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U.S. Should Rethink Policy on Syria’s Assad
The Wall Street Journal ^ | October 14, 2015 | Paul deLespinasse

Posted on 10/13/2015 7:54:36 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

Numerous Journal editorials and other pieces, including William A. Galston’s “Obama’s Wishful-Thinking Syria Policy” (Politics & Ideas, Oct. 7), agree that the U.S. has been doing too little about Syria. Gen. David Petraeus recently told Congress the same thing. On the contrary, we have been doing too much.

Americans need to understand that moral standards appropriate at the personal (or “micro”) level cannot be applied uncritically at the “macro” level in which governments operate. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad presides over a civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands and driven crowds to flee. American policy is that Mr. Assad is an evil man and has to go. Russian and Iranian support for his regime is considered outrageous.

We need to reconsider. Mr. Assad’s forces face several rebel groups and Islamic State. Wholesale atrocities, committed by all sides, will end only when the civil war ends. If rebel forces destroy Mr. Assad, war will continue while the various groups fight to see who would rule. A victory by Mr. Assad’s loyalists would be the fastest way to end the war.

Whatever their reasons for supporting Mr. Assad, therefore, Russia and Iran are promoting more humane results than is the U.S., whose support for rebels prolongs the misery. Syria is just one of many places where American inaction is the best possible action.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; Syria
KEYWORDS: china; obama; russia; syria
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1 posted on 10/13/2015 7:54:36 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

In order for the U.S. to rethink policy, Obama would have to admit he was wrong ... not going to happen. His hubris will not allow it.


2 posted on 10/13/2015 8:01:08 PM PDT by doc1019 (Out of my mind ... back in 5)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Partition Syria into Sunni, Kurdish and Alawite areas.


3 posted on 10/13/2015 8:03:18 PM PDT by gandalftb (Go Seahawks!)
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To: gandalftb

That has never worked trying to create homelands where none existed before...


4 posted on 10/13/2015 8:05:09 PM PDT by 100American (Knowledge is knowing how, Wisdom is knowing when)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Our duly elected leaders have sold us out to the side of pure demonic evil,

Obama/McCain want their ISIS/muslim brotherhood pals to win and to pretend their ‘moderate’

No other nation on the Earth believes that lie but them,


5 posted on 10/13/2015 8:16:12 PM PDT by captmar-vell
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To: MinorityRepublican

BS, let them kill each other.


6 posted on 10/13/2015 8:18:25 PM PDT by umgud (v)
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To: MinorityRepublican

That’s defeatist talk. The welfare of the Syrian people must not be our primary interest. Our primary interest is the national security of the United States, followed by that of our ally Israel. Destruction of the Assad regime and expulsion of Russian and Iranian forces, which would weaken the strategic position of both those nations, is the best thing for us and for Israel.


7 posted on 10/13/2015 8:25:40 PM PDT by gtx960
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To: umgud
Abu Mohammed Al Jolani, the commander of Jabhat Al Nusra/The leader of Al Qaeda in Syria...Obama's "well vetted" friend he just dropped 50 tons of weapons to.....doesn't this make us all feel warm and cozy now!


8 posted on 10/13/2015 8:31:47 PM PDT by caww
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To: gtx960
Yup. More defeatism from the Wormtongues at the Wall Street Journal-- somebody over there is either being paid by the Russians or Iranians or has some business interest with either or both of them that would benefit when their masters see these words of "wisdom" being offered to the American people.

There is nothing more important than the crushing of the Russian-Iranian axis in the Middle East.

9 posted on 10/13/2015 8:37:10 PM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens")
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To: gtx960

Looks like someone bought a new sock.


10 posted on 10/13/2015 8:40:29 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (NATO and ISIS sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G)
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To: pierrem15

“There is nothing more important than the crushing of the Russian-Iranian axis in the Middle East.”

Right, Captain. Don’t you have some cans of strawberries to inventory?


11 posted on 10/13/2015 8:41:51 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (NATO and ISIS sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G)
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To: gtx960

You are whacked. The USA has no business being inside Syria.

None.


12 posted on 10/13/2015 8:42:45 PM PDT by Southack (The one thing preppers need from the 1st World? http://tinyurl.com/ktfwljc .)
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To: pierrem15

You think that the Russians were flying bombing missions in Syria *before* Obama set Syria on fire?!


13 posted on 10/13/2015 8:43:51 PM PDT by Southack (The one thing preppers need from the 1st World? http://tinyurl.com/ktfwljc .)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Assad did not kiss Obama’s ring, therefore he must go. Who cares what the consequences are.


14 posted on 10/13/2015 8:44:31 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: pierrem15

I agree. At this late stage- how would that be accomplished?


15 posted on 10/13/2015 8:46:39 PM PDT by RedHeeler
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To: gtx960

“Destruction of the Assad regime and expulsion of Russian and Iranian forces, which would weaken the strategic position of both those nations, is the best thing for us and for Israel.”

Then why is Israel cooperating with Russia? And why do the Christians of Syria welcome Russia bombing their persecutors?

The policy you advocate - siding with jihadists against Assad - will mean more Christians martyred.


16 posted on 10/13/2015 9:32:21 PM PDT by WilliamIII
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To: Cementjungle

Assad did not kiss Obama’s ring, therefore he must go.

Assad is protecting Syria’s Christians. Therefore he must go.


17 posted on 10/13/2015 9:33:09 PM PDT by WilliamIII
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To: RedHeeler; MinorityRepublican; doc1019; gandalftb; 100American; captmar-vell; umgud; gtx960; ...

“SYRIAN CHRISTIANS LOOK TO ASSAD REGIME FOR PROTECTION FROM JIHADIS”

http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/03/25/syrian-christians-look-to-assad-regime-for-protection-from-jihadis/


18 posted on 10/13/2015 9:39:08 PM PDT by WilliamIII
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To: MinorityRepublican

I question the loyalty and intellect of those who want the enemy to possess more stability and strength for their evil pursuits rather than weariness and weakness. Meanness and dishonesty currently prevail in politics. Meanness and dishonesty also appear to be elements of an abominable fad, where many desire to follow the most evil influences and dictators on the planet. May the planet and weather continue to change accordingly.


19 posted on 10/13/2015 9:39:44 PM PDT by familyop (You're fired.)
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To: gtx960

“Destruction of the Assad regime and expulsion of Russian and Iranian forces, which would weaken the strategic position of both those nations, is the best thing for us and for Israel.”

Loony tunes. Yes, lets “expel” Russia. Also known as WWIII. And then when the ISIS jihadis take over Syria, ISIS will share a border with Israel.
And you might not have noticed, but the Russians and Israelis are cooperating and having intel sharing and coordination.

For extra credit, tell me how removing Assad is in the US national interest.


20 posted on 10/13/2015 9:39:55 PM PDT by DesertRhino ("I want those feeble minded asses overthrown,,,")
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