General Discussion

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

7. It's a touchy question.

Mon Dec 3, 2012, 02:20 PM

Dec 2012

I do agree that a pre-emptive attempt on these weapons would be a bad idea. It's hard to think of an outcome from that, even if it works, that is appetizing in the least. The situation now has all the features of persistent long-term ugliness, one thinks of the Balkans in the 90s. Even if you succeed beyond all expectations, take everything out without any WMD being used, you will precipitate a bloodbath, which will precipitate ourside intervention on all sides, which will precipitate a proxy war of indeterminate dimension, if not a larger regional or world war. And if you fail, some WMD get used, same outcome, but right away. Whereas if you wait, there is still the possibility of a negotiated resolution, no proxy war, orderly disposal of the WMD, etc. etc.

The opposing argument is "what if the crazies get them?" Which assumes future doom to justify current thoughtless reaction.

So yeah, I would argue for watchful waiting rather than a pre-emptive attempt to remove the threat.

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17 replies

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Highlight:

Syria Boxed into a Use-'Em-or-Lose-'Em WMD Dilemma Holding a Deadman Trigger [View all] leveymg Dec 2012 OP

If Assad's People Attack Foreign Powers, sir The Magistrate Dec 2012 #1

They will be gone, anyway, sir. Might as well take some of their enemies with them. leveymg Dec 2012 #2

Their Domestic Enemies Are More Likely Targets, Sir The Magistrate Dec 2012 #3

That's neither plausible nor necessary. It's a propaganda line to prepare us for the other outcome. leveymg Dec 2012 #4

When the Odds Are Six To One, Sir, I Bet On the Six The Magistrate Dec 2012 #5

You speak of this like it's a SWAT team taking down bank robbers leveymg Dec 2012 #6

Not At All, Sir The Magistrate Dec 2012 #8

It's a touchy question. bemildred Dec 2012 #7

Syria has always been a proxy war. Now it's also a religious sectarian war, an internal tribal civil riderinthestorm Dec 2012 #11

Assad said he would not use them against his own people. Arctic Dave Dec 2012 #9

Well, "his own people" could mean a lot of things, you're right about that. bemildred Dec 2012 #10

Or not. Arctic Dave Dec 2012 #12

I rather think the weapons would have to be secured. bemildred Dec 2012 #13

Just curious, but...why is so much of the stenciling on the missile body in English? Adsos Letter Dec 2012 #14

That's an interesting question. I'd also like to know what the Arabic graffiti says. Particularly, leveymg Dec 2012 #15

Because English is the Universal Language bananas Dec 2012 #16

While I'm no expert, I'd theorize that English is the language of "educated" folks in Syria riderinthestorm Dec 2012 #17