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Subscribe to RSSNBC's Andrea Mitchell reports that the U.S. will announce Thursday that the US plans to provide aid directly to a select group of Syrian rebels.
In a policy shift, the United States on Thursday will announce plans to channel aid directly to selected groups of the Syrian opposition rather than through non-governmental agencies, senior White House officials told NBC News.
The aid plan, being forged with European allies, will still not include weapons, despite the calls of a growing number of American senators — but the definition of "non-lethal" aid will be more broadly defined, the officials said, noting that details of the plan were still being finalized.
Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in Paris on his first foreign trip in his new position, said earlier that Washington is looking for new ways to help rebels fighting the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad and speed up political transition in the country.
"We are examining and developing ways to accelerate the transition the Syrian people seek and deserve," Kerry said during a news conference with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
The Washington Post has reported that the administration was planning to start sending non-lethal equipment like body armor and armed vehicles to Assad's foes.
Among the items likely to be included in the direct aid to rebels are meals and medical kits, The Associated Press reported.
Kerry was expected to announce the new contributions at the Rome conference, in addition to tens of millions of dollars intended for rule of law and governance programs.
For its part, the Syrian opposition is planning to demand "qualitative military support" at talks with major powers in Rome this week, a leading figure in movement to oust Assad told Reuters on Wednesday.
"We ask our friends to give us every backing to achieve gains on the ground and help reach a political solution from a position of strength, not weakness," said Riad Seif of the Syrian National Coalition umbrella group said a day before a Friends of Syria conference in the Italian capital.
"We expect to receive political, humanitarian and qualitative military support,” he said.
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Secretary of State John Kerry, left, shakes hands after a news conference with French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius at the Foreign Ministry in Paris on Wednesday.
The Friends of Syria group is composed mainly of Western powers, Gulf Arab states opposed to the Iranian-backed Assad, and Turkey.
The West and Syria's neighbors have been looking for a solution to the two-year-old civil war in Syria that has claimed around 70,000 lives and sent 860,000 refugees fleeing abroad. The conflict pitting the largely Sunni rebels against the Alawite-dominated Assad government threatens to destabilize countries in the region, most notably Lebanon.
In Paris, Kerry said the United States wanted the Syrian opposition's advice on how to accelerate a political solution to help halt the bloodshed and protect the interests of the Syrian people.
"We want (the Syrian opposition's) advice on how we can accelerate the prospects of a political solution because that is what we believe is the best path to peace, the best way to protect the interest of the Syrian people," he said ahead of meetings with the opposition on Thursday.
"As I have said, that may require us to change President al-Assad's current calculation. He needs to know that he can't shoot his way out of this. So we need to convince him of that and I think the opposition needs more help in order to be able to do that. And we are working together to have a united position," Kerry added.
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A look back at the conflict that has overtaken the country.
But Iraq's prime minister warned that a victory for the rebels in Syria would create new problems, by creating a haven for extremists and worsening sectarian tensions in the Middle East.
In an interview with the AP, Nouri al-Maliki stopped shy of expressing support for the Assad regime.
The prime minister's remarks reflect fears by many Shiite Muslims in Iraq and elsewhere that Sunni Muslims would come to dominate Syria should Assad be toppled.
"If the world does not agree to support a peaceful solution through dialogue ... then I see no light at the end of the tunnel," al-Maliki said.
"Neither the opposition nor the regime can finish each other off," he continued. "The most dangerous thing in this process is that if the opposition is victorious, there will be a civil war in Lebanon, divisions in Jordan and a sectarian war in Iraq."
As the bloody Syrian conflict wears on, there is a growing number of U.S. legislators urging greater action, including some type of military support for the rebels.
Sen. Roger Wicker, a member of the Armed Services Committee, appearing on NBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports on Wednesday.
During his first overseas trip as secretary of state, John Kerry hinted at a policy shift saying that Syrian opposition isn't going to be 'dangling in the wind wondering where the support is.' NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
"I hope our new secretary of state will listen carefully to the more responsible of the Syrian opposition," said Wicker, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Asked if that meant the United States should provide weapons, he said: "I think there are ways and means for us to see that is done. I think Secretary of State Kerry is going to be listening to those proposals, and I think if he does what he's being told at the highest levels of the Pentagon, we may be moving, yes, to military aid for the responsible opposition groups."
He agreed that there is a risk to those weapons falling into the hands of radical extremists infiltrating the opposition movement, but said.
"There's no question it's a concern, but this has gone on too long. The Assad regime needs to fall."
