About This Potential "Deal" Regarding Syria And Chemical Weapons...

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

What the hell makes anyone think that Assad is going to turn over his entire chemical weapons stock, if just this morning on CBS, he denied even using chemical weapons in the first place.



I would love a potential deal to avoid military action, but unfortunately, the US and the international community is not dealing with a rational man.

[FarCenter]

1. If he hasn't used them, and can't use them without being bombed, why not turn them over?

Note also that if the Alawaites loose the war, the jihadists will have fewer chemical weapons with which to gas the Alawaites, Christians and other minorities in Syria.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Where have I heard this talking point before?

[Scootaloo]

3. He denied using them. He didn't deny having them

I somehow doubt you would "love it" if we avoided military action, given your apparent need to make such a bad obfuscation

[Avalux]

4. Russia keeps Assad alive and in power.

And they have their lone military base outside of Russia in Syria. Putin will get a deal done.

[Yo_Mama]

5. He said he didn't order their use - he never denied having them.

A lot of people will become more reasonable at the point of a gun - and if Putin gets on board, it seems likely that he will have to do this.

[Iggo]

6. Welsome to DU.

[VanillaRhapsody]

7. So do I....but you dance with the irrational Syrian Dictator you have not the one you wish you

had....

[MNBrewer]

8. What makes you think he's not rational?

Enough with the "insane dictator" hysteria.

[quinnox]

9. Would you rather have Al Qaeda or fanatic religion fundies in charge?

How would they be any better than Assad?


Assad at least is secular and keeps a firm hand on the country, stopping a religious takeover from Al Qeada types.

[David__77]

10. The US should stay out either way.

This is nonsense. No military intervention.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. He's afraid? Russia's worried?

He hasn't stayed in power this long by being stupid and/or insane and I'm reasonably sure he's not interested in being removed or toppled by the US (or as the result of our involvement). Being threatened with US airstrikes might have dealt him a more serious blow than we thought. Besides, it would be good PR for him and provides him with an alibi/vindication for him should chemical weapons be used again after they are removed from him (i.e. his claims of the rebels using them would be more credible and it would hurt the rebel cause politically).

[JackRiddler]

12. The U.S. and who?!

You write, "the US and the international community is not dealing with a rational man."

What's the international community? It has spoken, and it's overwhelmingly not with the U.S. on this question.