The UN is crazy......... Syria

[Super Nova]

Russia selling anti aircraft weapons is not going to have any impact on the internal struggle. The west selling smaller arms to the rebels will. Russia's move is a bit like when the US sold anti aircraft weapons to the Afghans, except that the west is not attempting to occupy Syria. The American's can drop bombs from a great height if needed.

Russia probably just wants to avoid another American army on it's doorstep, and is trying to prevent that in a way that does not stop the US from directing the outcome in Syria. It sounds like it is drawing a line,, saying how far it will let the US go, rather than saying the west should stay out completely.

"It sounds like it is drawing a line,, saying how far it will let the US go". I like this theory... let's see what comes out from the G20 meetings starting today.

[Neferti]

Russia selling anti aircraft weapons is not going to have any impact on the internal struggle. The west selling smaller arms to the rebels will. Russia's move is a bit like when the US sold anti aircraft weapons to the Afghans, except that the west is not attempting to occupy Syria. The American's can drop bombs from a great height if needed.

Russia probably just wants to avoid another American army on it's doorstep, and is trying to prevent that in a way that does not stop the US from directing the outcome in Syria. It sounds like it is drawing a line,, saying how far it will let the US go, rather than saying the west should stay out completely.

"It sounds like it is drawing a line,, saying how far it will let the US go". I like this theory... let's see what comes out from the G20 meetings starting today.

I thought that the G20 was all about the economy? It is the G8 that is about security and Australia is NOT a member.

The UN is a bunch of has beens an ideal getaway for Krudd.

[Super Nova]

I thought that the G20 was all about the economy? It is the G8 that is about security and Australia is NOT a member.

The UN is a bunch of has beens an ideal getaway for Krudd.

It is suppose to be but they are saying on the radio this morning that Syria will be a dominating topic at the G20.

[Neferti]

I thought that the G20 was all about the economy? It is the G8 that is about security and Australia is NOT a member.

The UN is a bunch of has beens an ideal getaway for Krudd.

It is suppose to be but they are saying on the radio this morning that Syria will be a dominating topic at the G20.

Really? I tend to tune out when they mention the Middle East and "war" in the same sentence.

[Super Nova]

Really? I tend to tune out when they mention the Middle East and "war" in the same sentence.

I don't because I do see this as something that will effect us all if it is mishandled.

And I just don't understand why these guys have to be at war when they believe in the same version of a God.

However... this is important to understand for context.

Sunni and Shia Islam are the two major denominations of Islam. The demographic breakdown between the two denominations is difficult to assess and varies by source, but a good approximation is that 80–90% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and 10–20% are Shia,[1][2] with most Shias belonging to the Twelve tradition and the rest divided between several other groups.[1]

Sunnis are a majority in most Muslim communities: in South East Asia, China, South Asia, Africa, and some of the Arab world. Shia make up the majority of the citizen population in Iran, Iraq and Bahrain, as well as being a politically significant minority in Lebanon. Azerbaijan is predominantly Shia, however practicing adherents are much lower.[3] Pakistan has the largest sunni and second-largest Shia Muslim (Twelver) population in the world.

The historic background of the Sunni–Shia split lies in the schism that occurred when the Islamic prophet Muhammad died in the year 632, leading to a dispute over succession to Muhammad as a caliph of the Islamic community spread across various parts of the world which led to the Battle of Siffin. The dispute intensified greatly after the Battle of Karbala, in which Hussein ibn Ali and his household were killed by the ruling Umayyad Caliph Yazid I, and the outcry for his revenge divided the early Islamic community. Today there are differences in religious practice, traditions and customs, often related to jurisprudence. Although all Muslim groups consider the Quran to be divine, Sunni and Shia have different opinions on hadith.

Over the years, Sunni–Shia relations have been marked by both cooperation and conflict. Sectarian violence persists to this day from Pakistan to Yemen and is a major element of friction throughout the Middle East.[4][5] Tensions between communities have intensified during power struggles, such as the Bahraini uprising, the Iraq War, and most recently the Syrian civil war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi%27a%E2 ... _relations

I think while these fundamental differences between them exist, the west needs to leave it to them. We cannot help.... sadly.

[Rorschach]

The American attitude...

Obama says he is right everyone else is wrong... hmmmm.

[Super Nova]

I think the US will hurt itself if they do not get Un support on this one.

The Russian are playing a good game here.

The US has to find a way for any action to be in Russia self interest. It will be interesting to see if anything comes from the G20 meeting.

[babette]

Have the US always waited for UN approval before engaging in a conflict?

[IQS.RLOW]

Have the US always waited for UN approval before engaging in a conflict?

Hi Aussie!

[babette]

Is that a Yes or is that a No?
Or is it I dont know?