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U.N. monitors shot at in Syria; Annan plan crumbles

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How about trying to assassinate Assad? Might be necessary.

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Heavy weapons, armor-piercing bullets and surveillance drones have been used against U.N. observers to hamper their efforts to monitor the worsening conflict, U.N. leader Ban told the meeting. U.N. observers had seen Syrian military convoys approaching villages and tried to stop tank assaults against populated areas, but had been “ignored”, Ban told the meeting which was held only hours after a new massacre in which dozens of people were reported killed.

More proof that Assad is innocent. Not sure how, but someone will be along to explain it to us.

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After every war there is huge soul searching. How did we get into the frame of mind where it is acceptable to kill people? How do we make the switch back to where it is not acceptable to kill people? How do we educate future generations never to descend into war?

Now in Syria all sides have found it acceptable to kill people. It is logical, and it is justified, and the cycle of making examples and revenge killing is in full swing.

Assad's father suppressed rebellion by means of massive bloody retribution in the past. There is no modern world in Syria. Internal conditions require a certain response from Assad, which is what he is following. If it's a spiral, where an irresistible force meets an immovable mass, then they will have their civil war, and there is little a divided international community can or should do about it, apart from continue to urge them all to observe the Geneva Conventions as they may be liable later.

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@Super Lib:

LMAO... Well said!!

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I wonder how loudly we'll do nothing this time. The UN proves itself time and time again how useless it is as an instituion.

How do we educate future generations never to descend into war?

I heard a rather depressing but very clear speach when a memorial day parade ended at my local cemetary where the VFW commander, a WWII veteran, spoke about the sacrifice of soldiers. That his father had fought in the Great War so that his son would never have to, then he fought in WWII so that his son would never need to do so, his son fought in Vietnam for his own son, and his grandson in Desert Storm in 91 so that those unborn might never have to do so. But they do, and they always will.

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Annan renewed calls for the major powers to warn Assad of “clear consequences” if he does not comply with a six-point international peace plan, one diplomat inside a closed-door council briefing told AFP.

If I remember correctly, Annan's plan calls on both sides to cool it. But the so called rebels never complied, so what is Assad to do? The "rebels" are the ones who do not want Annan's plan to succeed.

And the entire article seems to be based on what a few (one?) diplomats said. I am somewhat skeptic of its content.

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That his father had fought in the Great War so that his son would never have to, then he fought in WWII so that his son would never need to do so, his son fought in Vietnam for his own son, and his grandson in Desert Storm in 91 so that those unborn might never have to do so. But they do, and they always will.

Indeed, then to Afganistan, then to Syria? I have been doing a soul searching since my neighbor's son was killed in Afganistan. He was only 21 years old kid with a golden heart. He was simply an American Pie. Other's are heading to Afganistan again. This is his 4th deployment. My grandson is a pilot with US Air Force after graduating the USAFA. I have been cautht between two hard rocks for current Syria's situation. This is not Libya. I really envy of Japanese young generations who never have to go to wars, but it may change.

CNN Poll: Majority of Americans oppose US intervention in Syria According to a CNN/ORC International poll released Wednesday, six in ten continue to oppose any American intervention to halt the fighting between government and anti-government forces in Syria.

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"drones had been monitoring the UN"? "armer-piercing bullets"

Drones? Armor-piercing bullets? I wonder who supplied the rebel mercenaries with those toys.

There's endless speculation on what's really going on in Syria. If anybody sitting in front of their computer in Japan claims to know the absolute truth then they're a fool.

What's clear is that the Western Powers are desperate to start another war in the Middle East and like every other war that we've witnessed the propaganda machine is on overdrive.

And unfortunately there's always a gullible segment of society for falls for the same old line "We in the west are pure and pious and our evil enemies are ruthless and deserve to die".

If you ever get a chance to meet a Syrian family and talk to them you might regret the fact that your government is hellbent on bombing them and painted them as an evil backward people.

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Drones? Armor-piercing bullets? I wonder who supplied the rebel mercenaries with those toys.

Monitoring drones have been in use for more than a decade in dozens of countries. As for the armor-piercing rounds I believe that Russia is the primary seller in that particular area of the world. Get with the times, the US rarely doles out arms like it did in the 80's and 90's, too messy. I've said it before, if the US were involved there would be substantially more deaths among the Syrian military. To date I haven't seen any evidence that any western power is supplying material amounts of weapons or strategic intelligence.

What's clear is that the Western Powers are desperate to start another war in the Middle East and like every other war that we've witnessed the propaganda machine is on overdrive.

If they really wanted to they would have done it already. They would set up something like a no-kill zone and bomb the hell out of any units that fired on the location, then they would start feeding rebel groups information on military movements and target locations. Syria is well within striking distance and their defense systems wouldn't hold up against a concerted air campaign. Are there people within the international community that wouldn't mind seeing Syrian leaders knocked down a peg? Yes. Do NATO countries have the time or patience to conduct military operations in Syria? No.

