Israel estimates US will attack in Syria

[Mosby]

Israeli security officials estimated Saturday evening that the US will act militarily in Syria in response to the chemical attack on rebel stronghold near Damascus earlier this week.

A senior army official said IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz discussed the Syrian crisis with US Joint Chiefs of Staff chief General Martin Dempsey during a phone conversation on Friday. The two generals also discussed the recent escalation of violence in Lebanon and the unrest in Egypt, the official said.

-snip-

US President Barack Obama met with his national security team on Saturday to consider possible responses to the chemical attack on Damascus' suburbs. The Washington Post reported that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that Obama had asked the Pentagon to prepare military options for Syria. US defense officials told The Associated Press that the Navy had sent a fourth warship armed with ballistic missiles into the eastern Mediterranean Sea but without immediate orders for any missile launch into Syria.

ABC News said potential targets include Syrian military or government command and control facilities as well as delivery systems for Syria’s chemical weapons, namely artillery or missile launchers. Targeting Syrian chemical weapons depots carries the risk of unleashing chemicals into the atmosphere, which makes them less likely targets.

The limited-scope military options would use "standoff" weapons, which would not require the US to send jet fighters over Syrian airspace and risk their getting shot down by Syria's strong air defense system, ABC News reported. The use of sea-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles is seen as the most likely option.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4421645,00.html

[Mosby]

1. Assad's arsenal: 100,000 missiles and rockets

While the US is bolstering its naval force in the Mediterranean with additional warships ahead of a possible strike in Syria, the Middle East is preparing for the aftermath of such a strike, if and when it occurs. Israel in particular is raising its alert level, as Syria's retaliation may include an attack on Israeli targets.

According to estimates, the Syrian army has in its possession some 100,000 missiles and rockets. Several thousand of them, such as the Scud-D missiles, are considered very powerful and accurate and can reach any target in Israel. President Bashar Assad's army also has Russian-made SS-22 medium-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, which can carry some 120 kilograms of explosive material.

The Syrian army is not only weary from fighting the rebel forces over the past two-and-a-half years, it has also used up a fair amount of its weapons. However, Russia continues to send arms shipments to Syria and is making certain the regime is Damascus receives more rockets, anti-tank missiles, small arms and ammunition. The Syrian army also receives logistical support from Iran.

The events of the past week have raised fears in Israel that Assad will use chemical weapons not only against his own people. The Syrian army is capable of arming its missiles with chemical agents, as it did this week prior to the attack on rebel strongholds on the outskirts of Damascus, and use them against Israel, although such a scenario seems unlikely at the moment.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4421668,00.html

[napoleon_in_rags]

2. I just hope whatever they choose is smart.

I remember cheering for the Arab spring, and then seeing the situation in Egypt turn into a coup against a democratically elected government by the military, seeing footage of Qaddafi anally violated with a knife. I remember feeling proud that Obama got Osama, then feeling sad that AQ was still growing, then I remember hearing the Syria opposition had many Al Qaeda. The obvious and blatant trap, where Obama supports a war in Syria that leads to an Al Qaeda takeover of a state (a negative an unexpected outcome, just like in Egypt) looms large in my mind. The enemies against the US are many and complex, and in the modern context they are the enemies against Obama. Any analysis which over simplifies the situation in Syria is vulnerable to be manipulated for a bad outcome for all of us.

[Mosby]

3. Israel TV: Chemical weapons were fired by Assad’s brother’s unit

The chemical weapons allegedly used to kill hundreds of Syrian civilians by the regime of President Bashar Assad last Wednesday were fired by the 155th Brigade of the 4th Armored Division of the Syrian Army, an Israel TV report said.

This division is under the command of the president’s brother, Maher Assad.

The nerve gas shells were fired from a military base in a mountain range to the west of Damascus, the Channel 2 news report said.

The embattled regime has concentrated its vast stocks of chemical weaponry in just two or three locations, the report said, under the control of Syrian Air Force Intelligence, itself reporting to the president.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-tv-chemical-weapons-were-fired-by-assads-brothers-unit/

[BainsBane]

8. that video of the gassed children was horrific

It truly is atrocious what Assad is doing. I don't know if US intervention can help or will cause more casualties. The whole situation appears incredibly complex.

[Arctic Dave]

4. Pump the that war boner.

I think I forgot an apostrophe.

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. Estimate? I'm sure the Zion death cult TOLD the US to attack Syria, Iran's #1 ally. n/t

[DevonRex]

15. Did you just call Israel the Zion Death Cult?

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. And it got them banned by Skinner

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=167827&sub=trans

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12593097

[cali]

22. Which was not my intent when I posted

that question in the Ask forum. It was the shocking jury verdict on this post that led me to ask about it in the hopes that the admins would hide it, but I can't say I'm sorry to see that poster gone.

[DevonRex]

23. This wasn't the only time he made disgusting anti-semitic

remarks. It was time. You don't have to feel bad about anything.

[cali]

24. What bothers me more than that poster

making the comments- and I think it's troubling- is that the jury voted 5-1 against hiding that post. It was flat out hate and it was acceptable.

[DevonRex]

27. That was like a punch in the stomach.

I think that in a few cases like FWWM and Hannah/HiPoint, what we have is people who think Russia, China or North Korea embody communism. Even the Russia of today, which doesn't even pretend anymore.

When Russia outlaws LGBTs they go along with it, even when Neo-Nazi thugs are used to lure them out and beat them up and call the state police to arrest them.

