It seems I was wrong about the S-300 missile defence system being deployed in Syria, they had been ordered but, not delivered because they were not paid for! According to this website anyhow, I bet they wish they had them now
Also (as these were discussed above) the s-300 systems sold to Iran were dependant on them complying with certain criteria regarding the nuclear enrichment programme which, they failed to adhere to. So the Russians have scrapped the deal before they were even delivered.
GOLDEN RULE: Don't make threats you're not prepared to act upon. Net result of Obama's prevarication: The Iranian's will press on with nuclear armament certain that the US does not have the stomach to prevent them.
Or at least have proof first before attacking
24 hours earlier Kerry was adamant that they have incontrovertible proof. Not a scintilla of doubt for the Obama Administration. Even if Obama can enlist enough Republicans to give him political cover on 9 Sept, by the time any strike occurs, they will be less likely to be hitting the intended targets and more likely to be killing civilians who happen to be (or are placed by Assad) in the way. Moreover, now that Netanyahu knows he can't trust Obama to stop the Iranians from completing a nuclear missile capability (on the contrary, they're likely to be emboldened to do so by this prevarication), you'd have to assume Israel will likely launch a pre-emptive strike itself against Iran.
These kind of nuances prove how incredibly complex international relations are. The vast majority of "joe public" in the UK or the US will most likely not understand the ramifications of the action their government decide is necessary. It's far from simple. It is the duty of our politicians to explain the nuances and convince us that action is (or is not) necessary.
This is surely far too serious for political points-scoring - all of our politicians should debate this openly and not be seeking to damage one-another with a view to who wins the next general election.
Politics is all about point scoring both on a single debate and over a period of time about competence over the economy, defence and other issues. It may seem unpleasant, petty and destructive but how else can a particular political philosophy get across its views? You can argue that there are many people who don't vote who might be attracted back in with a friendlier approach but the stakes are too high.
The one big win was politicians of both sides in Parliament saying they were not going to war over a dossier with no evidence... As I said before time to talk to the Russians... Have I started that Robert Fisk book yet? Tomorrow?!
Add to that the attacks on Shia's and in particular Iran/Iranians sectarianism violence is taking off across the region and at the heart of it Saudi Arabia.
I'm so glad that America backed down even if it were forced in the end, bombing was the wrong way to go and I suspect prompted and encouraged by our ally in the region Saudi Arabia.
I've been banging this drum for so long my hands hurt.
was just thinking about the film 'waltz with Bashir' . which btw is a great film. and I wanted to know a little more about what the war in Lebanon during the 70's and 80's and I find out only a couple of hours ago there has been a suicide bombers hitting the Iranian embassy in Beirut. They think it's something to do with Syria so I thought i'll put it on this thread.
It's just a weird coincidence, me randomly thinking about a film I watched some time ago to make me want to look up Beirut online, and finding out that this has just happened there...
was just thinking about the film 'waltz with Bashir' . which btw is a great film. and I wanted to know a little more about what the war in Lebanon during the 70's and 80's and I find out only a couple of hours ago there has been a suicide bombers hitting the Iranian embassy in Beirut. They think it's something to do with Syria so I thought i'll put it on this thread.
It's just a weird coincidence, me randomly thinking about a film I watched some time ago to make me want to look up Beirut online, and finding out that this has just happened there...
edit: same link as you have above loco. still, I was just taken back a bit by the coincidence.
Yes I've seen the film, it's about the Israelis standing guard while Drews militia men (who are supposedly Christian) go into a Palestinian refugee camp and massacre the inhabitants. We've not seen the end of that one believe me, vengeance shall be reaped upon them from some nutters sooner or later.
^just read up on that massacre. I couldn't believe what I was reading.
it's so depressing when I saw the film and then read up on it.
I thought maybe that area has had it's bit when it comes to death. seems as if it hasn't stopped. Looking back at what Beirut used to be like it's such a shame that even to this modern day it's still being dragged down.
was just thinking about the film 'waltz with Bashir' . which btw is a great film. and I wanted to know a little more about what the war in Lebanon during the 70's and 80's and I find out only a couple of hours ago there has been a suicide bombers hitting the Iranian embassy in Beirut. They think it's something to do with Syria so I thought i'll put it on this thread.
It's just a weird coincidence, me randomly thinking about a film I watched some time ago to make me want to look up Beirut online, and finding out that this has just happened there...
edit: same link as you have above loco. still, I was just taken back a bit by the coincidence.
Yes I've seen the film, it's about the Israelis standing guard while Drews militia men (who are supposedly Christian) go into a Palestinian refugee camp and massacre the inhabitants. We've not seen the end of that one believe me, vengeance shall be reaped upon them from some nutters sooner or later.
it's such a shame. seeing what people nowerdays are willing to do for whatever reasons. vengeance is very much likely. always the innocent gets most affected.
for myself I always wondered in this situations what I could do to help.
Comments
http://missilethreat.com/report-russia-suspends-delivery-of-s-300-missile-defense-system-to-syria/
Also (as these were discussed above) the s-300 systems sold to Iran were dependant on them complying with certain criteria regarding the nuclear enrichment programme which, they failed to adhere to. So the Russians have scrapped the deal before they were even delivered.
http://en.ria.ru/world/20130829/183040436/S-300-Missiles-for-Iran-Dismantled-Scrapped---Manufacturer.html
---------------------------
General Jack Keane offers his view on likely targets and level depth of attack.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-23941520
The one big win was politicians of both sides in Parliament saying they were not going to war over a dossier with no evidence... As I said before time to talk to the Russians... Have I started that Robert Fisk book yet? Tomorrow?!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24724163
Add to that the attacks on Shia's and in particular Iran/Iranians sectarianism violence is taking off across the region and at the heart of it Saudi Arabia.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24997876
I'm so glad that America backed down even if it were forced in the end, bombing was the wrong way to go and I suspect prompted and encouraged by our ally in the region Saudi Arabia.
I've been banging this drum for so long my hands hurt.
It's just a weird coincidence, me randomly thinking about a film I watched some time ago to make me want to look up Beirut online, and finding out that this has just happened there...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24997876
edit: same link as you have above loco. still, I was just taken back a bit by the coincidence.
I thought maybe that area has had it's bit when it comes to death. seems as if it hasn't stopped. Looking back at what Beirut used to be like it's such a shame that even to this modern day it's still being dragged down.
for myself I always wondered in this situations what I could do to help.