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It seems like it wasn't a boring show, and given recent events, makes me wonder what the ME will look like in 5 years:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/28/politics/obama-putin-un-syria-isis/index.html

Well, maybe it is time for the US to step back and let someone else take a turn at getting blamed for everything wrong in the ME.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Well, maybe it is time for the US to step back and let someone else take a turn at getting blamed for everything wrong in the ME.

Now there's a plan I can get behind.

Yep. If Russia wants to kick the gak out of Isis, I say let em at it.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Well, maybe it is time for the US to step back and let someone else take a turn at getting blamed for everything wrong in the ME.

I love your optimism The US is going to be carrying the can for the ME for quite some time

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Well, maybe it is time for the US to step back and let someone else take a turn at getting blamed for everything wrong in the ME.

I love your optimism The US is going to be carrying the can for the ME for quite some time

Why?

I'm guessing this was the build up that led to this interesting moment between the two.



Look at the smug look on Putin's face. Dayum. Still, if he wants to kick ISIS' ass, by all means, those bastards need to be eradicated.

If Russia moves in and starts shooting up the place, I think they will rapidly take our place as the “Most hated nation”

Even if they do it with the best intentions.

The US can't step back from the ME as long as it is required to aid Israel, and you don't become POTUS if you say you'll stop it. Besides, US backing is also one of the only things that sometimes makes Israel back off from doing things their way.

Spetulhu wrote:
The US can't step back from the ME as long as it is required to aid Israel, and you don't become POTUS if you say you'll stop it. Besides, US backing is also one of the only things that sometimes makes Israel back off from doing things their way.

I remember the look on people's faces at the Democratic convention when it was announced it was part of the platform that Jerusalem was recognized as Israel's capitol. Most there looked like they had been punched in the gut.

 Frazzled wrote:

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:
I love your optimism The US is going to be carrying the can for the ME for quite some time

Why?

The intervention in Iraq which ousted Saddam and allowed the growth of ISIS in the area as sectarian divisions were allowed to flourish yet again, strengthening the Iranian position in the region by allowing them and Iraq to align themselves closer together. The ousting of Ghaddafi in Libya which has weakened the country, and also allowed the spread of militants in the region.

 Nevelon wrote:
If Russia moves in and starts shooting up the place, I think they will rapidly take our place as the “Most hated nation”

Even if they do it with the best intentions.

Russia's already stated that they want to cooperate and form a coalition with other Middle-Eastern nations to combat ISIS, rather than doing it all alone themselves or with (other?) western nations.

Spetulhu wrote:
The US can't step back from the ME as long as it is required to aid Israel, and you don't become POTUS if you say you'll stop it. Besides, US backing is also one of the only things that sometimes makes Israel back off from doing things their way.

Sure we can. We just send them stuff and the rest of it. News flash, Israel has little to do with what is going on in that hole right now.

 thenoobbomb wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:
If Russia moves in and starts shooting up the place, I think they will rapidly take our place as the “Most hated nation”

Even if they do it with the best intentions.

Russia's already stated that they want to cooperate and form a coalition with other Middle-Eastern nations to combat ISIS, rather than doing it all alone themselves or with (other?) western nations.

Why do I suddenly have in my mind an image of Hulk Hogan wrestling the Iron Shiek, and tagging off to Nikolai Volkoff?

This is Putin starting to try and rehabilitate himself and Russia after the problems caused by economic sanctions post Crimea and Ukraine.

I think we should be kicking ISIL arse as hard as possible, and the Russians are right hard bastards at arse kicking so perhaps better to have them on side than off.

Also there is the principle that it's better to have your enemy inside your tent pissing out, than outside it pissing in.

That said, Russia and Putin have got a lot of bad smell sticking to them; financed the Syrian government arms, a nti-gay rights, suspicious deaths of politocal opponents here and there, plus Crimea and Ukraine as mentioned earlier.

All things considered, though, we have a better chance of getting Russia into the family of nations than we have ISIL.

Strafing ISIL is good but it won't deal with the problem of their financial backers in Saudi Arabia.

