Armchair Critic, welcome to OLO. Your brief comment shows that you have a brain and actually use it, unlike some on this forum.

That you have identified the U.S. as a terrorist nation is great. We only have to convince the other 22 million Australians now!

Cheers.

When a slow-motion massacre has unfolded over the course of [40] months, it's easy to lose the world's attention. But even the most jaded gasped in horror as news emerged of the latest carnage inflicted on the Syrian people. The images from the town of Houla defied belief.

Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad went on a systematic killing spree, murdering at least 108 people. Most shockingly, the killers targeted women and children. A U.N. representative said the victims included 49 children who were younger than 10. The al-Assad regime denied it carried out the atrocities, but U.N. officials said they saw clear evidence that the Syrian government was involved in the attacks.

Why would a regime, even a brutal dictatorship, send its thugs to kill women and children, even babies? Does it make any sense, even by the twisted logic of armed conflict and tyranny?

Syria says regime not to blame for massacre; Rice says 'another blatant lie'

In a most perverse, sickening way, it makes perfect sense. And for the logic underlying this most inhuman tactic, one need only look at what has transpired in recent months and years as uprisings have sprung throughout the region, from Iran to Tunisia.

Now that Tehran has -- perhaps accidentally -- revealed that it has sent some of its forces to help al-Assad, the strategy has become even easier to understand.

Who shelled, murdered children in Syria? Al-Assad denies murdering Houla children.

The Syrian dictator is trying to restore a balance of fear, perhaps the most powerful weapon in the hands of tyrants throughout history. Killing children is supposed to intimidate the opposition.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/31/opinion/ghitis-syria-killing-children/index.html

Hello everyone,
Thanks for the warm welcome David G.
Although I consider the US Govt a terrorist organisation based on their foreign policy I certainly dont consider the average American Joe a terrorist.
They're just regular people, maybe a little ignorant and foolish for allowing their leaders to do such terrible things in the name of national interests and national security but not so different to us here at home. Although the US has its problems, I believe the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are great things, and although the right to bear arms was essentially given after they fought the British and a right given in the event of being ruled by a tyrannical government, I dont think violence is the answer. What US citizens should do is kick their corrupt leaders out of office. Also, I'd like to say that when the mainstream media (MSM) does not give the full story or openly sells propaganda or mistruths then real democracy is essentially impossible.

Plantagenet.. Im thinking your comment mightve been an attempt to sway my opinion the other way against Assad but I'm not sure.
What I want to say here is that you cant take what the MSM says to be the truth these days without question, with false flags and propoganda being a part of war process. I'll add this link.. http://www.infowars.com/implosion-of-the-houla-massacre-story-is-anyone-paying-attention/
If you do a search for 'Houla' on that sites search you will find many more stories like this.
It says that 90% of the women and children killed in that massacre were actually Alawite or Shia and its hard for me to think that Assad would have anything to gain by doing this to his own people. It is known however that the rebels staged the chemical attacks as a false flag in order to try to get the US involved in the Syrian conflict. Im not without compassion towards the innocents killed, but I wont be easily sold by the propoganda war that aims to gain ground by playing the 'Won't somebody please think of the children' card. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RybNI0KB1bg

Hi Armchair Critic

Thanks for the links.

Its only a matter of time before Australian Super Hornets will be bombing IS and AQ targets in Syria. By doing so Australia will be helping to protect the status quo government of President Assad.

Israel also prefers the Assad Government.

Thats the Middle East. Baddies versus baddies said the sage :)

Pete

That's right, Pete,

Of course Israel would prefer that Assad stay in power rather than be overthrown by ISIL. So of course, there would be talks going on via back channels between Israel and Iran.

Of course Obama has the mammoth task of keeping Iran and the Saudis apart, i.e. to keep Iran from intervening openly in the war against ISIL.

And strange as it may seem, the US has to be careful NOT to kill either the head of ISIL, or Sheikh Omar in Afghanistan, each claiming to be the emir, or the next in line to be caliph (well, al-Baghdadi actually claims to be the caliph) because if one goes, the whole lot will unite, al Qa'ida and ISIL, under one caliph. Better divided enemies than one enemy.

Not that the Yanks are in control of all the forces at work, of course. So the killing of one of the other could still come to pass. Then it's on.

Joe

Hi Joe

Along the lines you say the US appears to be playing a pretty shrewd game - pulling many strings to keep these players busy. Whether the US can keep this wide-ranging strategy together time will tell.

Al-Baghdadi, as well as religious may be venal, a strength or weakness.

Sheikh Omar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Omar_Saeed_Sheikh appears in many ways a latter-day Carlos the Jackal, a terrorist for hire with many connections. Omar's connections include Pakistan's ISI which in turn has broad connections with the Taliban and also the Kabul Government.

Regards

Pete