Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
So, what do you do with this? US softens its criticism of Syria:
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declared last week that Assad's government had "lost legitimacy," diplomatic language that implied a break with the government in Damascus. Analysts said they expected the White House to demand Assad's ouster, as it did earlier this year with Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi and former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
But Clinton backed off on Saturday, saying the administration still hopes that Assad's regime will stop the violence and work with protesters to carry out political reforms. On Monday, European Union ministers also called on Assad to implement reforms and made it clear they still hoped he would do so.
So: Here's my take. Assad's thugs attack the US Embassy, we respond by saying "Ouch!" and then softening our rhetoric. Meanwhile, Assad would appear to have spent the weekend meeting the call for reform by shooting into crowds of protesters, as is his wont:
A witness in the Roukn Eddine district of Damascus reported that two people died there and dozens were injured when security forces opened fire. Barrages of gunfire could be heard continuing into Friday evening, the witness said.
There were conflicting versions of events in the central city of Homs, where activist accounts said that at least 15 people were injured when security forces fired on demonstrators. Amateur video purportedly filmed Friday in the Inshaat district showed a couple of men running from a barrage of what sounded like gunfire while plumes of black smoke rose in the air behind them.
If I thought our policy could really be as muddled and stupid as it looks, I'd go mad, so what if I interpret this the Middle Eastern way? You know, as a mental-hygiene measure? Let's try it: Our policy here is the expression of an infinitely subtle, diabolical and cunning plot to advance US strategic interests.
Yes, I'll sleep better if I believe this. So that's my take.
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Jul '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
I don't get it either Claire. If the Russian, Kosovar, South African, Pakistani, or Saudi Arabian governments were pulling this I might understand the muddled messaging.
But Syria? Syria? Shouldn't we be condemning Syria just because that's what we do on Tuesday nights?
I'm pretty sure Assad has earned that.
Aug '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
Does anyone think that Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State has actually increased her stature, in the public's eyes? Are most people paying any attention to what she says and does? Is it possible that anyone but a knee-jerk liberal actually thinks she's a good Secretary of State?
Jun '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
Sleep well. I hear that Dr. Evil is the new undersecretary of state for Syrian affairs.
Dec '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
You will sleep better if you also have that take, regarding this. OK, that's not fair, you probably won't.
I just had a discussion with Eldest Boy, trying to convince him that some people are honestly trying to improve the world we are going to hand over. And I may have fibbed a bit, because I know that Clinton is clueless and Obama is worse. However, what else can you say to a kid and still try to maintain their respect for government and their own parents?
Apr '11
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
It is impossible to comprehend Obama's Syria policy. In Egypt, we had a moderate, pro-american tyrant and we demanded his resignation almost as soon as protests began. (Correctly) In Libya, we had a formerly-anti-American tyrant and when he started shooting protesters, we reluctantly joined a coalition to dethrown him -- yet carefully "leading from the back." And he still defies us, a very bad message.
And in Syria, we have the best case of all for supporting a popular revolution against a brutal, terror-supporting dictatorship (and Iran's best friend in the Arab world), and we do NOTHING? Obama must have no comception whatever of America's national interests in the Middle East. Or he is as dumb as a bag of hammers.
Feb '11
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
The purpose of this policy, and others like it, is simple. It is to reinforce, in the minds of Obama, Clinton, et al, their belief in their own brilliance and their ability to operate at a level of subtlety and complexity far above lesser individuals.
Aug '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
What is the latest pay grade for hired snipers ?
Cutthroat bastards is about as nice a thing that I can think of.
We're only good at stamping out evil, we have no clue as to what they are thinking. Obviously.
Edited on Jul 19, 2011 at 7:48pmJul '11
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
Progressive ideologues are not well suited for addressing Muslim despots, or really much of anything beyond the realm of wealth redistribution.
Jul '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
They are properly chastened. Please don't attack us again nice Mr. Assad, sir. May we stir your cappuccino? We brought you a nice DVD collection of American movies.
Given that populism in Egypt turns out to mean executing apostates, shelling churches, shooting Christians, and threatening to attack Israel, maybe they are subtly thinking that a few dead populists is no longer such a big thing. I'm sure someone will get around to briefing them on Syria's Iran connection before Obama's term is over.
Apr '11
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
Could Turkey Abandon The Resistance Bloc?
By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
"Since the AKP ("Justice and Development Party") first came to power in 2002, Turkey has increasingly turned its back on the West and Israel, forging much closer ties and aligning its interests vis-à-vis the Middle East with Iran and Syria. Such an alliance entailed, for example, a request for Israeli forces not to participate in the annual "Anatolian Eagle" military exercises, the formation of the "Turkey-Syria High Level Strategic Cooperation Council," and support for Iran's nuclear program.
Accordingly, these events have given rise to what has been termed the "resistance" bloc in the Middle Eastern Cold War, as opposed to the "status-quo" bloc led chiefly by Saudi Arabia. Could Turkey leave the resistance bloc in the present circumstances?
Two recent developments seem to point in the affirmative direction."
http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/07/could_turkey_abandon_the_resistance_bloc.html
Oct '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
Obama's foreign policy seems to be: take a hard line stance against strong U.S. allies, take a soft stance against hard line U.S. enemies.
Or, put another way, U.S. foreign policy has historically been wrong; therefore, implement the Bizarro World* foreign policy.
*In the D.C. Comics' Bizarro world of "Htrae" ("Earth" spelled backwards), society is ruled by the Bizarro Code which states "Us do opposite of all Earthly things!"
Edited on Jul 20, 2011 at 5:57amJan '11
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
David, I'm afraid they don't need any reinforcement for that belief.
Jun '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
Claire, you forgot to mention international bankers! Sheesh. I gotta do everything around here.
Dec '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
What's so muddled and stupid? Obama blew all of his "we'll help democratic movements" cred on the Libya debacle. What's he going to do, tell the Syrians that the US or NATO will actually lift a finger to protect them from their bloodthirsty dictator? From the perspective of a completely powerless and gutless American Administration, the only thing muddled is Hillary occasionally speaking out loud what everyone knows about Assad's true nature, rather than keeping to the official Obama line that surely everything in Syria will work itself out in time.
Aug '10
Re: Maybe Our Policy Toward Syria is Just Infinitely Subtle?
Margaret Ball
David, I'm afraid they don't need any reinforcement for that belief.
Oh, I think they do. That's the central motivation for most leftists: the psychological need to feel like they're part of an enlightened elite, and to enjoy the frisson of smug superiority over the boobs and ignoramuses who surround them. No matter how smart or how successful they are, this need is insatiable, and requires constant care and feeding. That's why they are such suckers for every new rebellion against the status quo that comes along.