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In reply to the discussion: Please understand, any U.S. military action in Syria means that we're being dragged into a proxy war [View all]markpkessinger
(8,395 posts)68. Thank you . . .
I would only add that at this point, it is still simply a civil war in Syria. It is the Sunni Arab states -- those states that are eager to 'foot the bill' for our actions -- who are tryhing to make it into the proxy war you suggest. And if we become involved, that is exactly what it will become.
Here is something I posted on Facebook yesterday, along the same lines:
More and more, I am convinced that this whole Syria thing isn't really about chemical weapons at all. It isn't even really all that much about Syria, per se. This is a proxy war for a long-standing Sunni/Shia conflict in the region; Syria is merely the latest battlefront. Assad's party is a secular offshoot of the Shiite branch of Islam, but Shiites represent only 13% of Syria's population are Shia, while 74% are Sunni. Secretary Kerry testified before Congress that several Arab nations had offered to "foot the bill" for any military action against Syria. That makes sense: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Emirates, Kuwait are all Sunni Muslim states, and thus are supporting the Sunni rebels in Syria. Iran, on the other hand, is a Shia Muslim state (populated not by Arabs, but by Persians). So Iran is naturally supporting a Shia government (albeit a secular one). The whole thing is a proxy war of Arabs versus Persians -- Saudi Arabia versus Iran -- in battling for the position of dominant power in the region. Israel figures in this equation as well: Israel is happy to make common cause (in this instance anyway) with Arabs, because it sees Iran as a bigger threat. And of course, both Russia and China have significant trade relationships with Syria. All of which is to say, it is utter madness for the U.S. to insert itself into this situation in any way, shape or form.
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Please understand, any U.S. military action in Syria means that we're being dragged into a proxy war [View all]
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
OP
"Actions have ends." Maybe you forgot that 2 years ago, in 2011, Obama began saying "Assad must go"?
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#61
Thanks. After our last exchange I decided it was time to come out with an OP.
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#14
One of my favorite quotes - and now it's in this thread twice! (see post #30)
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#34
Well, Israel has the nuke card - maybe they figure that gives them some leverage with the Saudis.
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#10
Israel is the ultimate target, and the Islamists will work at it until Israel is removed.
FarCenter
Sep 2013
#16
The Saudis are just fine with Israel. Israel gives them added leverage with the U.S.
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#18
Willie Peter, napalm, DU--all tools of the trade in our benevolent military.
Jackpine Radical
Sep 2013
#31
It was read by Commandant David M. Shoup who left after JFK's assignation and refused to be
AnotherMcIntosh
Sep 2013
#43
It's good to see your interest. It may be worthwhile to borrow a book from your library system,
AnotherMcIntosh
Sep 2013
#58
The PNAC may no longer exist as a formal organization (above ground, that is),
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#54
Iran could have an atomic bomb by mid-2014, according to David Albright, former UN weapons inspector
DhhD
Sep 2013
#97
The Islamic leadership of Saudi Arabia will be behind our troops. Far behind.
AnotherMcIntosh
Sep 2013
#44
I don't do facebook, so I'm very glad you posted you fb post here - great post!
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#69
Our leaders make the choice - it is the rest of us who get "dragged" along.
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#118
I think more us understand this than you think although between the media and the republicans I can
liberal_at_heart
Sep 2013
#104
You make some good points, and I thank you for the time & energy that went into your post.
scarletwoman
Sep 2013
#116