CBS News: America moving ships in Med to prepare for missile attack on Syria

[Bolo Boffin]

Last edited Fri Aug 23, 2013, 09:13 PM - Edit history (3)

https://twitter.com/CharlieKayeCBS/status/371038205295861760

BREAKING. @CBSNews has learned that the Pentagon is making the initial preparations for a Cruise missile attack on Syrian government forces

https://twitter.com/CharlieKayeCBS/status/371038840649031681

BREAKING. @CBSDavidMartin: US naval commander orders warships to move closer to Syria to be ready for possible Cruise missile strike.

It's not being confirmed anywhere else yet.

ETA: Chuck Todd of NBC, while not confirming the above details, tweeted this:

https://twitter.com/chucktodd/status/371043672068214784

Obama admin appears to be debating WHAT military action to take against Syria. Not really debating IF anymore more on @nbcnightlynews

(h/t stevil down below)

EATA: A few websites are getting these details and word of a presentation of options for the President tomorrow. Here's a Slate story on why a strike might still not happen.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2013/08/23/the_u_s_is_reportedly_preparing_for_a_cruise_missile_strike_on_syria_is.html

A healthy dose of caution should apply here. Preparing for a possible strike is not the same thing as planning to strike. Despite evidence of a large-scale chemical weapons attack earlier this week, President Barack Obama seems extremely reticent about the idea of intervening in Syria, telling CNN just this morning that “we're still gathering information about this particular event” and that “if the U.S. goes in and attacks another country without a U.N. mandate and without clear evidence that can be presented, then there are questions in terms of whether international law supports it.”

It seems likely that positioning the warships is simply a bit of theater meant to convince Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that the United States means business. None of the other gradual escalations the U.S. has announced in the year since Obama declared the use of chemical weapons to be his “red line" seem to have had much of an impact on the regime’s behavior, but perhaps the hope is that armed warships in the neighborhood will finally get the message across.

I prefer my theater on the stage.

[maddezmom]

1. I am hoping this is bad information

[maddezmom]

17. CNN reporting the same now

[dixiegrrrrl]

48. This in just now from Breaking News headline site:

Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Martin Dempsey expected to present options for Syria strike at White House meeting tomorrow - @CBSDavidMartin, via @CharlieKayeCBS

[dkf]

2. Oh for Gods sakes. Arrrrgh.

[Harmony Blue]

3. I hope this isn't legit

yikes...

[Glimmer of Hope]

6. Me too. Ugh.

[kentuck]

4. Holy Shit!

We don't even know the facts about who might have set off the poison gas attacks? It could have been a set-up?

[Harmony Blue]

10. Yeah there is no definitive proof either

way. It could have been the rebels or the Syrian regime. My guess would be the Syrian regime, however their timing would be bad as the un inspectors were only 3 km away if they did it. And if the rebels did it that would make them an enemy to most nations of the world.

[The Straight Story]

16. Initial Western intelligence finds Syrian forces used chemical weapons

U.S. and allied intelligence agencies have made a preliminary assessment that chemical weapons were used by Syrian forces in an attack near Damascus this week, likely with high-level approval from the government of President Bashar al-Assad, according to American and European security sources.

The early intelligence finding could increase pressure for action by President Barack Obama, who made clear that he planned to tread cautiously even as his aides sought to narrow their differences in debate over possible military responses to the Syrian government.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/23/us-syria-crisis-obama-idUSBRE97M0E420130823?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=992637

[leveymg]

25. This makes <0 sense, and there is no proof the gov't fired those munitions. Smells to hell.

of a false flag operation timed to coincide with the UN inspectors in Damascus and Dempsey's assessment.

I HATE lies.

[Niceguy1]

40. no proof that is public

Am sure our spooks have plenty of evidenxe that doesn't need to be presented to the public.

[leveymg]

47. The only way the spooks would have proof would be if they were there in the planning and/or execut-

ion - in which case, we were complicit. I don't want to think that.

Assad may be a brutal SOB, but he isn't stupid. What does he have to gain/what does he have to lose? That calculus is a no-brainer. So is the calculus of those who would have mixed this one up. They are are least as ruthless. If the CIA were honest, they should doing an assessment of who the other parties are most likley behind this. The most terrifying thing is they may already know.

[Niceguy1]

62. brutal leaders

Aren't always logical......

[leveymg]

63. Assad's brutal opponents have shown themselves quite capable of atrocities

and have carried out chemical attacks on gov't forces in the past.

And it would be quite logical for them to do this sort of thing,now, where they did it - within easy access of the UN inspectors who happen to be in Damascus on the very day the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff essentially ruled out US military intervention.

This sort of mass attack on civilians is, in fact, the logical last resort of a divided opposition to gain superpower intervention.

[former9thward]

43. Initial Western intelligence found Iraq had WMD.

[Junkdrawer]

58. In other news, the USS Maddox was attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats....

while cruising in the Gulf of Tonkin ....

[panader0]

37. Syrian government forces shelled the are where the "supposed" gas attacks were early today.

Perhaps to cover evidence?

[former9thward]

42. Shelling is not going to hide anything.

I would expect the area is being shelled because the government and rebels are both fighting for the area.

[leveymg]

49. Obviously, if you were going to set something like this up, there would have to be

regular artillery units present. That just makes it more plausible, but isn't proof of anything. Anyone can lob off a shell or rocket in the midst of a bombardment. Maybe, the shells were switched or mixed up - but, hopefully someone would notice. Maybe, not.

