Syria thread

[Sava]

Obama painted himself into a corner, by the way.

Technically speaking, yes. But not by any personal deficiency. He was begrudgingly asserting the responsibility the US has with regards to the use of chemical weapons use.

You can disagree with the notion that the US should have such obligations. But they do exist. It's a bit murky since many of the international treaties don't have enforcement mechanisms.

But with regards to Obama, every and any modern US President would have reacted the same way. Republicans have the luxury of throwing stones because they don't currently hold the office.

[Sava]

Putin's out is surprising. I can only imagine he's just sick to death of having to listen to this embarrassing ordeal any longer.

Russia has a lot to lose if the US strikes. They aren't going to retaliate and start a nuclear war over Syria. This way, the flow of Russian arms into Syria can continue unabated.

Both sides want the bloodshed to continue. The US wants both sides to lose in hopes of a seemingly democratic internal political solution resulting. Russia wants to continue to make lots of money selling weapons to the regime.

[The Mad Monk]

It's all personal deficiency. He doesn't know to negotiate with peers, and it sets people off.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Mind the blood pressure dear. Next thing you know you'll blame obama for your headache.

Comedy is good for the soul. Every speech so far is therapy.

[Sava]

He doesn't know to negotiate with peers, and it sets people off.

Well, if it makes you happy to think that, don't let me stop you.

But I would disagree with your premise. The President of the US doesn't have any peers at the moment. It's just polite to the Euros to pretend like their leaders are one the same level. They have horrible inferiority complexes. We shouldn't feed them.

[kentonio]

It's ****ing amateur hour in world diplomacy.

You'll have to forgive us if we don't take Team GOP very seriously when they accuse other folks of being bad at world diplomacy. Have you forgotten the part where under the last administration you had the lowest national approval rating across the world in the whole of American history?

Here's a fun chart..



Hey, at least Bush went down well with the Russians, Nigerians and Lebanese!

[The Mad Monk]

x-ends at 2008'd

Bob Woodward thinks that.

[Sava]

Diplomatically, Obama is hitting a home run. The "fail" in this case is trumping up the case for war and engaging in a massive misinformation campaign... like for the War in Iraq.

[kentonio]

x-ends at 2008'd

Here you go.

http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/survey/9/

Spoiler: People like the US more now.

[The Mad Monk]

Diplomatically, Obama is hitting a home run. The "fail" in this case is trumping up the case for war and engaging in a massive misinformation campaign... like for the War in Iraq.

The home run was due to 1. the UK pulling the rug out and 2. "idiot" John Kerry talking "off the cuff" and giving Putin an opening.

[DinoDoc]

You'll have to forgive us if we don't take Team GOP very seriously when they accuse other folks of being bad at world diplomacy.

A) How's the reset with Russia going?
B) That sure was a large coalition of the willing Obama had with him to go against Syria wasn't it?

[Colon™]

Obama could be more robust, but we're still far removed from the calamities under Bush the Younger.

[The Mad Monk]

Here you go.

http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/survey/9/

Spoiler: People like the US more now.

Nice, now would you like to provide a single source for the full range?

[kentonio]

Nice, now would you like to provide a single source for the full range?

That last link has 2002-2013. That somehow not enough for you?

[The Mad Monk]

Doh!