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[Duuvian]

Interesting news:

Syria to Turkey: Show me the missile

In an interview with the Hurriyet Daily News on Wednesday, an anonymous US Foreign Affairs official said they know the details about the Turkish jet - but have no intention of sharing the information with the press.

"Those in the American government who need to know [details] know them," the official told the paper. "But we will make no statements about the topics in question."

"Whether the jet was shot over Syrian territory or over international waters, or what it was shot with, what difference does it make? What matters to us is that it was downed," the official said.



My advice is that this might not be the right stance to take. I'd instead acknowledge that it does indeed matter where it was shot down. In addition that it should not have been shot down at all.

[Urist McDepravity]

In addition that it should not have been shot down at all.

Why not? If Venesuellian military aircraft would illegally cross US airspace, noone would even think before ordering to shoot it down.
Each country may defend its borders with whatever means it needs. If you don't like it - do not cross that country's borders.

[sneakey pete]

You're not involved in a civil war, and Venezuela doesn't have a bigger air force than you.

[scriver]

In addition that it should not have been shot down at all.

Why not? If Venesuellian military aircraft would illegally cross US airspace, noone would even think before ordering to shoot it down.
Each country may defend its borders with whatever means it needs. If you don't like it - do not cross that country's borders.

Yes. That is how international politics and diplomacy works.

[ChairmanPoo]

You're not involved in a civil war, and Venezuela doesn't have a bigger air force than you.

That is actually a *good* reason to shoot it down. The Syrians can't know that those jets aren't going to attack them, or doing reconnaise for future attacks.  In the pretty bad dillema they're presented with, shooting down the intruders is their best choice, IMO.

(Disclaimer: Not that I support Bashar's murderous repression, mind you. But really, this jet fighter thing was kind of a given, imo.)

[Pwnzerfaust]

Uh, you don't shoot down a plane that crossed your airspace for a matter of minutes with no warning whatsoever. Reports state that Syria never even attempted to warn off the plane or anything. So Syria is in the wrong here.

[ChairmanPoo]

I think it's standard practice in warfare, particularily in this sort. You can't "warn" an incoming fighter to head off or you'll open fire, as in the meanwhile he might already have bombarded you. The same happens when fighters detect radar screening on them, they usually attack the source without warning, as well. I'm not fond of the Syrian regime, but this sort of thing is business as usual, I think.

[Dutchling]

I think it's standard practice in warfare, particularily in this sort. You can't "warn" an incoming fighter to head off or you'll open fire, as in the meanwhile he might already have bombarded you. The same happens when fighters detect radar screening on them, they usually attack the source without warning, as well. I'm not fond of the Syrian regime, but this sort of thing is business as usual, I think.

Really?
I know that in that case there was no war, but did the Syrian rebels actually have bombers/fighters when the Turkish plane was shot down?

[Guardian G.I.]

I know that in that case there was no war, but did the Syrian rebels actually have bombers/fighters when the Turkish plane was shot down?

Even the rebel-sided Western media haven't mentioned it so far (IIRC), so probably no.

[alway]

So it seems Iranian sanctions may be working:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18999395
Price of chicken in Iran has nearly doubled, with price combined with shortages causing unrest even in regions of Iran previously content with their government.

[Zangi]

Price of chicken a leading indicator to unrest?

Don't worry, next year, chicken and livestock prices are going to double in the US of A...   

[Sheb]

American spend less than 5% of their income on food, Iranian spend over 25%. Food price have way more impact over there.

[Askot Bokbondeler]

why havent i ptw this thread yet?

[Nadaka]

American spend less than 5% of their income on food, Iranian spend over 25%. Food price have way more impact over there.

My mother spends half her income on food. But I do cover just about everything else.

[Sheb]

Your point? I didn't claim every single American spend exactly 5% of their income on food.