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[Sheb]

Easier to make semi-plausible denial by shooting it up rather than by banning any help from coming in.

As for the ceasefire, it does seem that even though Syria called it off a few hours before its normal expiration, the convoy was hit after the normal time, although precise info is really hard to find.

And if Obama wanted to strike Syria, why didn't he? The whole denfensive establishment was pushing him to do it, and his credibility was on the line. The fact that he accepted the way out offered by Russia re:weapons is a good sign he did not want to strike.

[Powder Miner]

What, in that situation, could Russia actually do to block us?

[miljan]

Easier to make semi-plausible denial by shooting it up rather than by banning any help from coming in.

As for the ceasefire, it does seem that even though Syria called it off a few hours before its normal expiration, the convoy was hit after the normal time, although precise info is really hard to find.

And if Obama wanted to strike Syria, why didn't he? The whole denfensive establishment was pushing him to do it, and his credibility was on the line. The fact that he accepted the way out offered by Russia re:weapons is a good sign he did not want to strike.

What the hack are you talking about. No, its easier to prevent it from entering on any basis (like you know its not safe as it was not), than allowing it to enter and then bombing it on purpose. Because bombing it you will look a lot worse than just not allowing in aid. I dont know how can you claim anything different, except if you are extremely biased to ignore simple logic with this.

He did not strike it because a big part of those defensive establishment you talked about was also against it.

[smjjames]

Easier to make semi-plausible denial by shooting it up rather than by banning any help from coming in.

As for the ceasefire, it does seem that even though Syria called it off a few hours before its normal expiration, the convoy was hit after the normal time, although precise info is really hard to find.

And if Obama wanted to strike Syria, why didn't he? The whole denfensive establishment was pushing him to do it, and his credibility was on the line. The fact that he accepted the way out offered by Russia re:weapons is a good sign he did not want to strike.

That and he REALLY, REALLY didn't want us to get mired into another clusterfuck of a MidEast war. Even though Syria was one of those cases where intervention actually was needed. Of course though, his refusal to strongly enforce his red lines like 'Cross this.. you die...' (okay, not THAT strongly) didn't help things either. He's more of a peace dove than a war hawk, but a peace dove can still be strong.

[Sheb]

That and he REALLY, REALLY didn't want us to get mired into another clusterfuck of a MidEast war. Even though Syria was one of those cases where intervention actually was needed. Of course though, his refusal to strongly enforce his red lines like 'Cross this.. you die...' (okay, not THAT strongly) didn't help things either. He's more of a peace dove than a war hawk, but a peace dove can still be strong.

So we agree he didn't want to bomb Syria.

Miljan: After bombing hospitals, gassing civilians, barrel-bombing markets (and then dropping another barrel-bomb on top to kill the rescuer) I don't think the Syrian regime care that much about PR. The approval process for convoy is a multi-sided affair. The regime and russia did stall as much as possible (since apparently no other convoy made it during the ceasefire). Maybe they couldn't stall that one anymore.

[Helgoland]

Or some regime official fucked up and let the convoy pass even though he wasn't supposed to. It might even be a matter of various regime factions working against each other.

[miljan]

Miljan: After bombing hospitals, gassing civilians, barrel-bombing markets (and then dropping another barrel-bomb on top to kill the rescuer) I don't think the Syrian regime care that much about PR. The approval process for convoy is a multi-sided affair. The regime and russia did stall as much as possible (since apparently no other convoy made it during the ceasefire). Maybe they couldn't stall that one anymore.

Normally that they do care. Also less thing like gassing civilians and targeting them and similar crap. They do not care for civilians to waste ammunition on them. They will target all the locations of rebel forces. And most of time rebels will be located with a lot of civilian infrastructure around them. Thats why you see hospital hit and market hits, including this convoy. Anyway, that was not the only convoy entering syria, and also you should know that a lot of UN aid convoys go to regime controlled areas, so all those facts are saying that this was a mistake as there is simply no reason to allow a convoy enter and then bomb it. 

[boki]

Or some regime official fucked up and let the convoy pass even though he wasn't supposed to. It might even be a matter of various regime factions working against each other.

Its possible. Its hard to believe that they attacked the convoy just so they can  stop the aid going to Aleppo, as they get a lot of aid themselves, and I think at the same time there was another one going to government controlled part of Aleppo.

[smjjames]

Or some regime official fucked up and let the convoy pass even though he wasn't supposed to. It might even be a matter of various regime factions working against each other.

Its possible. Its hard to believe that they attacked the convoy just so they can  stop the aid going to Aleppo, as they get a lot of aid themselves, and I think at the same time there was another one going to government controlled part of Aleppo.

So, did they bomb the one going to the government controlled part of Aleppo or the other one?

[Sheb]

Yeah, why would they want help to reach the part of the territory they're holding but not the part the rebels are holding? I really can't figure it out.


(BTW: More details if you somehow doubt it was the result of an air strike)

[martinuzz]

American general Joseph Dunford has said that musterd gas has been used against US troops by IS.
A grenade was fired at an American base by IS troops, and traces of musterd gas have been found. No one was injured though, IS can't aim.


Obama.. How about that red line now? Chem warfare against your own troops?

[Loud Whispers]

American general Joseph Dunford has said that musterd gas has been used against US troops by IS.
A grenade was fired at an American base by IS troops, and traces of musterd gas have been found. No one was injured though, IS can't aim.


Obama.. How about that red line now? Chem warfare against your own troops?

Assad's forces and Kurdish forces have been getting gassed by ISIS and no one gave a shit then
The red line was crossed so long ago it is nothing more than a crimson peak on a hill so far away

[ragnar119]

Yeah, why would they want help to reach the part of the territory they're holding but not the part the rebels are holding? I really can't figure it out.

As other people pointed out, they could just stop the convoy designed for rebel held area from entering syria or that area. In fact that happened few time already in the past where government didn't allow convoy going to rebel held areas that where under siege.

[boki]

Or some regime official fucked up and let the convoy pass even though he wasn't supposed to. It might even be a matter of various regime factions working against each other.

Its possible. Its hard to believe that they attacked the convoy just so they can  stop the aid going to Aleppo, as they get a lot of aid themselves, and I think at the same time there was another one going to government controlled part of Aleppo.

So, did they bomb the one going to the government controlled part of Aleppo or the other one?

The other one. There is no fighting on road that leads to government control part of Aleppo (except occasional  sniper shoots). The road that leads to rebel controlled part is under heavy fire from artillery and air strikes.

[smjjames]

American general Joseph Dunford has said that musterd gas has been used against US troops by IS.
A grenade was fired at an American base by IS troops, and traces of musterd gas have been found. No one was injured though, IS can't aim.


Obama.. How about that red line now? Chem warfare against your own troops?

American general Joseph Dunford has said that musterd gas has been used against US troops by IS.
A grenade was fired at an American base by IS troops, and traces of musterd gas have been found. No one was injured though, IS can't aim.


Obama.. How about that red line now? Chem warfare against your own troops?

Assad's forces and Kurdish forces have been getting gassed by ISIS and no one gave a shit then
The red line was crossed so long ago it is nothing more than a crimson peak on a hill so far away

And ISIS doesn't give a shit about the Geneva Convention anyway. Though neither does Assad.