Andrea Mitchell is NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent. Catherine Chomiak is an NBC News producer. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related:
Huge blast rocks central Damascus as Assad hints at talks
In initial coup for Kerry, Syria's opposition to attend Rome meeting
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This is a continuation of the attack on Iran. The US has no business in causing regime change in Syria. Blowback is guaranteed.
Sequester all US foreign aid... no furloughs for US workers! We take care of our country first!
A political solution is possible in Syria only with the departure of Assad.
This article, just a short mouse click away from the Bradley Manning article, claims that the 'opposition' are the peace-loving good guys though they consist heavily of foreign al-qaida. And Bradley Manning is "aiding the enemy"? Welcome to upside down town.
(1) Of course the "rebels" want anyone to help them.
(2) Of course the outcome will "protect the interest of the Syrian people".
1. Sounds like Egyptian Spring II.
2. The outcome will probably be the same as Egypt and the result was NOT PEACE. A "Democratic Vote" headed by the Syrian National Coalition will more than likely result in another Muslim Brotherhood or terrorist run country. Wait a minute.....the Egyptian "Rebels" had a similiar "Coalitiion".
Watch out Syrians, you may become serviants to a worse regime.
Nice to see that our government now "sort of " admits to openly supporting al Qaeda's takeover of Syria.
Nailed it. And, want to take a wild a$$ed guess WHO's going to get stuck with dealing with the fallout from THAT mess after Assad leaves? Uncle Bytchboy, that's who.
These repeat misjudgements and missteps by the US foreign policy is nothing short of stupid. We have allowed Iran to become a theocratic dictatorship under carter, same happened a year ago in Egypt and now.... Syria. If these US friendly to US enemy support for regime changes are not intentional, then they are plain stupid.
Not to harp the republican chord , since I'm not really republican OR an American, but it has alot more to do with the fact that the geopolitical situation in the mideast was already @ a tipping point and has been for about 40 or so years... These sort of flareup conflicts have existed for thousands of years. They actually pre-date written history. This would be happening eventually whether the U.S. had a hand in it or not. Saudi oil $ is paying for U.S. 'muscle' because the saudi's are sunni and the iranians are shiite. The sunni want to take power from Iran and will do whatever it takes to accomplish that. The syrians are Iran's most powerful ally in the region. The SAA can match or exceed the fighting capability of most other arab nations.
The Americans are paying off debts with both cash and oil. But for that to happen, a little cheyneyism is in order. They need a nice big conflict of somebody else's doing, so they can build and sell weapons that will help create the profit necessary to bring back the economy. This sort of ideology has been the capitalist mainstay since the end of the second world war. The bigger the war, the better the outcome. And since muslims have been waging a permanent jihad against themselves since the inception of their religion basically, the communist 'enemy' that existed in the 50's and 60's was replaced by the uncommon ( extremist jihadi type ) muslim. The Soviets were in on it too. They seeded afghanistan when they invaded it to 'save their russian-muslim brothers'.
I am not for or against any of that , I can't decide WHERE I stand. Quite simply because the Americans are actually keeping themselves, and most of the now capitalistic world, afloat. They are the reserve curreny which cannot break lest all economies should fall. They are the strongest and most dangerous military on earth. And worst of all, if they are not successful in their plan to install american nationalist ties into the neo middle east as it is being built, they will create the most volatile pattern of self destruction they have ever lay witness to.
You think Iraq and Afghanistan hurt the economy? Just watch what might happen next.
"Ammo" (non-lethal aid) of most weapons is non-lethal, only lethal if loaded into a weapon. Easy way to say no weapons involved.
They can just underwrite weapons contracts to Saudi Arabia if they want to... If they sell the weapons to the Saudis , the Saudis can turn around and re-sell them ( or just hand them over ) to the rebels.. Though you'd still have the inevitable M16's and stingers which undoubtedly make America culprit.. Just not directly supplied to them by the administration, which still works on paper.
Good idea! We are 2 days away from massive austerity and here we are wasting money. This is why America has a massive debt not because of taking care of the elderly and the poor. Sequestration needs to include all foreign aid.
Assad responded by loading chemical weapons.
By armed vehicles I guess they mean armored vehicles.
Sloppy writing.
Barack will back the Sunni play in every country he deals with.
Iran has a good reason to fear Barack.
And so do we all..
Some times you have to look at what will come back and bite us in the a$$.. Expect Iran to fund a few terror squads and slip them over the Mexican border to play boom boom.. Of course this will be the governments excuse to put on a desert storm III and blow another trillion bucks.. Comrade Obama wants to give weapons to these volatile extremists but in the same breath he fears the American citizens so much he has waged a war on the second amendment..
