Mixed Feelings On Syria

[pam]

Everything I'm reading states otherwise. Russia even having sent 3 warships and another on the way.

[Swiper]

Everything I'm reading states otherwise. Russia even having sent 3 warships and another on the way.

Posturing isn't the same thing as intent.

Can you tell me a single benefit Russia would gain from becoming actively involved in the conflict with its military?

[pam]

I'm only stating what the news is saying.

[pam]

I guess we shall just have to wait and see how it all unfolds.

[Just_A_Guy]

Posturing isn't the same thing as intent.

Can you tell me a single benefit Russia would gain from becoming actively involved in the conflict with its military?

I can't think of a single benefit the US would gain from military intervention. Yet, here we are . . .

[pam]

Posturing isn't the same thing as intent.

Can you tell me a single benefit Russia would gain from becoming actively involved in the conflict with its military?

Well according to Wikipedia Russia would have a lot to lose:

Russia has significant trade relations with Syria. Its exports to Syria were worth $1.1 billion in 2010 and its investments in the country were valued at $19.4 billion in 2009 according to The Moscow Times. Besides lucrative arms contracts worth at least $4 billion, Russian firms have a substantial presence in Syria's infrastructure, energy and tourism industries.Stroitransgaz, a natural gas facility construction company, has the largest Russian operation in Syria. In 2010, it was involved in projects worth $1.1 billion and had a staff of 80 Russians working in Syria. Stroitransgaz is building a natural gas processing plant 200 kilometers east of Homs in the Al-Raqqa region and is involved in technical support for the construction of the Arab Gas Pipeline. Tatneft is the most significant Russian energy firm in Syria. The company began in 2010 through a joint venture with the Syrian national oil company to pump Syrian oil and it planned to spend $12 million on exploratory wells near the Iraqi border. Other firms with large business interests in Syria include steel pipe manufacturer TMK, gas producer ITERA, and national carrier Aeroflot.

So yeh..I could see that they would want to protect their economic interests.

[yjacket]

If I put on my tin-foiled hat, it's almost like the US wants to provoke Russia.

Could it be that because Russia thumbed their nose at the US wrt Snowden that the US government decided to play a little Russian Roulette?

The US government wants Snowden . . . bad. I wouldn't be shocked if at some point he is declared an "enemy combatant" and renditioned. It's a little hard to do that in Russia, but not impossible.

Is this episode with Syria a tit-for-tat?

What's the quote . . . nothing happens in politics by accident.

[Traveler]

Just wondering - if there is anyone that believes that the foreign policy of the current administration in regards to Middle Eastern relationships is successful - more successful than previous administrations? I think the only comparable policies were those of the Carter administration.

The Traveler

[pam]

If I put on my tin-foiled hat, it's almost like the US wants to provoke Russia.

Could it be that because Russia thumbed their nose at the US wrt Snowden that the US government decided to play a little Russian Roulette?

The US government wants Snowden . . . bad. I wouldn't be shocked if at some point he is declared an "enemy combatant" and renditioned. It's a little hard to do that in Russia, but not impossible.

Is this episode with Syria a tit-for-tat?

What's the quote . . . nothing happens in politics by accident.

I certainly hope they aren't going to pay millions of tax payers money because of a tit-for-tat.

[yjacket]

I certainly hope they aren't going to pay millions of tax payers money because of a tit-for-tat.

One would sure hope so. Unfortunately it wouldn't surprise me.

Being involved at the local & state level has taught me a lot, and tit-for-tat is certainly one of them; people don't change it's just the stage gets a little bigger.

[Guest]

Saw Anna and the King today. Best quote: How many more people must die so you can save face?

[NeuroTypical]

Huh. It looks like we're not heading into Syria after all. My prediction appears to be wrong.

This event marks the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, that the Russians have stood toe to toe with the US, and the US blinked. I guess I'll just join with all the people who were against military action in Syria in the first place, and be happy a bunch of people didn't die.

It'll be interesting to try to figure out which world deaths from here on out, are due to the tenuous resurgance of a former world power trying to make a comeback.