Should we have bombed Syria?

wanderlust wrote:

Sluffy wrote:

wanderlust wrote:Looks like May and Macron are now fully on board with Trump's agenda and my concern is that we really don't want to go back to East/West brinksmanship if only because of Russia's ability to destroy the UK in seconds - we are after all a lot nearer to them than the US and would probably be considered a softer target.
That said, I assume that this public display of muscle was notified via the back door comms channels i.e. Russia and Syria (and possibly Iran) were told in advance what targets would be hit as that's the way they do it nowadays. Putin will still have to save face in Russia, but I'm hoping he has the common sense not to escalate further. 
As regards whether it was right or not, personally I'd have liked to have seen some proof of the chemical attacks before we waded in. It's a bit like the Skripal case - plenty of circumstantial evidence but then doubt is cast on the findings AFTER we'd repatriotised the diplomats and there is still no conclusive proof that it was the Russians - although we all suspect it was. 
Similarly the Russians claim the Syrian chemical attack was set up by an American agency e.g. the CIA and it is not beyond the realms of possibility, so it would be good to get some verification BEFORE taking huge decisions and risks such as this. Worrying times especially as Putin is such a folk hero in Russia and will be under pressure to retaliate.

Oh I've no doubt these things really did happen - and it has been proved beyond doubt to the likes of May and Macron - for them to join in with the American's.

A bit like the irrefutable evidence of WMDs that cost so many lives in Iraq then?

Or are you just making this up too?

Bollotom2014 wrote:It was a clear message to Assad that if you use chemical weapons again we'll come and blow the crap out of you.

Natasha Whittam wrote:Of course it was a token gesture. They gave everyone a week's notice, no doubt any chemical weapons that the Syrian government had were moved long before any bombs dropped.

It was more about sending a warning that we will bomb you, and next time we might not give you a week to think about it.

But once again the Labour twins want to make this about the government, and not about the poor people being targeted.

T.R.O.Y wrote:Happy to help. If only I worked in international relations hey.