IT IS ABOUT TIME
THE WORLD HAS TO STAND UP TO THE TYRANT ASSAD WHO IS KILLING
HIS OWN CITIZENS
Unbelievable!!!!!!! Our elected representatives are a bunch of a$$ holes! They want everyone else in this country to take some sort of a cut except them. Now they want to take money we don't have and help a bunch of a$$ holes who hate us anyway and as soon as they achieve their goal, will turn on us. Maybe we should send all politicians on Capitol Hill to the Middle East permanently, after all the entire area is a cesspool including Isreal and what better place is there for a bunch of a$$ holes?
The U.S. under NO CIRCUMSTANCES supply weapons to ANY of the groups in Syria. The rebels (activist) started the Civil War and are now complaining that they are loosing and are demanding aid. The only problem is that ALL THE REBEL GROUPS are Terrorist organizations that have attacked and killed Americans. O'Bama is just trying to deflect the U.S. Voter away from their knowledge that he is now and has always been a failure as President. THE U.S. HAS NO BUSINESS IN THE INTERNAL CIVIL WAR IN SYRIA. IF THE SYRIAN REGIME GETS AID FROM RUSSIA AND IRAN, WILL THE U.S. ATTACK RUSSIA AND/OR IRAN?? NO,O'BAMA WILL BLAME SOMEONE ELSE FOR HIS DECISION TO ARM THE SYRIAN TERRORIST GROUPS. Push the Syrian Government into a corner, and as they have stated in the past, and any foreign intervention to aid the rebel terrorist will result in the use a Chemical Weapons. It will be the fault of U.S. and nations that armed the rebels when chemical weapons are used. When armed civilians go after O'Bama, will he use chemical weapons to save his Socialist Dictatorial Administration?
Hello
Aren't the rebels linked to Al Qaeda and the regime linked to Iran? Sounds like a lose lose situation to me.
This is the Oboza the clowns foreign policy a total and complete joke
Oh that's Obozo the Clown
No more aid to foreign countries! They don't help us. And maybe they don't want our help outside of fluffing their own personal piggy banks.
""We are examining and developing ways to accelerate the transition the Syrian people seek and deserve," Kerry said during a news conference with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius."
John Kerry is going to add one more enemy and mess as in Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and more!
In future, it will be worse than Benghazi!
This is a BIG F**KING MISTAKE.
After President Obama's Failed Foreign Policies lost: US And US Allies Strategic Resources required for the Current US And US Allies Standard of Living and Future Alternative Energy; US And US Allies Losses of Strategic Locations Worldwide; US And US Allies Losses of Key and Strategic US Allies Worldwide; it is basically a lost cause as the Chinese, Russian Federation and Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran are building up their 21st Century Military Forces to protect all their Gains from the US And US Allies Losses.
After President Obama stated his US Foreign Policy the Ayatollahs of Iran increased their Overt and Covert Activities against the US and US Allies. US and US Allies kicked out of Iraq. US And US Allies kicked out of Pakistan, the required US Military Logistics Support Bases required to support the United Nation's Mission at Landlocked Afghanistan, without these the UN, US, NATO, etc. Military Forces must abandon US Ally Afghanistan by 2014. US Allies, President Mubarak Overthrown, President Saleh Overthrown, President Gaddaffi Overthrown, etc.. The Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran gains Strategic Locations to attack US Ally Israel, Mediterranean Ports (to attack the "Crusaders" US European Allies). The Allies of the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran, the Chinese and Russian Federation get the Resources (Iraqis Oil, Libyan Oil, etc.), Iran gets the Uranium sources at Africa. Chinese get the Mineral Wealth of Afghanistan.
One of the biggest factors it that after President Obama stated his US Foriegn Policies, the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran's Special Forces, Quds, increased their training, arming, and funding of the Millions of Holy Warriors of Islam at the Fundamentalist Islamic Autonomous Kurdistanis Region of Northern Iraq, Syria, Southern Turkey, and Northwestern Iran. These "Syrian Rebels" are Al Quada Syria (AQS), Al Quada Iraq (AQI), the Kurdistanis PKK, HPG, KGK, etc.. As just like what they did at Egypt attacking US Ally Libya, then going back to Egypt as a Safe Haven, so now they are going back to US Ally Turkey "Safe Havens" as well as Northern Iraq after attacking Syria.
david: As I am ignoring your Saudi paid and pied piper posts/rants, it will be waste of time worrying about likes of you.
Why should we continue to help people who have had no disire ever to help us. Will they offer their money, weapons and medical supplies to the US. When the US suffers national disasters do they send money and foreign aid to help those in trouble (maybe their families living on US soil but thats it). One day the US should stop serving the food and deliver the bill.
