originally posted in:Secular Sevens
What I posted on The Long War Journal:
I, for one, am perfectly fine with a military intervention in Syria. But, before any of you guys jump at my throat, let me explain myself.
[url]http://www.defenddemocracy.org/media-hit/assad-has-called-obamas-bluff/[/url]
Using the above link to help my argument, I think Mr. Gerecht makes a good point about our credibility being on the line. I may be a minority, but I am in favor of keeping strong American influence in the region. Doing nothing, especially after Assad has "called our bluff" on our "red line", would have serious repercussions to our influence and credibility in the greater Middle East. I also think of the message that sends to Iran, a country we've been pressing very hard with sanctions and subtly hinting military action if all else fails. It doesn't send a very powerful message does it?
In my opinion, to make any significance at all, we would need to strike hard at various government installations (and maybe we "miss" and end up hitting some al-Qaeda targets). By "striking hard" I mean more than just a one-day ordeal, we're talking at least a few days of strikes. A one-day scenario of a few missile strikes has very little significance in the grand scheme of things; which, that means the strikes would be utterly pointless (similar to Operation Infinite Reach).
I don't think this should happen relatively soon, though. I think we should sit down, look at the evidence thoroughly and actually plan a detailed, coherent operation that extensively addresses all the major concerns and problems that comes with this (I know there are many). If we can legally justify such an operation, then it should be implemented. I also don't think this should be a unilateral operation; moreover, I think the only way to go at this is multilaterally.
The administration should also outline our strategic goals here and how we would go about securing said goals. If it takes us a month or more to thoroughly plan, set up a coalition and outline these goals, then so be it.
Adding on to this:
After the strikes, I say we actually start arming the opposition groups we like as well as utilizing SOF/CIA to assist in training and making sure the weapons end up in the right hands.
I had you read an article from Defense of Democracies that also outlined something I agree with: Actually targeting the Assad family.
I also know you don't agree with me and I'm not looking for a debate (we've already agreed to disagree. Still love you though :)). I do, however, want people to see the opposite ends of this from two people who (somewhat) know what they're talking about.
English
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Edited by Diplomat: 9/1/2013 12:08:28 AMOkay, we won't have a debate.... *lowers light saber* *moves mouth as if to say something* *gasps* *runs out of room teary* <3 u 2 Oh, if you want to write a post on my blog about Syria, I'm open to it. Obviously, I'm not going to campaign for heavy strikes anytime soon, but you are. It keeps my blog fair and balanced. Like Fox News, except actually fair and balanced. Plus, a reader commented yesterday about how he liked your drone post. It would be sometime next week, because I want to put another post up specifically focusing on his chemical weapons use and how striking might affect that.
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Edited by Seggi: 9/2/2013 2:57:14 PMWhere is your blog? I think I remember reading through it a bit once before, but I never bookmarked it. Edit: Oh, right, you posted it in the OP. Derp. Edit of an edit: That background's really ugly, dude. White on black plus even more black is borderline painful.
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[url=http://thelineofsteel.blogspot.com]I know :/ I've been working on the aesthetics for a little while now. Is this any better?[/url] What color schemes should I go for?
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Definitely better.
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I'm pretty far from a graphic designer so you'll have to take anything I say with a bag of salt, but I've always found darker text on a lighter background to be easier on the eyes. Just changing the background to a plain grey seems to improve it quite a bit, though.
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I really liked that "lazy" jab....because it's true. But anyway, I'd be open for that.
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[quote]I really liked that "lazy" jab....because it's true.[/quote] Woman, you know I want you to blog again. [quote]But anyway, I'd be open for that.[/quote] Sweet.
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I'm pretty busy between school, girlfriend, Arabic lessons and work. So, I'll try to find some time whenever you want me to.