PDA

View Full Version : Obama Administration Working Around U.N. to Create Friends of Syria Meeting



Conley
02-09-2012, 09:31 PM
The Obama administration is working to help organize a so-called "friends of Syria" meeting as part of what the State Department says is a push to work "outside the U.N. system," after the Security Council shot down a resolution against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Russia and China vetoed the anti-Assad measure despite a new wave of violence in Syria, including a massacre in the city of Homs in which hundreds reportedly were killed. The disappointing weekend session has left the United States and other countries mulling their options to prevent the bloodshed from spreading further.

The State Department said Thursday that its top Mideast envoy, Jeffrey Feltman, has been dispatched to Morocco, France and Bahrain to help put the "friends" meeting together and determine the group's membership and mandate.

Arab League foreign ministers are due to meet Sunday in Cairo and could announce a date and venue for the meeting after that.

"Responsibility for the bloodshed is at the feet of Assad and his regime. And they are the ones who are keeping it going," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Thursday. "We want to help the people of Syria have a peaceful alternative, a peaceful way through this, and for Assad to understand that not only does the violence need to end, but that he's lost his right to govern his country, from our perspective."

She said the double veto by Russia and China has "compelled" other nations to work outside of the United Nations.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/09/us-working-around-united-nations-to-organize-friends-syria-meeting/#ixzz1lwTUowfL

Why is this such an area of focus for this administration? Are they trying to keep attention on this so that no one pays attention to what's going on in Iran? We have no business getting involved in the civil war of another country, especially one where we have zero interests. The Russians can deal with it, they have more to lose than we do if the new regime is unfriendly toward them.

Conley
02-09-2012, 09:36 PM
I'd also add that our meddling in the affairs of Syria has done us no favors when asking the Russians for help with the much larger problem of Iran. I question antagonizing an enemy over something so irrelevant.

MMC
02-09-2012, 10:58 PM
The Viable strategy is to take out Syria so that they do not have to fight a War on 2 or 3 fronts. Removing Syria as a threat leaves Iran standing alone in the region. Although, i do not think our people counted on Iraq becoming involved. As they will be the only other Shia in Control of a Country and Government.

Conley
02-09-2012, 11:01 PM
The Viable strategy is to take out Syria so that they do not have to fight a War on 2 or 3 fronts. Removing Syria as a threat leaves Iran standing alone in the region. Although, i do not think our people counted on Iraq becoming involved. As they will be the only other Shia in Control of a Country and Government.

We can't take out Syria though, and Syria is busy dealing with their own issues. They're in no position to aid Iran.

MMC
02-09-2012, 11:46 PM
We can't take out Syria though, and Syria is busy dealing with their own issues. They're in no position to aid Iran.

Syria's defenses present problems.....and you are right. We can't take them out with the Russians protecting them. Not unless you want to get into something far more consequential.

Conley
02-10-2012, 12:02 AM
Syria's defenses present problems.....and you are right. We can't take them out with the Russians protecting them. Not unless you want to get into something far more consequential.

Syria's defenses...Can't we just go around them?

MMC
02-10-2012, 12:12 AM
Yeah I guess we could.....but anything within a missile defense system can still take out those that are outside Syrias borders. Plus just think if the Sunni can take Syria. Then there could be direct flights out of Syria. Let alone coming thru the Saudis.

Conley
02-10-2012, 12:34 AM
Yeah I guess we could.....but anything within a missile defense system can still take out those that are outside Syrias borders. Plus just think if the Sunni can take Syria. Then there could be direct flights out of Syria. Let alone coming thru the Saudis.

I just don't think those Syrian defenses are very good. Of course it depends what the Russians are supplying them with. Why would Syria even start anything with us when they already have so much to deal with. It wouldn't make the Russians happy either.

MMC
02-10-2012, 12:54 AM
I just don't think those Syrian defenses are very good. Of course it depends what the Russians are supplying them with. Why would Syria even start anything with us when they already have so much to deal with. It wouldn't make the Russians happy either.

Well.....I am going on the Premise of Iranian action first.....as we already can take face value that the Syrians will not make any major offensive moves outside of their own country. How many Sunni RI will halt all action with Assad if Israel jumps? How many Rebels intentions changes focus then?

I think their Russians Sams are quite capable of knocking shit out of the sky.

Conley
02-10-2012, 12:57 AM
Well.....I am going on the Premise of Iranian action first.....as we already can take face value that the Syrians will not make any major offensive moves outside of their own country. How many Sunni RI will halt all action with Assad if Israel jumps? How many Rebels intentions changes focus then?

I think their Russians Sams are quite capable of knocking shit out of the sky.