'bout time! Too many have died already.
Right, and how many non-Muslims and minorities are going to die after the terrorists...I mean rebels take over? The reason everyone jumps on the "Let's overthrow Assad" bandwagon is because they know absolutely ZERO about Syria. Go educate yourselves first, then decide if you really want to support the rebels who by all accounts will begin killing minority-Muslims and Christians the moment they take control.
Couldn't have said it any better jlynch... FSA is a terrorist organization aligned with AlQueda and now the US wants to support them. What happens when the extremist radicals take control of the country?... Sounds like the US is just setting up another war to fight in the future.
Muslims killing Muslims, what more can you ask for?
Where is your humanity ? That said, a no-fly zone might be a solution.
Uh huh.....yeah........helping Islamofascist thugs with a no fly zone, our weaponry and money is the "moral" and "right" thing to do. And after all, it IS the "smartest and safest" move for our "national security", right????? After all, what the Christ could POSSIBLY go wrong, RIGHT??????????
*eyes roll*
For a change nice to notice your concern on deaths in Syria.
What will be the fate of females, sane Muslims, minority sect/tribes like Shiites, Kurds and non-Muslims like Christians after Assad is overthrown?
Do some likes you start counting only when required?
There was rebellion of Shiites against the despotic and highly corrupt Sunni ruler of Bahrain.
Brave Sunni rulers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwaiti, UAE and other Arab League nations sent their forces and just quelled the Shiites rebellion in no time.
All of a sudden, these seventh century fountainheads of Sunni Islamic haters and killers, remembered “human rights violations” in Syria.
So the Sunni rulers of Arab League sent “human rights” group to Syria.
The head of the Saudi and their Arab League observers to Syria was a Sudanese Gen. The brave Gen was responsible for the genocides of at least 300000 Christians in Darfur!
Still House of Saud ruler and his 5000 princes and princesses and other Sunni rulers seventh century desert dances did not work.
Later they outsourced their dirty work to Turkey.
You see: Turkey is a strategic NATO ally and too much of Turkey’s seventh century Islamist Erdogan’s dances mean US, Britain and other NATO forces members have to pitch in.
What a way to outsource their dirty jobs to NATO forces just like Iraqi wars to save Kuwaiti, Saudi and other “oil rich” rulers!!!
WHAT A BUNCH OF JOKES WE HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR SOMETIME!!!!!
yeahbuhwha?, Phyllis Kunz,
Take your blinders off. Go read post #1.23.
What you are stating is supporting Al Quada Syria (AQY), Al Quada Iraq (AQI), the Fundamentalist Islamic Kurdistanis PKK, HPG, KGK, etc. to Overthrow a Established Government Ally of the Russian Federation (you honestly believe that the Russian Federation will do nothing, and lose their Strategic Mediterranean Port at Tartus, Syria).
Just like the no or low education, low information US Citizens supporting President Obama's support of the "Libyan Rebels" of Al Quada Saudi Arabia (AQ), Al Quada Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al Quada Syria (AQS), Al Quada Yemen (AQY), Hezbollah, Al Quada Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), etc. that went to Libya to murder US Ally President Gaddaffi the Collaborator to the Christians, Jews, Unbelievers as "Collaborators Die a Horrible Murdering to Dwell In That Firey Place". They became Ansar Al Shariah to instate Sharia Laws at Libya, seize the Libyan Military Depots (decades of weapons, ammunition, military equipment, etc.) to attack the rest of Africa (Algeria, Mali, etc.).
The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group that was previously killing US Military at Iraq, became the Government of Libya as recognized by President Obama.
President Obama during the Reelection Campaign Inflamed the Islamic World of over 1.5 Billion Islamic Believers to Violent Demonstrations and Protests with his, "Osama Bin Laden is Dead, GM is Alive". The Islamic Believers respond with, "Obama Obama, We Are All Osama", "Obama Declared War Against Islam".
In response Ansar Al Shariah at Benghazi starts planning the attack of the US Consulate Benghazi to coincide with the Greatest Defeat of the Great Satan, 9/11 2001 Attacks, by their Holy Warrior of Islam Superstar Osama Bin Laden.
General Ham, US Military Commander US AFRICOM, of Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified Protector, volunteered his US Military Forces less than 2 hours away by slow propeller driven C-130s or US Military Helicopters to rescue the US Citizens during the over 7 hour attack. President Obama states "Low US Presence at Libya", and only an unarmed RQ (aka "Drone", that flys slower than a C-130 is sent), instead of MQs (armed "Drones" used during Operation Odyssey Dawn) and or precision ground attack AC-130s (still fully armed from Operation Odyssey Dawn). After the Attack of the US Consulate at Benghazi, General Ham is too outspoken (criticism of inactions of President Obama as Commander In Chief), President Obama demands General Ham's Letter of Resignation.