 Kilkrazy wrote:
This is Putin starting to try and rehabilitate himself and Russia after the problems caused by economic sanctions post Crimea and Ukraine.

I think we should be kicking ISIL arse as hard as possible, and the Russians are right hard bastards at arse kicking so perhaps better to have them on side than off.

Also there is the principle that it's better to have your enemy inside your tent pissing out, than outside it pissing in.

That said, Russia and Putin have got a lot of bad smell sticking to them; financed the Syrian government arms, a nti-gay rights, suspicious deaths of politocal opponents here and there, plus Crimea and Ukraine as mentioned earlier.

All things considered, though, we have a better chance of getting Russia into the family of nations than we have ISIL.

Strafing ISIL is good but it won't deal with the problem of their financial backers in Saudi Arabia.

Very well spoken.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Well, maybe it is time for the US to step back and let someone else take a turn at getting blamed for everything wrong in the ME.

Britain's been involved in the Middle East for 200 years. Maybe the US should take a turn for a change


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Kilkrazy wrote:
This is Putin starting to try and rehabilitate himself and Russia after the problems caused by economic sanctions post Crimea and Ukraine.

I think we should be kicking ISIL arse as hard as possible, and the Russians are right hard bastards at arse kicking so perhaps better to have them on side than off.

Also there is the principle that it's better to have your enemy inside your tent pissing out, than outside it pissing in.

That said, Russia and Putin have got a lot of bad smell sticking to them; financed the Syrian government arms, a nti-gay rights, suspicious deaths of politocal opponents here and there, plus Crimea and Ukraine as mentioned earlier.

All things considered, though, we have a better chance of getting Russia into the family of nations than we have ISIL.

Strafing ISIL is good but it won't deal with the problem of their financial backers in Saudi Arabia.

Putin, as bad as he is, and I'm no fan, seems to be the only leader displaying a semblance of realpolitik.

Sadly, sometimes keeping bad guys like Saddam or Assad in power, is probably for the best. Better the devil you know. Because when these guys go, the people who rush to fill the power vacuum are a 100 times worse.

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Well, maybe it is time for the US to step back and let someone else take a turn at getting blamed for everything wrong in the ME.

Britain's been involved in the Middle East for 200 years. Maybe the US should take a turn for a change

A guy at my work was ranting about how "it's always down to America and that our allies like Britain should do something for a change", looking at me because I'm from there and therefore obviously influential in British foreign policy.

I wanted to slap the ignorance out of him on so many levels.

 Frazzled wrote:

Spetulhu wrote:
The US can't step back from the ME as long as it is required to aid Israel, and you don't become POTUS if you say you'll stop it. Besides, US backing is also one of the only things that sometimes makes Israel back off from doing things their way.

Sure we can. We just send them stuff and the rest of it. News flash, Israel has little to do with what is going on in that hole right now.

But Frazz, sometimes you guys are reluctant even to send people stuff.

For example, in Ukraine, Obama didn't want America involved, which is fair enough, but when the Ukrainians asked for more heavy weapons and offensive stuff to do the fighting themselves, America was reluctant to do even that. Ukraine ended up getting food rations and night vision goggles, which useful as they are, will not destroy a Russian tank.

@ Alex:

Did you ask him if he watched the news or just get what he knew out of "Real Man's Two Fisted Tales" Monthly.


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 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:

Spetulhu wrote:
The US can't step back from the ME as long as it is required to aid Israel, and you don't become POTUS if you say you'll stop it. Besides, US backing is also one of the only things that sometimes makes Israel back off from doing things their way.

Sure we can. We just send them stuff and the rest of it. News flash, Israel has little to do with what is going on in that hole right now.

But Frazz, sometimes you guys are reluctant even to send people stuff.

For example, in Ukraine, Obama didn't want America involved, which is fair enough, but when the Ukrainians asked for more heavy weapons and offensive stuff to do the fighting themselves, America was reluctant to do even that. Ukraine ended up getting food rations and night vision goggles, which useful as they are, will not destroy a Russian tank.

To tell the truth, we just might as well send ISIS the stuff and cut out the middle man.