Thus far the western world has done exactly what you want them to do. They look at the situation, watch the snipers pick off people on the street, journalists getting killed by artillery shells, and thousands killed by their own government. Then they shrug and go about their business. I honestly don't see what you're on about.

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But the so called rebels never complied, so what is Assad to do?

He did not comply either. Balance, give it a try.

And the entire article seems to be based on what a few (one?) diplomats said. I am somewhat skeptic of its content.

Yes, I am sure you would be much less skeptical of some website written by a nameless person.

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Balance, give it a try.

That was exactly my point. This article has no balance. Annan's and Ban's alleged comments also lack balance.

And what is Assad to do when there are groups of foreign-backed killers roaming the country?

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America's intervention of Syria is inevitable, just a matter of when and how! This is a struggle between 'warlords'! US vs Russia,China,Iran....if Assad stay defiance to lead Syria is a terrible blow to the face of the next US president. America was dragged in a gamble that was beyond her control! Both Russia and China were buying time for Assad once if 'uncle sam' fell in the 'Stalingrad of middle east'! Either Obama or Romney will send troops to 'regieme change' if the president of US fails to topple Assad, the consequences of America's influences will be dire!

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Russia, Syria’s last major ally, and China have vetoed two council resolutions which only hinted at future sanctions.

Just ignore that toothless UN, both Russia and China must send arms to Damascus now! This is really big business!

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Jjust-a-bigguy, obuma will attempt to stage something mindless to "look tough" soon for elections. That is, unless Hilary one-ups him with a "profound statement" beforehand. Let's just get some popcorn and sit back to watch the theatrics. Then, let's hide our heads in shames.

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Shames = shame. Jjust-a-bigguy = Just-a-bigguy Sorry for the perpetual auto correct typos!

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This article has no balance. Annan's and Ban's alleged comments also lack balance.

How are they unbalanced may I ask? What part do you feel is lacking from their comments that would lend the balance you feel is lacking?

And what is Assad to do when there are groups of foreign-backed killers roaming the country?

This is where you, Never Submit and Olegek don't get it. By try to make Assad into some innocent saint and by claiming but never ever backing up the claims that foreigners are involved or backing the rebels in any great way, you defeat you own argument. I feel there should be no foreign intervention in Syria. I do not think it will improve the situation and think it will quite possibly make things not only worse, but more dangerous. If you were just to say you don't believe foreign intervention is the right path, I would be along for the ride. However, when you all start down conspiracy path, you lose your audience and big time. I think only the Syrian people should decide what their future should be. I also believe that this movement is a homegrown as I have seen absolutely no evidence to the contrary. Not yet, anyway.

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"If you ever get a chance to meet a Syrian family and talk to them you might regret the fact that your government is hellbent on bombing them and painted them as an evil backward people."

Agreed. The same thing happened when the state department covertly financed "Borat" with the intent of causing civil unrest Kazakstan, only the Blackwater mercenaries were too busy fuelling the Iraqi insurgency (I still don't get that one) to fulfil their contracts.

The US and her allies are just itching to invade Syria. The fifteen months of global inaction clearly proves this.

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If anybody sitting in front of their computer in Japan claims to know the absolute truth then they're a fool.

Just curious, are you in Japan right now?

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Perhaps we can all agree that Syria is a sovereign nation and she must solve her own problems.

And Hillary and her ilk have no business interfering.

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Perhaps we can all agree that Syria is a sovereign nation and she must solve her own problems.

I agree.

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The U.S. as a nation is tired of war. We've been in one now for a DECADE. This is the longest we've ever been fighting in a war and the toll, while not exceptional in casualties, is draining psychologically. If Obama entered us into ANOTHER war, that would guarantee his removal after the election. The Republicans KNOW this, which is why they're using our non-military response to Syria to criticize him. (Conveniently glossing over the fact that the Republican-controlled Congress would have to authorize any such entry into the Syrian Civil War)

So all of you predicting that the U.S. will somehow come storming in to save the civilians, don't hold your breath. We're tired of playing global policeman. Find someone else to play the fool this time. Better yet... Syrians: Fix your OWN damn problems! If you're not part of the rebels, DON'T LET THEM HIDE IN YOUR TOWN. If you ARE part of the rebels, STOP HIDING BEHIND CHILDREN you fricking cowards!

Can you tell I'm tired of this?

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@Fadamor, no you are not alone. You belong to a majority of Americans. We are sick of wars. Yet we are always criticized and condemned. We are not a global policeman. Now other countries have to play their share including Japan. Let them see the freedom has a high price tag. Yanks come home!!

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