Jonathan-1982062,
There you go once again. This is NOT about the Sunnis versus Shia thing.
This is about Fundamentalist Islam, the Majority of the over 1.5 Billion Islamic Believers Worldwide being Fundamentalist Islam after they killed off the minority of "Peaceful", "Moderate", "Liberal" Islamic Believers.
As the Millions of Fundamentalist Islamic Holy Warriors of Islam are NOT based on Nation of Origin but determined by their Actions.
You keep telling (Misinforming, or outright Taqiya) everyone to attack US Allies.
And you know darn well that the Fundamentalist Islamic Arab League of Nations is NOT Sunnis controlled and was Co Founded by Fundamentalist Islamic Amin Al Husseini.
Example: Fundamentalist Islamic Believer Osama Bin Laden starts his Fundamentalist Islamic Al Quada at Saudi Arabia to Overthrow US Ally Saudi Arabia. In retaliation for President Clinton's 1998 Operation Desert Fox, Osama Bin Laden starts planning his 9/11 2001 Attacks of the same targets of his 1993 First World Trade Center Bombings.
How about I do what you are doing, copying and pasting your Taqiya (misinformation) all over Newsvine everytime you do that.
It's a bit late for Kerry to sweep in on his swift camel. Lurch looks like the South end of a camel walking North this is likely to cause confusion and get him shot at by both sides.
"We expect to receive political, humanitarian and qualitative military support,” he (Riad Seif of the Syrian National Coalition) said.
These very Sunni Islamic rebels have oil rich Sunni rulers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and others killer gangs like al Qaida, MB, Salaffi backing them.
Why can't oil rich Sunni rulers and sheikhs give humanitarian, economic and military support to their Sunni pals?
These oil rich Sunni rulers have monies to fund their hating and killer training extremist Salaffi and Wahhabi mosques all over the world.
But when it comes to doing some good work to Muslims in need, these very people are no where to be found.
Jonathan-1982062,
There you go once again. This is NOT about the Sunnis versus Shia thing.
This is about Fundamentalist Islam, the Majority of the over 1.5 Billion Islamic Believers Worldwide being Fundamentalist Islam after they killed off the minority of "Peaceful", "Moderate", "Liberal" Islamic Believers.
As the Millions of Fundamentalist Islamic Holy Warriors of Islam are NOT based on Nation of Origin but determined by their Actions.
You keep telling (Misinforming, or outright Taqiya) everyone to attack US Allies.
And you know darn well that the Fundamentalist Islamic Arab League of Nations is NOT Sunnis controlled and was Co Founded by Fundamentalist Islamic Amin Al Husseini.
Example: Fundamentalist Islamic Believer Osama Bin Laden starts his Fundamentalist Islamic Al Quada at Saudi Arabia to Overthrow US Ally Saudi Arabia. In retaliation for President Clinton's 1998 Operation Desert Fox, Osama Bin Laden starts planning his 9/11 2001 Attacks of the same targets of his 1993 First World Trade Center Bombings.
How about I do what you are doing, copying and pasting your Taqiya (misinformation) all over Newsvine everytime you do that.
just don't send them scary looking rifles that have plastic instead of wood. nobody could ever need those
Like M-16s?
Do you know why we do not use those (M-16s range trained 350 meters, maximum range 600 meters; M-4s range trained 250 meters) instead we use M-21s/M-25s (range optical telescope, 1,200 meters). Because the .223 caliber (5.56mm) was originally chosen to wound not kill, the .308 caliber (7.62mm) was chosen after WWII to kill. And most important the range of the AK-47s is 800 meters, SVD is 1,200 meters; so while you are running 450 meters (if you are smart you ditch your over 100 pound backpack) under fire from AK47s and SVDs just to get within M-16 range to return fire, your butt gets shredded by a RPG-7 (range 800 meters). Hint: If you ever were at Southern Turkey you know that terrain is Mountains. M-16s lack the range to fire from ridge to ridge. Prior to being deployed to Afghanistan again to conduct US Military Asymmetric Mountain Warfare (including technical mountain climbing during the near Arctic Afghan Winters) we trained with the US Ally Turkish Special Forces killing Kurdistanis PKK, HPG, KGK at Southern Turkey (Mountains, same mountain chain that goes to Afghanistan as the Pamir). Our "machineguns" are also 7.62mm, so that if push comes to shove we can use that ammunition in our individual 7.62mm M-21s/M-25s, as all ammunition we have is what we carried on our backs.
