Syria

[ohio#1nolefan]

I don't agree with policing the world, but who else is actually going to enforce the international laws which by the way,includes the use of chemical weapons....

 

[seminole97]

I don't agree with policing the world, but who else is actually going to enforce the international laws which by the way,includes the use of chemical weapons....

Mattis acknowledged in his briefing that Chlorine was used.
So that narrows it down to Assad and the pool guy.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I don't agree with policing the world, but who else is actually going to enforce the international laws which by the way,includes the use of chemical weapons....

Either Facebook or the Russians ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[noleclone2]

I don't agree with policing the world, but who else is actually going to enforce the international laws which by the way,includes the use of chemical weapons....

Ok then...but...

February 1, 2018: The third chemical weapon attack in 2018 in Douma, Damascus is reported. The two earlier attacks were reported on January 13 and January 22. Reports assess that chlorine gas was used in all attacks. At a UN Security Council briefing on February 5, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu stated that reports from the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission on these alleged attacks are pending.

April 7, 2018: Reports surface of a major chemical weapons attack in Douma, a suburb outside of Damascus, Syria, killing at least several dozen civilians. This follows smaller chlorine gas attacks that were reported in Douma on March 7 and 11. Human Rights Watch has documented 85 chemical weapons attacks since 2013 in Syria. The OPCW announces that its Fact Finding Mission is investigating the incident to determine which chemical weapons may have been used.

So five chemical attacks in 2018 prior. 85 since 2013. Why, all of a sudden the rush...what changed over the last 6 days that made us rush this response?

https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Timeline-of-Syrian-Chemical-Weapons-Activity

 

[Fijimn]

No Germany in this one

 

[ohio#1nolefan]

Ok then...but...

February 1, 2018: The third chemical weapon attack in 2018 in Douma, Damascus is reported. The two earlier attacks were reported on January 13 and January 22. Reports assess that chlorine gas was used in all attacks. At a UN Security Council briefing on February 5, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu stated that reports from the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission on these alleged attacks are pending.

April 7, 2018: Reports surface of a major chemical weapons attack in Douma, a suburb outside of Damascus, Syria, killing at least several dozen civilians. This follows smaller chlorine gas attacks that were reported in Douma on March 7 and 11. Human Rights Watch has documented 85 chemical weapons attacks since 2013 in Syria. The OPCW announces that its Fact Finding Mission is investigating the incident to determine which chemical weapons may have been used.

So five chemical attacks in 2018 prior. 85 since 2013. Why, all of a sudden the rush...what changed over the last 6 days that made us rush this response?

https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Timeline-of-Syrian-Chemical-Weapons-Activity

1)Well, there was clearly no hurry considering the numerous previous attacks..How could you possibly think this was hurried? Would a month from now have been better??
2) They were warned repeatedly
3) After the last attack a plan may have been in place if there was another

 

[TennNole17]

Wish our boys the best.

 

[seminole97]

How could you possibly think this was hurried?

I believe the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission deals more with what may or may not have been used, and not with who did it. Who did it seems worth finding out first. Are Syrian claims about over running jihadist chemical factories as bogus as Powell's claims about mobile labs?
To me it seems hurried if it happens faster than the Congress can voice its opinion.

 

[ohio#1nolefan]

I'd say several years of continued attacks is long enough to make a determination.
It's not like the admin. is alone in the actions that was taken. Obviously the UK and France along with the Arab nations felt the same way.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

A bit concerned about a lack of AUMF and communicating a cohesive strategy for the region. Admittedly there's no perfect strategy but playing it by ear is perhaps worse than actually having a nuanced strategy.

 

[DFSNOLE]

This thread has gone surprisingly well but with the latest turn of events, I see the possibility of it going downhill quickly. Thank you all for the mainly civil and non political discussion.