-on-the-ground exterminators ... until the Obama decided he actually liked the infestation and pulled out so they could take over as they saw fit.
“And all are equally bad.” How true...
I sure wish you had called Rush today, and read him your post. I couldn’t believe my ears hearing him saying how horrible the Russians were, bombing our “allies” the moderate rebels.
There are no such things as “moderate” moslems.
Putin has no interest in fighting ISIS he can blame the rise of ISIS on Obama and the U.S. Putin goals:
#1 - Kill the Syrian Rebels fighting Assad.
#2 - Create a United State of Russia, Syria, Iraq, Iran.
#3 - Use this Middle East power to reclaim the Soviet States.
#4 - Help Iran destroy Israel and the USA.
Every Century has their Hitler and their Neville Chamberlain. God help us all.
This and post 57 are right interesting.
Yup
Oh, I believe they’re all bad. Just if you go by what this President says, and who he’s been backing, Obama has made us look so weak and incompetent and it’s a complete lie the Russians are bombing ISIS like they say they are. Just a different nasty group. And the U.S. Will never touch Russia, thereby propping up Syria even more and helping them remain a state sponsor of terror while also having more power in the region in general. Obama is totally out of his league here.
Just reporting what retired Col Ralph Peters stated live. I like Ralph Peters views on things. I agree every group in Syria pretty much sucks.
No. Just saying Peters believes they are the lesser of two evils.
“They tell me what is happening to their friends and families back home and it’s heartbreaking.”
WE have Syrians in our parish, some of them first generation, some of them 4th. When I was a little kid, there were so many that I thought Syria was part of Greece! They are good people, good Orthodox Christians and spectacular cooks! They should be invited here if only to improve the quality of our food!
Amen on the cooking part. While the Kafta is terrific, the best part of the St. George festival is the home made dessert table.
Our festival just ended two weekends ago. The ladies’ pastry sales were the 2nd largest money maker!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.