The WeekBlocked at the UN by Russia and stripped of British backing, US President still ready to launch assault.
The US is facing the prospect of attacking Syria without UN approval and without the support of its closest ally following last night’s defeat of a Commons motion approving Britain’s involvement.
The New York Times says President Obama is prepared to “move ahead with a limited military strike on Syria” without British involvement. But the paper says parliament’s emphatic rejection of an armed response is also a setback for Obama who is “struggling” to assemble a coalition of allies after failing to get the UN Security Council to authorize a strike.
Even before last night’s vote in London, Obama had reportedly given up hope of overcoming the objections of Russia – President Assad’s staunchest ally – to any resolution in the UN Security Council.
White House sources made it clear that “eroding support” for a strike would not necessarily stay the president’s hand. Pentagon officials said the US Navy now has five destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean. Each vessel carries dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles that would “probably be the centrepiece of any attack on Syria”.
Russia is also bolstering its presence in the region by dispatching an anti-submarine ship and a missile cruiser to the Mediterranean.
There is speculation a US attack may come as soon as this weekend. The New York Times says “all indications” suggest it would come hard on the heels of the departure from Syria of UN weapons inspectors. They are due to fly out of Damascus on Saturday.
The Washington Post says Obama has the “authority and determination” to go it alone over Syria. But it points out that the president’s position has become more difficult as “more time has elapsed between the Syrian attack and the much-previewed US retaliation”. The paper says the “window for questions and demands [about the legitimacy of an attack] from Congress, international allies and the news media” has opened wider.
Almost 200 House members from both parties have signed letters calling on the president to seek formal congressional approval for military action.
We’re going to attack Syria, and no one should be surprised by it. The drama that justifies the invasion is hardly important, but they will think of something good.
Regardless of what they do, you should ignore the drama and concentrate on preparing yourself for WW3, and any political upheavals that occur here.
A war will be a good cover for “rounding up dissidents”, seizing property and food supplies, etc. etc.
In short, forget Syria. Don’t be distracted by their war. Keep your eyes open and be ready for ours, because it may begin at the same time.
Is there anybody in DC…who has the personal integrity to do what their local voters sent them there to do? Anybody?
Isn’t this the most pathetic thing ever…..200 representatives sign a letter to the almighty…..
Sign a letter….GOD
Impeach the bastard….NOW
You don’t sign letters, you don’t ask permission……..You do it!
Why do any of these people take an oath of office…
What a bad joke…
Our constitution is very clear….and its our most basic law…in our country.
And this bullshit happens over and over again….while innocents all around the globe are killed because we have woos-es for elected delegates….
I am ashamed….just sick of the whole thing a long time ago…
robert beason Nam vet 1969
Oh, the irony of ironies. 237 years ago the Unites States broke free from Britain because it wasn’t democratic enough.
Now Parliment presents a picture of democracy that makes America look like a dictatorship.
Yes the uSA is supposed to be a Republic, I know that. But look at where we are and what the insurgent, illegal government is doing.
Did we eventually lose the Revolutionary War?
Spanish American War- started over a American Ship Sunk
WW2- started over numerous American Ships Sunk
Vietnam- started over a so called American Ship attacked
watch out Navy for a False Flag coming your way to get the Country to lean toward Syria being attacked…
I’m pleased our parliament did vote against our involvement in any war on Syria but I am surprised it happened. It might just be that a lot of constituents have been writing to their Member of Parliament very recently, threatening that if we are dragged into another war after our objections were ignored over Iraq, they’ll personally campaign to get him voted out at the next election. If there’s one thing worse than not riding the gravy train it’s getting thrown off it.