Getting rid of those chemical weapons in Syria was a good idea. But, I would expect Great Britain to take stock of what is occurring with it's young men and actually raise concerns about the safety of others. I am curious about what a unilateral elevation in the terror alert means to NATO.
Syria's population when left undisturbed is about 22 million, so the refugees are 13% of the people. That is significant when measuring the effects on this change in regime and it's purpose in taking power. That is now what is occurring in Syria. The Assad regime is losing their battle, but, that has been happening for three years now. The loses reflect a governing body that cannot reconstitute it's power.
I am not taking sides, but, it has always been curious that Assad as an Alawite was able to hold onto power for such a long time. His father before he. They are minorities in Syria. The Sunnis decided they wanted a different leadership that could not be achieved in elections. It is a civil war.
Containment is still the only viable solution while people pour out of the country for their own safety. They should not wait to move out of a war zone that quite possibly could lead to an unknown government with completely inhumane directives once in majority control of the land.
I don't see diplomatic relations with any change in government in Syria anytime soon.
This is the time for region to take account of what is occurring and measuring their response. For some their response may already be in place, for others the concern is probably heightened. At any rate, there is a new kid on the block and the strength of the containment of it's influence should be paramount followed by any potential to cause harm to their countries while the new regime builds it's expertise in governing and moving into yet unrealized power.
Basically, is this just a civil war OR is it more? The current ambitions of the burgeoning regime and it's effects crossing into land traditionally Iraq states it's intentions fairly clearly. The West among others have to find allies once again and build on the strengthening of those allies. My first thoughts are the Kurds and backing a strong provincial government while extending it's reach across Syrian borders to end any attempts by IS/IS/L to cross into their nation of people again.
But, I am putting the horse before the cart. Of vise versa. Not sure yet exactly which direction the horse is leaning. Assad is still in power for all we know and capable of pushing back in it's civil war. OR. Not? Which brings to the forefront the idea Russia ain't all that. If I can venture a guess after looking at some Russian training videos, the Russian ground troops are lacking. The only real strength in Russia's response is tanks and bombs and of course the ultimate bomb. I mean with Russian subs in the waters (They are still there right?) at the ports in Syria I would expect a better response UNLESS Russia figures, "Ah, the USA will take care of it."
"W"rong.
Right now, this very minute, if I were a nation relying on Russia as an ally I'd have second thoughts. Hellllooooooo, China and it's friendship pact of 2000.
But, my imagination runs away with me. I am confident IS/IS/L is even a greater threat than the USSR, oh sorry Russia could ever be in alliance with China and half the indigenous countries of the world. Indigenous people may find China's consumerism a step up, but, everything else might be questionable.
Sorry. There are dead people, but, I lack imagination to deliver my message differently. It must be my mother's fault.
August 29, 2014
By Stephanie Nebehay
By Stephanie Nebehay
(Reuters) - Three million Syrian refugees (click here) will have registered in neighboring countries as of Friday, but many remain trapped by the advance of Islamist militants or are having difficulty in reaching open border crossings, the United Nations said.
Syrians desperate to leave their war-engulfed homeland are forced to pay hefty bribes at armed checkpoints proliferating along Syria's borders, or to smugglers, the U.N. refugee agency said.
The record figure is one million refugees more than a year ago, while a further 6.5 million are displaced within Syria, meaning that "almost half of all Syrians have now been forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives," it said....
