General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: So here's where I'm the unpopular dove [View all]The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)Strike Assad's air defenses (and a few planes), radars.
Reasoning:
1. Will not upset the balance of power with the rebels. They don't have planes.
2. Will disable his ability to defend himself against other countries should he continue on with chemical attacks
3. Cost. He will have to replace those items. Work to get other countries not to sell them to him (up to and including a UN resolution)
4. Hit some of those same devices in southern Syria, lord knows they worry about Israel - remove some defenses there and make it hard to replace them and he might get the message.
No attacks on government buildings, attempt to regime change, make it cost him security and cash and weaken (hopefully) the resolve of those in the military who fear the rebels and Israel (because they know if they do it again we remove more of their air defenses). ANd take out some planes for good measure and an ammo dump or two.