[Telegraph]Syria will be 1st rogue state to get Barack Obama charm offensive

What does that have to do with anything having to do with trying to bring stability and peace to the middle east? The point is to isolate Iran, Syria is their close ally, not to make a new best friend. And why do you keep calling it a "Christian" nation? They are nearly 60% muslim.

 

It isn't about making friends with Syria. It is about pointing out areas where we have similar interests and how both nations might benefit from pursuing those, especially in regards to terrorism and a stable Iraq.

It won't change that we don't like their oppressive style of govt. It won't change that we will still try and put pressure on them to stop funding Iran, or stop their oppressive ways.

We are going to leave Iraq. We would like it to be stable. Other nations in the region also would like it to be stable. It makes sense to talk to those nations including Syria, about why it's a good idea and how to go about it. Syria can take some responsibility to see that it happens, and be told in no uncertain terms about what can happen if they take steps to undermine it.

It's not about just going over there and telling Syria we love them now, and ask them to check the yes box, on our 'do you love me back' letter.

 

The Assad family are radical islamists?

That's news to me, considering that they're secular Baathists.

ALso worth posting in this thread is that Sy hersh has reported that Syria has made numerous unofficial overtures to offer intel to the US but has been rebuffed by the Bush Admin who refused to talk with them.


edit: here is the link

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/07/28/030728fa_fact

 

Did u write a college essay on Lebanon?? I highly doubt it. FYI, they even have a Christmas tree on their flag. That right there is all the proof in the pudding u need

 

Some people mistakenly assume that if an Arab state is radical, that it always means radical Islamist. Here is something ironic: The only likely alternative (IMO) in Syria to Assad and his thugs would be (drum roll please) an Islamist regime. Ta da! Conclusion: Our only logical strategy is to try and work with Assad because any replacement would be 10x worse.

 

any negotiations with syria will have to include pressure on israel to give up golan in order to have full recognition. with netanyahu probably at the helm, can bho pull that off is key.

 

This is crazy -- Obama can't be Syrias.

 

His wife is pretty hot and that's the only analysis that I can offer on the issue

 

Your reply only makes sense to the extent that I said that all terrorists are radical Islamists. Pssstttt....I never said that.

Therefore, your post makes no sense.

 

Lebanon may be majority muslims but I dated a lebanese girl who took me there in the summer. It has beach parties and nightclubs like you wouldn't believe and muslim countries do not allow alcohol or clubs. The muslims there are the majority but they have no influence on the countrys lifestyle, they all live in small towns with 10 kids per family.Don't believe me go to this site and check out there nightlife and clubs.

pictures


Did I mention their leaders are also Christian only, muslims aren't allowed to be president but they can be prime minister again I've written alot about the subject while doing my undergrad work. I know we're friends with Lebanon but we should push their free election system to all the other muslim nations so we don't end up with leaders like Saddam and Assad who win elections 11,000,000 votes to none for the opposition its a joke. Lebanon is a beacon of what can be accomplished in the middle east with enough work from a willing and fair leadership. Secondly yes the Syria airport story is true because I got stuck there with the gf when we were leaving lebanon in 2006 after Israel bombed the airport.

www.souwar.com

 

You know the rules.

 

Your big mistake in this post is thinking Lebanon's demographics and history are representative of its Arab neighbors. It ain't. Lebanon is a very unique country.

 

I'm lovin this thread.....it's almost like BrooksBall has a doppelganger in the D&D

 

No, you said Syria is " a country that has been built upon the terrorism that we are waging war on"

Syria is "built on" radical islamic terrorism .... that is what you said.

And you said this because you were obviously ignorant of many details of the Syrian government or Syrian politics - there's no shame in that. But it does mean your little pearl of wisdom as to the US' diplomatic relations with Syria is not very valuable.

This post makes perfect sense....but it too fails.

 

I agree with this weslinder, but I would say it makes sense to try and engage Syria right out of the starting gate, but don't make it a high profile initiative. Make some small gains first before highlighting what you're doing.

 

Fritz: [Mrs. Van Hoskins approaches] Here she comes now, did you get the jewels out of the hotel?
Harry: Nah, I stashed 'em in 1714, I didn't have time...
Fritz: 1714? What kind of house detective are you? Cannot commit a simple burglary.
Harry: I'm ashamed.
Fritz: Nevermind. I will return the case to her room, while you detain her.
Harry: How do I do that?
Fritz: Use your charm!
[walks away]
Harry: Charm... use your charm.
[as Mrs. Van Hoskins walks by, Harry trips her and she falls]

 

On the other hand, going to Syria first can signal to the Syrians that he really cares about the outcome of these discussions, which might help.

 

brilliant analysis there einstein. any other racist wisdom you'd like to impart?

 

My bad