So suddenly communist ideals are replaced by Neo-Nazi rhetoric and it's led by Putin so it's all good in their eyes. And when RT blames Israel they go along with it. Next thing you know, FWWM is using hate speech against Jews on DU and his followers let the offensive remarks stay. FWWM had many people hanging on his every word here.

[Orrex]

28. When I first read it, I was sure it was sarcasm.

No one could actually, seriously believe such vile and over-the-top hate-propaganda, could they?


Looks like they could after all.

[TacoD]

30. Does anyone have the jury comments?

I agree the post could have been hidden and it is hard to see "zion death cult" as anything but antisemitism, which saddens me greatly. But it also saddens me greatly to see him banned. Despite this bigotry he was a force for good on DU.

[cali]

33. this is what I received.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=inbox&view=1177001

[TacoD]

34. That is a link to your inbox, which I do not have access to. (nt)

[TacoD]

31. I don't believe the admins ever hide anything that juries let stand...

...with the exception of auto-hiding newbie malicious intruder posts. I'm glad you weren't looking to get him banned, but I think the admins' only possible actions were to do nothing or ban him.

[DevonRex]

25. For some reason

this business with Syria/chemical weapons and Russia/RT insisting it wasn't Assad but maybe even Israel and the CIA doing it really brought out the anti-semite in FWWM. He always defended Russia and the thought that perhaps Russia had been providing the chems to Syria was a bit too much for him, I guess.

People keep saying the Cold War is over. In the case of Russia-Syria it never ended. Russia has been selling arms to Syria since 1956 and got their base there in 1972. And they've poured millions into it recently to refurbish it.

Muriel, I don't know how this will play out. I do know it's the most dangerous situation we and Israel both will face for some time. It's an obvious regional power play by one government that has an inside presence and a lot invested, a lot to lose and much more to gain.

So far all we've done is watch in horror. That's all we can do without the UN or perhaps NATO like Clinton did. And I'm not even certain of what we should do. After what GWB put us through. But that is exactly what Putin is counting on. What do you think?

[cali]

17. seriously? that's flat out vile. of course, it's not shocking

coming from the likes of YOU.

[dtom67]

26. Wow...

I'm usually right there with ya; but This cannot stand.

ALL Human life has Value.

discrimination and Hatred are the Enemy.

shit, here come Kerry....

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. I think they probably will too - It will then be a very dangerous situation

Not having a crystal ball that works perfectly - I will shy away from making any firm predictions. But that is the nature of the beast with military actions - there are far too many variables to say with any degree of certainty what will happen. Remember it is Saudi Arabia that is the prime instigator - probably because they are convinced (perhaps correctly, perhaps incorrectly - likely partly true) that Syria along with Iran have been instigating against them - But I cannot see limited strikes as being sufficient to topple the regime in Damascus. This is not the Libyan situation - it is much more complicated than that - and I suspect the Christians, Shiites and Alawites and other minorities will rally all the stronger around Assad believing with some degree of legitimacy that the regime's demise would mean their demise. I suspect Assad will remain in power for still some time to come. But U.S. military strikes will introduce another variable into a highly volatile and unpredictable situation.

[Mosby]

7. the obama admin has to do something

About the "red line" being crossed.

I think they will go after the chemical weapon stockpiles directly, but that won't topple assad.

[Douglas Carpenter]

13. there is a lot of danger in attacking stockpiles themselves. That can cause a great deal of damage

It is hard to say if they know where they are and if they can be attacked. There would also be concern of such weapons falling into the hands of the less savory elements of the opposition. I would guess that they might want to do punitive strikes like they did in Serbia hoping they can force the regime to change its positions. But I doubt that would mean much when you have a regime fighting for its survival with a major portion of the ethnic and religious minorities convinced with some legitimacy that the collapse of the regime would be a total catastrophe for them. The Syrian Baathist regime is largely a collection of minorities who are now legitimately terrified of losing.

[Comrade Grumpy]

9. US military action may have support in Tel Aviv, but not on the streets of America.

Didn't I just see a Reuters poll that had 9% in favor of US action, with 60% opposed? I hope Obama is listening to us instead of John McCain and Laurent Fabius.

[Mosby]

10. 90 percent of Americans can't pick out Syria on a map of the ME.

[leveymg]

12. That was how Iraq was too, in the beginning. Don't worry. Enough of us will find it

to die there. Some more here, in all likelihood.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. "War is God's way of teaching Americans geography." Ambrose Bierce

[BOG PERSON]

11. what a relief!

now i know a war isn't in the offing

[darkangel218]

14. I bet theyre happy too. nt

[malaise]

16. That's Israel's dream

Fugging warmonger

[cali]

19. and what about Obama if he makes the decision to attack?

I don't get your massive cognitive dissonance at all. I've never seen anything like it. You have all kinds of harsh words for the stuff his administration does, all the while pretending he has nothing to do with it; you distance him from those policies in the oddest way and are a full on supporter of the President, lashing out at those who criticize his policies.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. Are they planning settlements in Damascus?

[Historic NY]

29. Lets see some action by other countries, for a change....

instead of symbolic posturing.

[Blue_Tires]

32. Why don't we just sit back and let Israel take the point on this one?

For all the talk and bluster, it's been a lot of years since they've had to put their own skin in the game...

[Mosby]

35. 2008

Israel engaged Hamas in Gaza in order to stop the thousands of rockets they and other terrorist groups were firing into Israel.

[Blue_Tires]

36. I meant "games" a little bigger...

[malaise]

37. Israel is the leading shit stirer in this entire mess n/t