 Alex C wrote:

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Well, maybe it is time for the US to step back and let someone else take a turn at getting blamed for everything wrong in the ME.

Britain's been involved in the Middle East for 200 years. Maybe the US should take a turn for a change

A guy at my work was ranting about how "it's always down to America and that our allies like Britain should do something for a change", looking at me because I'm from there and therefore obviously influential in British foreign policy.

I wanted to slap the ignorance out of him on so many levels.

Well, here's a few things that Britain has done in the Middle East. Yes, most of these things were for the glory of the British Empire, and to hell with everybody, but the point remains.

Defeated the French at the Battle of the Nile

Built the Suez Canal with the French

Teamed up with America to defeat the Barbary Pirates

Defeated the Ottoman Empire

Carved up the Ottoman Empire with the French 5 minutes later

Established the foundations for Israel with the Balfour declaration

Grabbed the oil fields in Arabia

Defeated the Italians in WW2

Defeated Rommel in North Africa

Showed the American Army how to fight in a modern war after Rommel defeated the Americans at Kasserine Pass. Joking

Tried to grab back the Suez canal in the 1950s. Eisenhower said Hell No!

And a few other things involving Saddam or something.

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:

Spetulhu wrote:
The US can't step back from the ME as long as it is required to aid Israel, and you don't become POTUS if you say you'll stop it. Besides, US backing is also one of the only things that sometimes makes Israel back off from doing things their way.

Sure we can. We just send them stuff and the rest of it. News flash, Israel has little to do with what is going on in that hole right now.

But Frazz, sometimes you guys are reluctant even to send people stuff.

For example, in Ukraine, Obama didn't want America involved, which is fair enough, but when the Ukrainians asked for more heavy weapons and offensive stuff to do the fighting themselves, America was reluctant to do even that. Ukraine ended up getting food rations and night vision goggles, which useful as they are, will not destroy a Russian tank.

We have no interest in Ukraine. I'm not into restarting WWIII thank you.

Couldn't help but think of this cartoon reading this thread.

 Kilkrazy wrote:
This is Putin starting to try and rehabilitate himself and Russia after the problems caused by economic sanctions post Crimea and Ukraine.

I think we should be kicking ISIL arse as hard as possible, and the Russians are right hard bastards at arse kicking so perhaps better to have them on side than off.

Also there is the principle that it's better to have your enemy inside your tent pissing out, than outside it pissing in.

That said, Russia and Putin have got a lot of bad smell sticking to them; financed the Syrian government arms, a nti-gay rights, suspicious deaths of politocal opponents here and there, plus Crimea and Ukraine as mentioned earlier.

All things considered, though, we have a better chance of getting Russia into the family of nations than we have ISIL.

Strafing ISIL is good but it won't deal with the problem of their financial backers in Saudi Arabia.

Russia also has a more compliant media, and cares less about what the international community thinks about them

It's hard to be the leader of the world when you have the kids in the backseat fighting and arguing about what a gakky driver you are.

 d-usa wrote:
It's hard to be the leader of the world when you have the kids in the backseat fighting and arguing about what a gakky driver you are.

I thought dissent was the highest form of patriotism? Or was that only under the prior Administration?

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Well, maybe it is time for the US to step back and let someone else take a turn at getting blamed for everything wrong in the ME.

Genius

Ever get the feeling Putin has a higher approval rating in the US then Obama

I was actually rooting Putin on in the UN

 d-usa wrote:
It's hard to be the leader of the world when you have the kids in the backseat fighting and arguing about what a gakky driver you are.

There are times when the leader of the world has to turn round and hand out some chin music.

 Kilkrazy wrote:

 d-usa wrote:
It's hard to be the leader of the world when you have the kids in the backseat fighting and arguing about what a gakky driver you are.

There are times when the leader of the world has to turn round and hand out some chin music.

Which definition of that do you mean, though?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 d-usa wrote:
It's hard to be the leader of the world when you have the kids in the backseat fighting and arguing about what a gakky driver you are.

Are you saying that people shouldn't exercise their right to express an opinion on Obama?