They have modern SAMs? I need a McCaffrey powerpoint presentation to tell me their current armaments. We sure as heck have sold the latest and greatest to Saudi Arabia and Iraq (to say nothing of Israel) so I guess it wouldn't be surprising, but Syria doesn't have the money those countries do either.

MMC
02-10-2012, 01:14 AM
They have modern SAMs? I need a McCaffrey powerpoint presentation to tell me their current armaments. We sure as heck have sold the latest and greatest to Saudi Arabia and Iraq (to say nothing of Israel) so I guess it wouldn't be surprising, but Syria doesn't have the money those countries do either.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Pantsir-s1-weapons.jpg/200px-Pantsir-s1-weapons.jpg








Syria for the few past years has reached out to Russia to obtain modern weapons that included many modern anti-tank and anti-air missile systems that will further improve its combat capabilities. In early September, 2008 The Syrian Government is in line with Russia (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Russia) to purchase MiG-29SMT (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/MiG-29SMT) fighters, Pantsir S1E air-defense systems (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Pantsir-S1), Iskander tactical missile systems (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Iskander), Yak-130 (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Yakovlev_Yak-130) aircraft, and two Amur-1650 (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Amur_class) submarines. Russia's foreign minister said his country's sale of weapons to Syria won't upset the balance of power in the Middle East. The sales are "in line with the international law" and "in the interests of strengthening stability and maintaining security" in regions close to Russian borders, Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to the United Nations in New York. Also Russia plans to turn a Soviet-era navy site (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Tartus#Russian_naval_base) in the Syrian port of Tartus (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Tartus) into a permanent naval base, RIA Novosti reported, adding that 10 Russian warships are deployed there now while Russia expands the port. Israel (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Israel) and the United States (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/United_States) have said they oppose further arms sales to Syria because the weapons could fall under the control of Iran (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Iran) or Hezbollah (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Hezbollah) fighters in Lebanon (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Lebanon).....snip~

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Syria

MMC
02-10-2012, 01:16 AM
1.8 Billion.....3.5% of GDP.

MMC
02-10-2012, 01:24 AM
http://geopoliticalmonitor.com/dyn/images/1/653.jpg

Essentially a point-defense system, each Pantsyr-S1 platform carries twelve surface-to-air missiles with ranges between roughly seven and 13 miles as well as twin 30mm cannons (depending on the variant). The system reportedly is offered for export mounted on either a truck or an armored chassis, or as a fixed installation, and some versions have more robust radar and targeting capabilities than others. The missiles supposedly also have a secondary anti-armor capability.
Syrian concern over its air defenses is well-founded. Russian technicians reportedly have helped implement some upgrades following the Syrian air-defense network's near-total failure to react to an Israeli airstrike in eastern Syria on Sept. 6, 2007. At the moment, the Levant is filled with rumors of war, as it appears that Israel may be maneuvering for another battle with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Much is unclear, but Syria is likely to be very much caught in the crossfire of the potential conflict.....snip~

http://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/syria-gets-russian-air-defense-system-595/


It's not enough on their own.....Course with the Russians turning their port into a base. Stationing 10 naval Ships there. I believe they were some new additions.

Conley
02-10-2012, 01:45 AM
Yes, I have read about Tartus. Good intel, thanks for sharing.

MMC
02-10-2012, 02:28 AM
Those are only some of the ones we know of. I am sure they have some medium range as well now. Which none of this counts any Stingers or RPGS.

IMO I think a Sunni Governemt gives the West a better vantage point in making that move on Iran.

We also have the thread Up that Turkey was Meeting with NATO, Brits and French over some border issues on Turkeys side. Everyone keeps saying they do not want Military action or to go into Syria. Yet we keep amping up the Pressure as Obama Said Assad must step-down. Why if their Military is not a threat? What would the Russians do other than protect their own tech and declare their base off limits.
Both Clinton and Rice in the UN have now led the vocal charge. While the French and the Brits meets with the Sunni Rebels. Also with the French filing petitions in the UN.

This was despite the Moves made by the Russians and during all votes. While awaiting the Arab League's Assessment. The Sunni Activists/Rebels/Free Syrian Army continued their attacks on Assad's Forces. While the Arab League was in Syria. So Assad continued his attacks. They are not just going to lay down and die.

Also we have the Rebels saying they will not stop until Assad steps down. Meeting with Sovereign Governments of other Countries. Recieving arms and have a base set up in Turkey. Although moreso a Command Post.

RollingWave
02-10-2012, 02:42 AM
Flipping the situation in the mid east in religious war context is about the worst thing that could possibly happen to the US. They should and must avoid that context at all cost.

MMC
02-10-2012, 08:35 AM
Flipping the situation in the mid east in religious war context is about the worst thing that could possibly happen to the US. They should and must avoid that context at all cost.

What do you mean by flipping the situation RW? I am not quite following you on the religious war context.