This will give you an idea (terrain of Southern Turkey):
Nefes 2009 (part 1):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN6gb1HWoW8
notice that they (Turkish Military) are using 7.62mm Rifles similar to Belgium FAL Rifles.
This is why when I watch those Science Fiction movies I laugh, because, think about going after some monster, zombies, etc. with a .22 caliber pellet gun.
The goal is to knock out Assad, who is a key ally of Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both sworn enemies of the US. Either unilaterally or in conjunction with NATO, declare Syria a no fly zone and knock out Assad's air assets. That should be enough to turn the tide in favor of the rebels. Of course anything that could threaten the aircraft enforcing the no fly one would be fair game - all air defense installations, and heavy armor formations in Syria. No boots on the ground needed.
Look son when you get a real job and pay taxes than talk about it. People in the USA are going to start losing their jobs very soon no matter what happens with the sequester because there is NO MORE MONEY. We had better start taking care of this country first. My masters is in international relations and have traveled over a million miles in just the last 10 years. I am not an isolationist. A good point was made above, there will be a slaughter when he does leave. Those nations in that part of the world were created by people that had invaded them, it will go back to klan against klan
you can either equip them with heavy weapons or impose a no fly zone, but you cant do both. You would end up with NATO aircraft bombing rebel positions because the rebels will fire SAM's ( which they have already acquired masses of @ this point from assad AA bases ) be they shoulder launched or vehicle towed, @ mentioned NATO aircraft... They don't have the organisation or communication skill to effectively avoid friendly fire incidents which would be common.
I say give them a controlled stockpile of heavy equipment including SAMS, light armored vehicles and a shipment of high grade small arms like .50 rifles, 40mm grenade launchers and sophisticated anti tank weapons like the Javelin... perhaps an abrams or 2 which would could be considered expendable losses if necessary...
That way it's kinda like 'nam before the gulf of tonkin. Weapons, equipment and a few boots on the ground, but not enough to cause the publicized outrage that came afterward.
In Libya the goal was to remove Gadhaffi. It ended up in most disgusting and damaging Benghazi attack.
"There's no question it's a concern, but this has gone on too long. The Assad regime needs to fall."
This was what Wicker, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, feels.
With too many Wickers, McCains, Hillarys, Kerrys, even God may not be able to save us from more losses from all sides, hatreds and humliations.
John Di-1111810,
Really, why don't you Declare War against Syria's Ally the Russian Federation also, then attack their Strategic Mediterrianean Russian Federation Naval Base at Tartus, Syria.
Go read posts# 1.23, and 2.7.
Definition of Insanity: Repeating the Same Mistakes and Expecting Different Results.
Go right ahead an demand the US Supports the Al Quada Syria (AQS), Al Quada Iraq (AQI), Kurdistanis PKK, HPG, KGK, and the many Holy Warriors of Islam from the Fundamentalist Islamic Autonomous Kurdistanis Region as the "Syrian Rebels".
When you "have skin in the game" (risk your own arse) then go ahead and give advise, like the US Military Asymmetric Warfare Forces (aka Special Warfare) at the Border of Syria.
Unclassified. Anytime you send US Military Aircraft someplace (your "No Fly Zones") there are US Military Asymmetric Warfare as "Boots on the Ground" to perform Aviator Rescue Missions. Why do you think US Army Special Forces LTC Wood was already at Libya February, it does NOT take that long to do a Security Evaluation of the US Embassy (Tripoli) and US Consulate (Benghazi).
Cameron-2749593,
You give the "Syrian Rebels" as the Kurdistanis PKK, HPG, KGK, Al Quada Syria (AQS), Al Quada Iraq (AQI), etc. those types of weapons; who do you believe that they will use those against (hint: for Decades the Kurdistanis PKK, KGK, HPG, have been fighting US Ally Turkey for the Southern half of Turkey to form the Nation of Kurdistan).
What the Kurdistan PKK, HPG, KGK want:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9yUAxKRjqU
Like the "Libyan Rebels" of Al Quada Saudi Arabia (AQ), Al Quada Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al Quada Syria (AQS), Al Quada Yemen (AQY), Hezbollah, Al Quada Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), etc. one of their Strategic Missions was to seize the (Libyan Military Weapons Storage Depot) Hight Razma facility on the eastern outskirts of Benghazi and a Libyan Military Weapons Storage Depot facility on the eastern outskirts of Ajdabiyah.The term "bunkers" is a misnomer as some of these "bunkers" were the size of warehouses. After the Libyan Military Guards were massacred at these Libyan Munitions Depots, the Facilities were left unguarded. This is how about 20,000 shoulder launched portable SA-7 anti aircraft missiles ended up "missing"; believed to be currently in the hands of Al Quada and the rest of the Islamic Terrorists (Jihadist, Worldwide Islamic Military), possible use shoot down US and US Ally Commercial Airlines (Aircraft) worldwide (after all the other publicly known failed attempts) to "Cripple the US Economy"; most US Military and US Ally Military Aircraft have detection and countermeasures (some are still shot down by SA-7s, mistaken for RPGs (similar warhead). ). Then Al Quada inciting the Foreign Workers brought into Libya to demand Libyan Citizens Rights and Entitlements.
