Arad: Attack On Syria May Not be a Good Idea
Arad: Attack On Syria May Not be a Good Idea – Defense/Security – News – Israel National News.
By David Lev
Former National Security Council director Uzi Arad said Sunday that he was not sure an attack on Bashar al-Assad’s forces would be successful, or a good idea altogether.
Speaking Sunday at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism’s (ICT) World Summit on Counter-Terrorism, taking place at the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Arad said that President Barack H. Obama had bitten off more than he could chew, and that the best thing he could do now was extricate himself from the corner he had backed himself into with as much dignity as possible.
“Syria is not a signatory to international conventions against the use of chemical weapons,” said Arad, so the legal basis for intervention by the West was somewhat shoddy. “You cannot say that Assad violated an international convention Syria is not signed onto.” Assad, therefore, sees no reason not to use such weapons against anyone he feels threatens his rule.
As a result, Arad said, there is a real possibility that any country that takes on Assad may find itself mired in a very ugly situation. “I find it hard to believe that intervention will bring about a substantially better situation,” he said. “The best thing now would be for Obama to carefully bring the crisis to an end, without creating negative ramifications in the region and the world, whether before or after an attack,” Arad added.
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WarSclerotic 
September 9, 2013 at 2:48 PM
”Expect everything if you’ll attack Syria”, Assad just threatened the USA in a CBS interview earlier this morning.
”Expect everything…”…hm. That’s a weird way to address to the American people and trying to make his case. If he – he, Assad, the ophthalmologist by day and the poisoned gasman by night – is threatening us now, when the US ”Damocles sword” is upon him, what he will do when all this farce will come to an end and he will feel free from any US threats? What Assad will do then? What Iran will do? And, what Israel should do in the very moment that the USA will retreat from this region, because lets be clear: after the latest events, not Britain, neither US will be able to maintain their actual position in the Middle East. And, who knows? May be even they don’t want to.
September 9, 2013 at 3:03 PM
”Expect everything if you’ll attack Syria”, Assad just threatened the USA in a CBS interview earlier this morning.
Assad’s best offence now is to spook as many Americas as he can. Smart stratagy actually.
“And, what Israel should do in the very moment that the USA will retreat from this region, because lets be clear: after the latest events, not Britain, neither US will be able to maintain their actual position in the Middle East.” Quite true. Israel has only two choices, do nothing and hope Fortess Israel holds forever, or go proactive and deal with Iran. Tough choices both!
September 9, 2013 at 3:08 PM
I knew you’ll answer that. Fair.
September 9, 2013 at 3:07 PM
I was just playing a ”GO” game with the computer – the ”Wei Qi” ancient game of GO, a Chinese game – and I was asking myself the most stupid question I could ask: Is Obama going to attack? Will he retreat? The answers to this questions can change the world, as we know it. Good material for thinking, until the end of this week.
September 9, 2013 at 3:29 PM
Don’t think too much. That’s like trying to predict the actions of a madman.
Indeed, we’re living in surreal times. If you have told what we are witnessing now twenty years ago to someone he would have questioned your mental sanity.
Thank the Lord, that I have a job to do which keeps my mind sane and brings me back to logic and reason.
September 9, 2013 at 4:33 PM
Ok, I have some things to tell to our honorable readers here. I’ve just finished to watch the daily Israeli tv program ” Erev Hadash” (New Evening), where Dan Margalit – a well known Israeli news anchor – interviewed people who, besides their titles in science, have a deep understanding in the American politics. Such people were, this time, Dany Ayalon and the professor Uzi Rabi, both well known in Israel, while Uzi Rabi is a ”heavy caliber” regarding the middle east conflict and the countries involved. Anyhow, after a breathtaking conversation – from my point of view – Dan Margalit asked The Question : Will the Congress back up Obama or not, and guess what? To my big surprise- because I already lost hope on that- both men answered yes to that question bringing, of course their arguments. May be we are still in for a surprise, after all.
September 9, 2013 at 5:17 PM
Luis, not sure how they could possible know that? Wishful thinking?
But as they say, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings and I do not see or hear any fat ladies singing. So here’s a toast for hope.
September 9, 2013 at 6:19 PM
Strikes are looking less likely each day that passes.
September 11, 2013 at 7:58 AM
There will be no strike.The crisis is over.Putin and company are giving the final touches to the diplomatic solution.And Obama will have no choice but to accept the escape hatch Putin has provided from the corner Obama cornered himself.Obama is no match for Putin .I have said it before-Putin has to be the most dangerous leader in the world.Master strategist and without a doubt a gifted tactician. Russia is generally lucky to have someone like Putin at the helm of that nation in these perilous times.Without a doubt Putin will go down in Russian history as one of its greatest leaders.Even if his style of governance is ruthless.
September 11, 2013 at 10:25 AM
”Russia is generally lucky to have someone like Putin at the helm of that nation in these perilous times”; Also was Germany, bloody lucky, when Hitler took the power in ’33. We all know how that has ended.