12-26-2012, 12:52 PM
"Take him out" is one of the worst possible answers at this time, imo. And, yes, Syria has oil. It's not a major exporter of oil as compared to other Middle Eastern countries, but it generates a few billion dollars a year and is one of the top revenue generators for Syria.
I'm not defending Assad, aussie, but I'm not sure you're aware of who makes up the opposition forces. You saw a youtube video that understandably affected you. The type of atrocities reflected in that video have been attributed to both the government and opposition forces; both sides.
"What comes next?" has to be asked and there needs to be an answer before any outside forces jump into an internal conflict/war or consider taking out a country's leader. Assad still has a lot of support within Syria. Without a plan or qualified organization to take over, there would likely be more chaos and an even worse situation for Syrian civilians under no rule and in flux.
The SNC has only just been recognized as "legitimate" and now they are being coached and groomed by their backers (US, Turkey, AL..,), imo. It's not an overnight process. Plus, aussie, it'd be extremely ignorant for any third party(s) to contemplate "taking out" Assad without considering Russia, Iraq and China's position in favor of the Syrian government and their most likely responses.
I am glad to see the SNC recognized as a "legitimate" organization now; that recognition enabled the US and other countries to officially budget and fund humanitarian aid in the form of blankets, supplies and other necessities to those Syrians caught in the cross-fire.
I would like to see a push from all outside forces encouraging Assad and the SNC leaders to negotiate and perhaps re-organize into a more "democratic" government. That's not looking very likely, but it should be pursued more vigorously before assassination is even contemplated, imo.
I'm not defending Assad, aussie, but I'm not sure you're aware of who makes up the opposition forces. You saw a youtube video that understandably affected you. The type of atrocities reflected in that video have been attributed to both the government and opposition forces; both sides.
"What comes next?" has to be asked and there needs to be an answer before any outside forces jump into an internal conflict/war or consider taking out a country's leader. Assad still has a lot of support within Syria. Without a plan or qualified organization to take over, there would likely be more chaos and an even worse situation for Syrian civilians under no rule and in flux.
The SNC has only just been recognized as "legitimate" and now they are being coached and groomed by their backers (US, Turkey, AL..,), imo. It's not an overnight process. Plus, aussie, it'd be extremely ignorant for any third party(s) to contemplate "taking out" Assad without considering Russia, Iraq and China's position in favor of the Syrian government and their most likely responses.
I am glad to see the SNC recognized as a "legitimate" organization now; that recognition enabled the US and other countries to officially budget and fund humanitarian aid in the form of blankets, supplies and other necessities to those Syrians caught in the cross-fire.
I would like to see a push from all outside forces encouraging Assad and the SNC leaders to negotiate and perhaps re-organize into a more "democratic" government. That's not looking very likely, but it should be pursued more vigorously before assassination is even contemplated, imo.