The fighting in Syria.

[Swampy]

Turkey has requested Patriot surface-to-air missiles to be placed on the border, which has riled Syria, even as Syrianplanes bomb a rebel base near the border.

The rebels seem to be getting closer to Damascus, which implies they'll eventually win. Nato must therefore make allies among the rebels, particularly those who have a pro-democracy bent, and, so far, Britain has recognized the government.

[Swampy]

The rebels have taken over two bases in a week - the Sheik Suleiman and another one in Aleppo.

The fighters are, however, Islamicist, so I'm getting concerned.

[Sir John]

"I'm getting concerned."


Why? This is all part of the "Arab Spring" or whatever. It is a sign that peace and democracy are coming to the Middle East and all will be right with the world.

Our peace loving muslim brothers will also live in peace and harmony with their neighbours in Israel.

Hillary Clinton said so!


SJ

[Sir John]

Meanwhile, things are going well in Egypt.


www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-16/islamists-claim-victory-in-first-round-of-egypt-referendum/4430488

SJ

[Swampy]

That could just be the first round, though. And, if Morsi has absolute power, he may want to be like Mubarak and come to terms with the US. Don't forget, furthermore, that many Egyptian military officers have American influences and so would be more modern in their thinking.

[Sir John]

All the thinking in islam is done in the mosque, not in the barracks, or in the home.

[Swampy]

Dec 16, 2012 17:54:34 GMT -5 Sir John said:

All the thinking in islam is done in the mosque, not in the barracks, or in the home.

That's why the soldiers are not religious fundamentalists - the home and the barracks have given us two openings.

Anyway, Syria has bombed a Palestinian mosque in Damascus, killing 25. If Israel had done it ...

[bluejay77]

Is the old Suez Canal operative?

If there were a pro-West government in Syria, then we might be able to draw oil pipelines into the Mediterranean coast from the Arabian oil fields, and save some $$$$ in the cost of transporting the Arabian oil.