Obama: brilliant or stupid

[josephpalazzo]

At the UN, the President declared that the US would be willing to work with Russia and Iran to solve the Syrian crisis.

Brilliant or Stupid?

[TomFoolery]

Brilliant or Stupid?

Oh come on... as anyone who has ever studied history knows, you can't answer that question until it's over. :)

[josephpalazzo]

Yes, but it's fun to see the lefties and the righties going at each other's throat.

[stromboli]

Its a board game. The superpower that wipes out ISIS gets candy.

[josephpalazzo]

Its a board game. The superpower that wipes out ISIS gets candy.

You mean oil. What's funny is that Saudi Arabia has deliberately brought the price of oil from near $150 to the present $40 in its attempt to ruin the economies of both Russia and Iran. Here comes Obama, the US the staunchest ally of S.A, wanting to side with these two countries.

Ok, brilliant or stupid?

What says you...

[pr126]

The USA does not want to fight ISIS really. That is why Putin is getting into the fray.
What the US has done so far was a token bombing just to be seen doing something, but no visible impact.

ISIS is closer to Russia, and it is a clear and present danger.
Removing Assad is not a good idea. Putting ISIS in place will be much worse. All the Christians, Alavites and assorted minorities would be exterminated quickly.

This is also a war for supremacy between Sunni and Shia. That is why Iran is "helping".

[josephpalazzo]

The USA does not want to fight ISIS really. That is why Putin is getting into the fray.
What the US has done so far was a token bombing just to be seen doing something, but no visible impact.

To make an impact, the US would have to put boots on the ground. Right now, it's bomb a target, kill as many ISIS members. But then 2 or 3 days, ISIS goes back to regain said target. No boots on the ground, no progress. Problem with boots on the ground: (1) Obama took them out. Reversing would be an admission of being wrong - even though the withdrawal of US troops in Iraq was negotiated under Bush. Obama is still responsible for that decision as he could have reversed that. He didn't, and that was entirely consistent with his position in the election campaign of 2008 and his objection to the Iraqi war in 2003. (2) Americans are war weary. There is no consensus no appetite to go into another war, especially after the fiasco in Iraq.

ISIS is closer to Russia, and it is a clear and present danger.
Removing Assad is not a good idea. Putting ISIS in place will be much worse. All the Christians, Alavites and assorted minorities would be exterminated quickly.

That's the dilemma: Assad is bad, but who could replace him would most likely be worse.

This is also a war for supremacy between Sunni and Shia. That is why Iran is "helping".

Why it puts the US in a quandary. The Saudis (US ally) are fighting the Shiites by funding ISIS (US enemy) in Syria/Iraq.

[SGOS]

Oh come on... as anyone who has ever studied history knows, you can't answer that question until it's over. :)

Yes, but it's fun to see the lefties and the righties going at each other's throat.

I haven't been able to make up my mind on this one.  I don't want Iran to have a bomb, but I think that is the way this is heading.  At one time, I would have thought greater minds than mine know what they are doing, but I don't jump to that conclusion anymore.

[josephpalazzo]

I haven't been able to make up my mind on this one.  I don't want Iran to have a bomb, but I think that is the way this is heading.  At one time, I would have thought greater minds than mine know what they are doing, but I don't jump to that conclusion anymore.

One part of me wants Iran to get the bomb - it would make every Saudi shit in his pants. OTOH, Iran might give it any terrorist group and then all hell would break loose...

[Baruch]

I haven't been able to make up my mind on this one.  I don't want Iran to have a bomb, but I think that is the way this is heading.  At one time, I would have thought greater minds than mine know what they are doing, but I don't jump to that conclusion anymore.

Good to be skeptical.  Once upon a time I trusted the Foreign Policy experts.  Are you comfortable with Pakistan having nukes?  Iran if anything would be more responsible than Pakistan.

Answering the original question, Obama may not be brilliant, but working with Russia and Iran on the Syrian question, is a good idea anyway.

[stromboli]

Putin is playing the cooperation card to get something, to be sure; like dropping sanctions. But if there was ever a snake he is it. And I don't give Obama high marks on international issues. I'd be checking for my wallet after spending an hour with Putin.

[Baruch]

It takes another tyrant to appreciate a tyrant ... King Obama qualifies ;-(

[stromboli]

It takes another tyrant to appreciate a tyrant ... King Obama qualifies ;-(

Some here would disagree, but I won't. Obama is a snake in his own way.

[Baruch]

Most politicians are two headed snakes, they can bite you from either end ;-)

[SGOS]

Are you comfortable with Pakistan having nukes?

No, I'm not.