Washington – Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says he’s against any direct U.S. military involvement in violence-ravaged Syria.
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Powell calls the killings tragic, but says there’s little the United States can do to stop it.
Powell tells CBS “This Morning” he thinks “it is really a civil war.”
But the retired Army general says “I don’t know that there is much the United States can do except work with the international community.”
He says, “The question always comes down to, is someone going to intervene. I don’t think we can do this. … I don’t sense any energy to do that.”
Powell also says “there are lots of countries that are having these kinds of internal civil wars in other parts of the world and nobody is talking about intervening.”
former secretary of state, former head of the joint chief of staff. Syria is a religious and political quagmire and of course if Obama goes in another item to show his incomptence. The U.S. should sit on the sidelines and let the Alawites and Sunnis kill themsel;ve at there [pleasure. Powell is smart
To #1 And people should continue to die?
not getting into whether we should or should not go into Syria – but to use Powell who is a yellow belly ever since he was in the military as a voice of reason for such an action is comical. His promotions were due to color. He is a nice guy – is a team player while in the game; that is why he got the promotions – not on merit.. He will throw anyone under the bus when the game ends.
Syria is not Libya. If NATO jets flew missions into Syria, Syria’s anti-aircraft defenses and their Air Force could take some jets down. Perhaps not a brand new USAF F-22 Raptor, but certainly an older F-16 or anything the French and Germans are flying. And POWs in Syrian hands would complicate everything greatly. And, more likely, whoever wins will not appreciate NATO’s efforts at all.
One thing we learned in trying to help in the arab countries. We risk american lives and spend trillions of dollars to save lives and by the end of the day everyone is angry at America. America needs to realize we come first. If trying to help we will make more enemies, including the people we are trying to save, and raise the national debt then we need to be very cautious. There are countries that appreciate and welcome when America does something good. Then America will follow it’s instinct and do what it can to make things better.
Men in arms from America deserve a better battle to fight than the diaper falling off of the plastic lie of syria.
To #6 - Rationalman- You don’t know what you are talking about. It just so happens that I know someone who served with Colin Powell in the Corps of Cadets, in ROTC, at the City College of New York, from 1956-1958. Powell was head of the Corps of Cadets. In those days, there were high standards to get into City College and to advance as an upper classman to the advanced corps of ROTC. Powell certainly achieved his Commission as a second lieutenant, based on his merits. The same held true for his thirty seven year army career. He served two tours in Vietnam, and his brilliant strategy in the First Gulf War (unlike the second), kept casualties to a minimum, and allowed the USA, an early exit. How dare you state that his promotions were due to color !
1. He was for RR’s proposed war in Nicaragua.
2. He was for the liberation of Kuwait.
3. He was for the invasion of Iraq.
4. And Afghanistan.
5. He is opposed to a war in Syria.
Really, why would anyone care what this military genius has to say?