They got directly involved, but they were an ally and supporter already, so I think it's a fudge to say that they weren't involved before.Quote:
Hold up. Why do you think Russia got involved in Syria to begin with?
I can't speak to your certainty, but you make two assumptions which I think are tenuous:Quote:
You asked me what my solution would be. I replied. I'm curious as to how you derive certainty from that.
1) That Obama's failure to act necessarily led to a worse outcome, as compared to significant intervention
2) That invading or eliminating Assad would have necessarily led to a better outcome. Seems like it might just lead to another Iraq, this time with both Iran AND Russia outside the tent, pissing in.
There is no alternative that I strongly favor. I don't think there are any good options, and yes, that is a consequence of Obama's failure to act earlier (and yes, there are still caveats to that statement).Quote:
Again, I'm still waiting on an alternative from you that isn't entirely comprised of sitting on ones hands.
I think that there is no public appetite for large-scale military intervention involving significant American boots on the ground. That's been pretty consistent since the beginning. I think that the urge to just do . . . something. . . may come from the heart but isn't necessarily practical. I'm not enthused about yet anther open-ended commitment in the region. We have how many of those already?
Establishing no-fly and safe zones would require some kind of long-term ground commitment, and would involve conflict and casualties across the board, but it's something that has to be considered, at least. There would certainly be a risk of getting tangled up w/Russia, but less so than if we went full Leeeroy Jenkins. If our European allies and Arab League countries would be willing to commit, it could potentially help put pressure on Assad to get out, which I agree should be the ultimate goal, but not at any price.
Doing nothing is another option, also unappealing. Either way, we're going to be there fighting ISIL.