Cipheron on 1/12/2024 at 03:36
Quote Posted by Pyrian
What does
he get out of this deal? Territory he already controls? Sanctions he already subverts? A break from the fighting, I suppose, but I don't think he'll agree to any part of Ukraine joining NATO for that.
The sanctions would be the key bargaining chip for Putin, I didn't think of that. Lifting sanctions would immediately spur a huge amount of economic activity in Russia, which Putin can take the credit for.
That probably shows the importance of being willing to use sanctions even if they didn't stop the war. They're a bargaining chip you can negotiate away later.
Nicker on 10/12/2024 at 18:58
Assad: Why don't you bomb my civilian population like you used to? Don't you love me anymore, Vladdy?
Putin: I've been busy. Why don't you bring the family and your most loyal minions and spend Christmas in Moscow. I have had a few former allies fall out of windows lately so there's lots of spare dachas.
heywood on 10/12/2024 at 21:36
Out with Assad, in with Al Qaeda. Thanks Turkey. I know Erdogan wants to send all the Syrian refugees back, but this probably just makes things worse.
Nicker on 10/12/2024 at 21:42
Fair point. Let's restore the murderous Assad dynasty in place until the perfect solution comes along.
heywood on 10/12/2024 at 23:09
I doubt the Syrian people will fare any better in an Islamic republic headed by an Al Qaeda and ISIL commander. In a choice between two brutal dictatorships, I'd rather have Assad because his goal was just to rule a united Syria again, not to spread Islamism worldwide. But we'll see.
lowenz on 11/12/2024 at 00:23
That's the Saddam/Gheddafi solution! Not very good when they get old and "discover" the power of religion.....just as Putin with Ruski Mir.
Political mysticism is an elder disease.
Azaran on 11/12/2024 at 01:07
Quote Posted by heywood
I doubt the Syrian people will fare any better in an Islamic republic headed by an Al Qaeda and ISIL commander. In a choice between two brutal dictatorships, I'd rather have Assad because his goal was just to rule a united Syria again, not to spread Islamism worldwide. But we'll see.
(
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/footage-shows-syrian-rebels-in-damascus-vowing-were-coming-for-jerusalem-patience-people-of-gaza/) The new fascists can't help showing their true colours
Quote:
Footage from a mosque in Damascus aired by Hebrew media shows Syrian rebels vowing to march on Jerusalem, a day after a stunning opposition advance took over the capital, ending the Assad family’s five decades of iron rule.
“This is the land of Islam, this is Damascus, the Muslim stronghold. From here to Jerusalem. We’re coming for Jerusalem. Patience, people of Gaza, patience,” vows an Islamist rebel spokesman surrounded by a group of gunmen who respond with cries of “Allahu akbar! (“God is greatest” in Arabic)The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the strongest rebel group, has tried to reassure minorities that he will not interfere with them and the international community that he opposes Islamist attacks abroad. In Aleppo, which the rebels captured a week ago, there have not been reports of reprisals.
The IDF seized control of the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, yesterday, in what it said was a defensive and temporary measure, given the chaos in the country following the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
DuatDweller on 11/12/2024 at 03:04
Oh great the big fanatic shit is spreading far....
Starker on 11/12/2024 at 06:43
Quote Posted by heywood
I'd rather have Assad because his goal was just to rule a united Syria again, not to spread Islamism worldwide. But we'll see.
A Syria so united, it has been in a massive civil war for over a decade with torture prisons for dissidents on an industrial scale: (
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2dx3ekpr59o)
Pyrian on 11/12/2024 at 07:11
So, they're promising the West that they'll settle down and form a representative government, they're promising their own troops that they'll march on Jerusalem and free Gaza, and most likely aren't going to do any of those things.
