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Arabs mull arming Syrian opposition as attacks continue
4 months ago  ::  Feb 14, 2012 - 3:32PM #4
rocketjsquirell
rocketjsquirell
Posts: 8,511

Ken


Jordan is not in a position to do much on either the military or the humanitarian front. They just do not have the resources. Remember, their only real ally in the region is the one they have to pretend not to be particularly close to. 


Turkey could do more, but they bring even more baggage to the table than we do. It is hard to say what the regional reaction to a Turkish military response to the Syrian disaster would be. 

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4 months ago  ::  Feb 14, 2012 - 2:27PM #3
rangerken
rangerken
Posts: 11,403

In retrospect one of the biggest mistakes made during the Cold war was the arming of third world countries by either the US led block, or the Soviet led block. Of course there were economic reasons for this, but still, we'd all be a lot better off if no country in the third world category had tanks, or advanced aircraft, or any warships larger than a small, coastal gun boat. (And no, I do NOT include Israel in the 'third world'...Israel is first world in all respects!)


Amin makes an excellent point. The end result of arming factions is always uncertain. However, something does need to be done to help the Syrian rebels. Now if, for example, Turkey and Jordan decided to cooperate, we would do well to offer logisical support to both...thereby effectively ending Assad's rule, but also not arming factions inside Syria.


In fact, I really like that idea...Turkey and Jordan both border on Syria. Both have decent millitaries, though the Turks are far and away much superior in all respects, and taking care of 'business' in Syria would make both countries look good.


I think I'll write an annonymous letter to the CIA suggesting we try to influence this...HA Cool


Ken

Conservative, Libertarian, Life member of the NRA and VFW
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4 months ago  ::  Feb 14, 2012 - 11:42AM #2
Amin21
Amin21
Posts: 3,738

Too many weapons between two sides could be the biggest obstacle to Democracy.


The Arab world lacks democracy primarily because of militia linked political parties dominating their areas in many dictatorships...


This is true in Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan, the south Sudan referrendum and Palestine and potentially Libya...


Tunis and Egypt are the closest we've seen to a difference.


The militias inevitably fix and intimidate the vote. 


Arms should be provided with great care...
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4 months ago  ::  Feb 14, 2012 - 11:07AM #1
rocketjsquirell
rocketjsquirell
Posts: 8,511
Now here is a thought

Arabs mull arming Syrian opposition as attacks continue
By REUTERS 02/14/2012 17:35
At least 6 killed in Homs; Arab League say arming opposition forces an official option, ask Arabs to provide "all kinds of political and material support."

. . .

With Assad seemingly oblivious to international condemnation of his campaign to crush the revolt, Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia pushed for a new resolution at the United Nations supporting a peace plan forged at a meeting in Cairo on Sunday.

But Arab League diplomats said that arming the opposition forces was now officially an option.

A resolution passed at the meeting urged Arabs to "provide all kinds of political and material support" to the opposition.

. . .

An Arab League proposal for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission be sent to Syria elicited a guarded response from Western powers, who are wary of becoming bogged down militarily in Syria. It was rejected out of hand by the Assad government.

Russia, Assad's main ally and arms supplier, also showed little enthusiasm, saying it could not support a peacekeeping mission unless both sides stopped the violence first.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Washington that the peacekeeper proposal would be tough to get through, given Russian and Chinese support for Damascus.

. . .

The Arab drive against Assad is led by Sunni-ruled Gulf states, who also see Shi'ite Iran and its shadowy nuclear program as a threat.

Analysts say the conflict could spread across the Middle East's ethnic, religious and political fault lines if it is not resolved.

full article: www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id...

So what do you think? Is it a good idea to supply the Syrian rebels? Would it just lead to worse violence or whould it give the anti-assad forces a fighting chance?
Sure wish I knew the solution. 
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