http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/23/16660298-clinton-takes-responsibility-in-benghazi-attack-clashes-with-republicans?lite
And of course to marginalize the actual number of Holy Warriors of Islam as Millions, SOS Clinton stated "terrorists", and followed the President Obama Propaganda of "dictator Moammar Gadhafi" instead of US Ally President Moammar Gadhafi as previously negotiated by SOS Condeleezza Rice.
You tell me (from counting) how many there are here alone (Tunisia):
"Obama Obama We Are All Osama"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfaKSX3m7Tk
add to post#5.4
Here's a better link showing an overhead view. Keep counting.
Obama, Obama We Are All Osama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udSEcQbM308
forgot on post#5.5:
add to post#5.4
Here's a better link showing an overhead view. Keep counting, Cameron-2749593,
Obama, Obama We Are All Osama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udSEcQbM308
Note what it says (written) at the bottom of the big white banner hanging from the Tower, Ansar Ashariaa (Ansar Al Shariah) same people that President Obama supported as the "Libyan Rebels".
The black flags are the same that the "Libyan Rebels" used. Still trying to find a link showing the same black flags being used at Mali, Algeria, etc..
david: You can jump all around with your Saudi seventh century desert dresses.
But things have gone beyond control of likes of you.
Libya, Iraq, Mali, Nigeria, Palestinians and Afghanistan are some examples.
Kerry is proving himself to be an activist Secretary. We will find out soon enough whether this is good or bad.
It's a shame that in the 1860's there wasn't a country like the United States that was so willing to help the "southern rebels" and to protect them from their "northern aggressors", a 150 years ago being a rebel was a bad thing. Today it's a good thing if you don't care for the person in power. The United States shoud "stay out" and let the chips fall where they may, any assisted win by the rebels would be a false win.
Well... there was plenty of help for the "rebels" during the American war of independence. They just aren't called rebels because they won.
Uh.. Don't you think it's 65,000 deceased people women, children,and a decimated country to late?
screw you kerry, it's not our fight ! Have you learned nothing in the last 10 years you idiot ?
Just like back in the 70's & 80's when Uncle Sam helped out the Sandinistas, who tortured innocent people.
Actually we helped the Contras, I was on the border
helped the mujahideen too when they fought the commis. Then they became al qaeda, and had to be fought for a decade in iraq / afghanistan after 9/11... Now , it appears they are friendlies again so we're gonna mail them some more weapons. Full circle!
Kerry, let Syria alone. Bashar has turned the corner on the war, supported by Russia and Iran. Arming the rebels will just create more rubble, more deaths.
Thats kind of the point. Russia is in on it too. One big chess game. Everyone loses because we are all chess pieces. Only the people getting weapons contracts and cheap labor to rebuild the country @ a profit win.
Kerry is nothing but a US Citizen TRAITOR in my eyes!!!
I cannot count the times in my lifetime when we have intervened internationally and aside from the World Wars it has never helped us or them. If we really want to help the rebels we should get as far away as possible before they get accused of consorting with us. Then they can't be tried for being with us.
Yeah, that whole "Korea" situation didn't help us or the Koreans. We should've let Kim Il Sung take the whole peninsula - that way every modern Korean could know the love of their Dear Leader!
to make a comparison between Korea and Syria is stupid, they were all Koreans, these guys are christian, allawyites, Shia, Sunis, what have I missed. Read a book and anyway again THERE IS NO MORE MONEY
Koreans were divided half commi half capitalist. Last I checked commis and capitalists fought wars against each other...
But again, all part of the master plan, the plan that most of us are only a part of as slaves.
Knocking off Assad could be a mixed blessing. Iran will lose an ally but there is no guarantee the results won't look a lot like Egypt, with militant Islamists taking over.
Palestinians Exporting Terrorists to Syria
Where Next?
by Khaled Abu Toameh • February 27, 2013 at 5:00 am
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/
Ok so the dems and odumbo can stick their unwanted noses in this squabble but oh Bush was so wrong. Hypocrites. Pull everyone out of the Middle East. Within a couple years they will have killed each other in the name of their God and they will all be happy in heaven or wherever they go. Same thing with Africa. Why do we help those people and that country what can you ever possibly expect from that continent?
