Should Tezza Listen To St Tony?

[ToraToraTora]

https://news.sky.com/story/tony-blair-uk-will-have-to-intervene-in-syria-or-give-carte-blanche-for-chemical-weapons-attacks-11324987
His own record is not exactly exemplary in this area.

[scooping]

No.

[dannyk13]

Definitely not.The man is a charlatan.

[Kromovaracun]

With what is the UK supposed to intervene? We played a walk-on part in Iraq (or at least in the actual war itself rather than the diplomacy preceding it) and lost 180 servicepeople doing so, killed thousands of innocent Iraqis, incurred vast financial cost - and reputational cost - in doing so, and have nothing really to show for it. Our conventional forces are essentially nonexistent (having been sacrificed to the altar of Trident).

We're a minor power playing at being a great one, and this dangerous delusion has to stop. It's all very well to cry "Do something!" but we're simply not positioned to.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't rate Blair's view on anything; but that said one needs to stand up for what is right. The area needs peace, and letting atrocities continue by turning a blind eye is not a good thing and won't bring conflict to an earlier end.

[Old_Geezer]

Anyone can support. Or they can turn away.

[Jackdaw33]

Syria has nothing to do with us, as indeed did Iraq. Whatever Blair says on any topic, the opposite will be true.

[ToraToraTora]

I tend to agree that it makes little difference militarily if we get involved if the septics are doing it anyway but politically it means that we are seen as helping however token our effort is. So fly a few sorties in support of the US and be done with it.

[ichkeria]

I agree with Tora (for once)
We do have the capability to hit Syria from outside its airspace. If the US and France move we should join in, if only not to be left out and have France outdo us. So it is important politically. However consideration should be given to actually deterring the culprits. Trump's action last year didn't stop Assad continuing to use chemical weapons, albeit it he seemed to do it rather more discreetly for a while. A few cruise missiles, as last time, is not a lot of use. What WOULD be of use, I am not sure. But a military response would need to go a lot further.

[ToraToraTora]

I think they should target Assad personally, level all his palaces etc, hopefully he'll be in one of them. Then the Syrian public will do the rest.

[ichkeria]

It's a tempting thought, but it would probably only make matters worse. It isn't only Assad, but his tribe of Alawites, and many Syrians owe their livelihood to him. Taking Assad out would likely only make matters worse.
I will repeat though, that it is a tempting thought :-)

[Kromovaracun]

//if only not to be left out and have France outdo us. //

I don't understand this point of view. Surely it is about more than willy-waving?

[emmie]

not for all the tea in China, the man is beyond redemption

[Jackdaw33]

//I think they should target Assad personally, level all his palaces etc, hopefully he'll be in one of them. \\

Look what happened when they did that to Saddam.

[hereIam]

No, No, NO!!

[ichkeria]

It isn't a question of willy waving.
Willingwaving perhaps.

[youngmafbog]

The general rule is "If his Tonyness says something then do the opposite".

[Jackdaw33]

10 years ago I was falsely diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on the basis of a non-fasting blood test.

[Jackdaw33]

Wrong thread. mod please remove.

[ichkeria]

- Trump cancels Latin America trip
- UK preparing air base in Cyprus
- Two Macron-Trump calls
- US jets circling Syria coast
- Saudi signals active support
- US demands UNSC vote for 8pm
Chances for air strikes on Syria tonight at 90%.

[Baldric]

St Tony has nothing to say of interest to anyone other than himself imo.