The War on Terror /Central Asia/Mid East/Africa thread

[Kaius]

Yeah, I don't understand that approach either. You can learn from old mistakes and adjust accordingly while being cautious. You can't give lives back after you've laid them to waste with bombs and drone strikes. I mean, didnt this entire discussion begin over a disagreement about whether aggressive military action by France and eventually it's allies (inc. the USofA) was the proper response? What that "something" is was the basis of this entire debate.

[pnjguy]

why are the masterminds behind the attacks 'hiding?'

[nyquillyn]

First of all, we fucking know that some of our Mideast "allies" are funding ISIS and other terrorist originations. How about holding them accountable? I'm willing to pay $6 a gallon to feel safer.
Second, try to "normalize" relations with some of the "moderate" Islamic countries. As track11 has eluded to, it's clear not every country is a terrorist state. Let's try to build some relationships. I know that sounds kinda retard and simple, but fuck, are we really gonna give up a chance on building some kind of coalition with moderate Muslim countries over bad blood from the '70s?
Third, if we go into someplace, we can't just go in, beat the "bad guys", then leave. We have to be willing to actually commit to shit. I hate to agree with McCain's dumb ass on anything, but...

[4/5]

Third, if we go into someplace, we can't just go in, beat the "bad guys", then leave. We have to be willing to actually commit to shit. I hate to agree with McCain's dumb ass on anything, but...

And this is why it's so important to make sure that going in is the best option at our disposal. It can't be a reactionary decision resulting from fear/anger/emotion/patriotism.

**I'm not saying that to debate you, I'm adding my two cents to something you said that is probably correct.

[Kaius]

First of all, we fucking know that some of our Mideast "allies" are funding ISIS and other terrorist originations. How about holding them accountable? I'm willing to pay $6 a gallon to feel safer.
Second, try to "normalize" relations with some of the "moderate" Islamic countries. As track11 has eluded to, it's clear not every country is a terrorist state. Let's try to build some relationships. I know that sounds kinda retard and simple, but fuck, are we really gonna give up a chance on building some kind of coalition with moderate Muslim countries over bad blood from the '70s?
Third, if we go into someplace, we can't just go in, beat the "bad guys", then leave. We have to be willing to actually commit to shit. I hate to agree with McCain's dumb ass on anything, but...

As stated, I pretty much agree with everything here, with 4/5's following qualifier post.

[Norah]

First of all, we fucking know that some of our Mideast "allies" are funding ISIS and other terrorist originations. How about holding them accountable? I'm willing to pay $6 a gallon to feel safer.
Second, try to "normalize" relations with some of the "moderate" Islamic countries. As track11 has eluded to, it's clear not every country is a terrorist state. Let's try to build some relationships. I know that sounds kinda retard and simple, but fuck, are we really gonna give up a chance on building some kind of coalition with moderate Muslim countries over bad blood from the '70s?
Third, if we go into someplace, we can't just go in, beat the "bad guys", then leave. We have to be willing to actually commit to shit. I hate to agree with McCain's dumb ass on anything, but...

As stated, I pretty much agree with everything here, with 4/5 following qualifier post.

me too

[Kaius]

Why did we ever fight? Were we scared of getting too close?

[Strat]

i just don't believe that we should have to setup troops and base in these countries indefinitely. I dont think that is solving the root problem of many of the issues in the Middle East.

[Norah]

like '2black said, we should probably call out the saudi elephant in the room

[Kaius]

And to add to t2b's post: the fact that we aren't closer to Iran really makes me want to put on a tinfoil hat. Maybe it's ignorance, or the Israel effect, but it seems like we should share more values than not in relation to "peace in the Middle East".

[nyquillyn]

Those 3 points being said, I DO think we should be in Syria AND be prepared to stay a while. And there should be airstrikes. I mean there's no good answer there, but our arming Kurdish rebels was a fucking joke.

I still can't fucking believe that backing Assad seems to be the best fucking answer.

[Kaius]

like '2black said, we should probably call out the saudi elephant in the room

That's something else that makes me feel like something fishy is going on behind the scenes. We have a significant relationship with the Saudis given the sizable influx of higher ed. Saudi students and our economic ties. Why are they never called out?

[BurtReynolds]

Who in the middle east has given any indication that they want to fight ISIS ? They don't seem very interested in doing anything about them, and they seem poorly equipped/trained to do anything. It's going to take outside intervention I'm afraid.

[BurtReynolds]

And work with middle eastern allies, to what end? If it's just to arm/train/coordinate with fighting a war with ISIS, won't that just be seen as more Western intervention? We'll be criticized for helping Iran over ISIS in the same way we are criticized for helping Iraq vs Iran, or al qaeda vs the Soviets. It won't matter to the critics.

[jwfocker]

Just purchased a venti iced coffee to honor this thread. Straight black of course because I'm not a animal.

Is there any way I can construe this as you being racist?

well it was the blonde roast because I need the caffeine.

[E.H. Ruddock]

[Strat]

yes lets listen to putin on how to treat our citizens.

[Chris_H_2]

http://thankyoubasedball.com/2015/11/18 ... tter-idea/

[BurtReynolds]

Jesus was kind of an idiot though. Dumbass got himself crucified.

[pnjguy]

The best course of action is to continue to grind and degrade them out of existence. Which has been happening. A grandiose airstrike or use of ground forces will just get political and do more harm than good.

It's also important to mention that ISIS wants the world population to turn against Muslims. That's their goal, so stop helping them.