The reason so many voted for Ohbama was his statement or promise to bring all the troops home 6 months after I am elected.....What happened???? Still troops in Iraq, Afganistan still going on.....Interferring in Eygpt. bombing Lybia......now Syria....Troops sent to Turkey and Now Mali........
Send them some double barrel shotguns and tell them to fire in the air.
Myself and every other veteran i've spoken with who knows John Kerry fairly well knows he's a total amateur with no clue what he's doing. The rebels use suicide bombing, terrorism, and their own form of genocide, and are backed by Al-Qaeda. They are no better than Assad. They want to induce strict Sharia Law in Syria. If they win, the Iranians will court them as allies. The Iranaians are already courting the Egyptians and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt just after we gave them 1.5 billion $$ and a bunch of F-16's. So, now, we are supporting terrorists along with Al-Qaeda.
you may not like him but he bled for his country when every other person with any money hid out in college, national guard like bush, cheney, quayle etc. it wasn't like today.
How the hell did Kerry bleed for the US ???????????? Were are the Medals to prove it [ DM57 ]???/
Let them in the U.S like we did the Bosnians
Then Kerry needs to have his head examined. They are killing each other in large numbers, it is in the best interests of the U.S. to have that continue. Egypt is a great example, since they started all this earlier than Syria did. Egypt is now violent, unstable and their society is suffering. Taking time out from their busy schedule of murdering to rape the occasional journalist or diplomat.
They've chosen to slaughter each other, and could have headed this off decades ago. It's their national prerogative to do so. Let's mind our own business. All you Democrats who reject "nation building"...are now free to tee off on Mr. Kerry. If you have the ethics.
It was George W. Bush who made a strong argument against "nation building" in the 2000 debates. Too bad he didn't mean it either. It doesn't seem to matter which party is in charge of the executive branch, once they get in there, they just can't keep themselves from blustering into foreign situations we don't understand, and spending money we don't have.
SteveR-2067355----Well George Bush took care of Saddam Hussein and Obama took out Moammar Gadhafi so lets call it even.
Either way we have John Kerry flying around the world like Hillary did, doing much of nothing. He hasn't been on a vacation overseas and a while and now he can do it for free. Obama doesn't know what to do over there if he did it would been done before. Thousands have died already and Obama still has no clue as to what to do. He is a school teacher, he can give them a lecture. We all hear him all of the time doing that and he give good speeches.
Just like Libya, Egypt and Tunisia, what we call "rebels" Today will be terrorists Tomorrow.
The Muslim Brotherhood is knocking at the door. Obama loves these people!!!
Our pols and govt employees (Obama Kerry etc) forget their basic history. We, the citizen suffers. Where is the $60 M comming from?
Islam was a religion of tolerance and learning for 300 years. From 800 ad until 1100 ad, Islam carried the scholarship of western knowledge. It wasn't until al-Ghazali saw some kinds of learning, such as mathematics, as being from Satan, that Islam returned to the dark ages. Islam needs another reformation!
Islam was ideology of the war and genocide from its invention. Arabs captured half of the world. Even now the Arab empire is more than the North America and Europe taken together. Arabs made genocide of numerous peoples who lived in the occupied territories. They continue genocide of the remnants of these peoples until now. Think about Kurds, Kopts, Lebanese Christians, Jews of Israel, etc. Their goal is the world dominance. For this purpose, Islam fanatics are ready sacrifice half of the humanity.
Most Kurds are Muslims.
Sounds like repubican forefathers to me
Please do not get us involved in another land war halfway around the globe, stupid government.
Rather they killed themselves then kill Americans. Call it religious cleansing of the moooslim faith.
That's it Kerry for an opening shot, drag us into that quagmire. Does it ever end?
jpsholly----Give Kerry a Swift Boat and we will be right back in another Vietnam in a different part of the World..
How about, Kerry hinting about how he could help the American People first. When he had the job as a Senator and could have helped the American People he didn't. So all you outsiders had better watch out. This guy does nothing more than talk.
The people in Syria have been at it for a while now and thousands have died in this conflict. America under the skillful hands of Obama and Kerry they did nothing. If America is going to do anything for them, we are way to late for the thousand that have died already. If we do help them now, we will become their instant enemy right from the start, of any new Government. They will say, you should have helped us earlier. Muslim against Muslim equals a new enemy for America and/or America being hated even more.
Not to fear though, John Kerry is here!! He will get this world back to order in a few weeks.