[mysuzuki2]

5. I am sad and appalled at what is going on in Syria.

If I thought military action would help I would be all for it. However, I really don't think that there is much the US, especially the military, can do that will help the Syrian people. I think military action will only make things worse in the long run.

[Cali_Democrat]

7. Fuck

Please no.

No more of this shit.

[Skidmore]

8. ABC has not reported this yet but there was an item in which

it sounded like the use of force is being strongly considered.

[maddezmom]

19. CNN is now reporting the same

[burnodo]

9. Do we know for certain the chemical attack was perpetrated by Assad?

or by the Rebels?

[Harmony Blue]

11. No definitive proof either way

very confusing situation and hard to figure out the truth.

[burnodo]

12. yet here goes the USG ready to attack the Syrian government

pretty anti-American stuff!

[leveymg]

30. The alternative explanation is too far over the heads of CNN/CBS/PBS for them to even ask the right

questions.

If this is obviously the last thing the regime would do at this time in this place, who benefits? Why isn't the US military preparing strikes against other -- more likely -- suspects?

[CJCRANE]

39. It seems like the string-pullers are just getting more blatant.

The crackdown in Egypt is another example.

[leveymg]

50. What do you mean about blatant string-pulling in Egypt?

What did you notice?

[CJCRANE]

51. Just whoever is backing the generals. They're not even pretending to be democratic.

They've gone back to being a police state, an even worse one than in Morsi's or Mubarak's time.

[leveymg]

54. True, that. The pretend phase is over. Now, it's just about results and containing the media

But, they can't win that way.

People like you and I can make things very, very difficult for them to carry out a war that we know (and can easily demonstrate to others) is complete Bullshit in its inception and rationale.

[Mr.Bill]

14. There was a guy on Rachel Maddow's show yeserday,

cant remember his name, but I believe he was a doctor. He pointed out that the people handling the corpses in the video were not wearing any protective clothing. He said that even handling bodies of people who had been killed by Sarin or other chemical agents would most likely have adverse effects on those people, yet they were showing none. I'm no expert, but I thought that was an interesting observation.

[alfie]

22. A post earlier on DU said first responders were dying after treating victims

[link:http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014573599|

[Demo_Chris]

24. I watched a video of people attempting to save these kids....

It was one of the more horrific videos I have ever seen. There is something truly monsterous in seeing dozens and dozens of little kids drowning and dying. If you get a chance to watch it, don't.

Anyway, whatever this expert might have said, it was clearly poison gas.

[Mr.Bill]

29. I lean towards agreeing with you.

Like I said, I'm no expert, I was just reporting one man's observation, which I thought was interesting.

[Mr.Bill]

32. He also said

to those who think the whole thing was acted out, "Have you ever tried to get dozens of children to lay still for any period of time?", which is a good argument for the authenticity of the video.

[Demo_Chris]

36. Let me be crystal clear...

These kids weren't acting.

I am more than willing to share this video with you if you like. It's on youtube, uploaded with a cover name and soundtrack so it doesn't get deleted.

[Mr.Bill]

38. I've seen the video, and I agree. n/t

[CJCRANE]

28. But there was another report that some first responders have been affected.

Either way, I think some string-pullers are trying to bounce us into another conflict.

[Mr.Bill]

31. Yeah, perhaps this guy

wasn't aware of that at the time.

[CJCRANE]

41. To be fair, I think the reports about first responders being affected came later. nt

[leveymg]

52. I think you are right - and I agree Sarin does not takes very long to act on anyone who comes in

contact. I also haven't heard any reference to the characteristic sweet almond smell of Sarin.

The sickening effects would have been apparent within minutes from what relatively little I know - I actually read a lot, but that was a decade ago. Not sure I want to go back over that material on-line right now.

[oldhippie]

57. Sarin gas has a limited persistency ......

I forget what it is right now (been a long time since that class) and don't have the time to look it up right now, but I seem to remember it was hours or so. The side that uses it wants to be able to move into the territory affected.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Oh, Joy! Another war to lose and deny losing.

[Glassunion]

45. What the hell are you talking about. We haven't lost a single war

we just ain't won them yet!!!

[Mr.Bill]

15. We won't invade Syria.

There's no oil there. We may provide support for Israel to do so, though.

[El Supremo]

18. You said it...

before I could.

[spanone]

20. it's not confirmed anywhere.

[PowerToThePeople]

21. Well, until a missile is launched, it is just a chess game.

If we launch....

[msongs]

23. our president has a long history of killing people airborne devices..nothing new here nt

[stevil]

26. Chuck Todd

Chuck ToddVerified account
‏@chucktodd
Obama admin appears to be debating WHAT military action to take against Syria. Not really debating IF anymore more on @nbcnightlynews

[link:https://twitter.com/chucktodd/status/371043672068214784?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter|

[Bolo Boffin]

59. Thanks. I'm adding this to the OP. n/t

[NuclearDem]

27. Oh, no, no no no no no no NO.

FUCK

THAT.

[woolldog]

33. why do we keep getting sucked into conflict in that region?

[GP6971]

35. Well recent history (10 years ago)

Shows we didn't get sucked in.......we started thr friggin thing

[Kath1]

34. I hope and pray this is wrong.

We should know better.

[Glassunion]

44. This is going to be so awesome

For those who make the bullets, band aids, 'