Thread: The crisis in Syria

I think both Obama and Putin deserve credit if this plan can forestall a global conflict! But Americans are more likely to see Obama as the "victor" here because many of them have an intense (and unjustified) hatred for Putin. Right-wing Americans are only praising Putin because they hate Obama. The moment Putin does something that isn't in line with Republican core "values" they will go back to their Cold War era "Red Dawn" inspired hatred of Putin and all things Russian.

As for Obama's language during his address to the nation last night: I was nodding my head enthusiastically though the first few moments of his speech, but when he slipped into the rhetoric about how the US must be the World Police and all, I was shaking my head and saying, "oh please just shut up and stop while you're ahead."

My husband told me to calm down and said, "he has to add all that rhetoric to please the mass majority of constituents who fall for that stuff." But listen carefully to his words. He said "action" would be needed. He did not specifically say "military action". So Obama stated that our troops are "standing by" and ready to strike if Assad does not cooperate with the international team, he did not state that the strike will commence regardless.

The significant thing he said was at the beginning of the speech, where he stated that the Congressional vote for military action has been "postponed." He also gave Putin some credit and talked about cooperation with Russia and other nations - and this is a HUGE step which should not be overlooked!

For the US to COOPERATE with Russia and other nations is practically revolutionary during this era of America's "lone cowboy" antics of running roughshod all around the globe without seeking anyone's permission!

I am beginning to believe that my husband has been right all along, and that Obama actually is playing a very complex and masterful game of chess here. He got to appear strong by calling for the airstrikes, then he got to show his "respect for the people" by putting the vote to the right-wing-majority Congress, all the while knowing they would disapprove because they disapprove of everything he tries to do. Meanwhile, he met privately with Putin while he was in St. Petersburg, and they worked out this brilliant diplomatic plan to disarm Syria of its chemical weapons.

Of course this could still be completely wrong and he could turn around and announce that we will attack Syria after all. But I rather doubt that. I think if anyone makes a new proposal to attack Syria, it will be the right-wing neocons who will jump on the idea - but only after Obama abandons it completely.

Originally Posted by Deborski

He also gave Putin some credit and talked about cooperation with Russia and other nations

Я обратил внимание на формулировки.
1. Амерканцы сделали вид, то это их заслуга. Мол, Америка надавила на Сирию, заставила сотрудничать Россию, и результат пришёл. Да здравствует сила.
2. Путин в своём выступлении был дипломатичен. Не говорил, что это победа России, или что Америка была поймана на слове. Тем самым даёт Обаме шанс сохранить лицо.

Но это риторика, главное результат.

P.S. А как зовут журналиста, задавшего в Лондоне вопрос Керри? Его тоже надо наградить.

Originally Posted by Юрка

Я обратил внимание на формулировки.
1. Амерканцы сделали вид, то это их заслуга. Мол, Америка надавила на Сирию, заставила сотрудничать Россию, и результат пришёл. Да здравствует сила.
2. Путин в своём выступлении был дипломатичен. Не говорил, что это победа России, или что Америка была поймана на слове. Тем самым даёт Обаме шанс сохранить лицо.

Но это риторика, главное результат.

P.S. А как зовут журналиста, задавшего в Лондоне вопрос Керри? Его тоже надо наградить.

Я согласна, что это риторика. Я не люблю реторику, но что делать? Вот наши руководители так говорят постояно. Я предпочитаю, чтобы они говорили прямо и честно, но это лишь мечта.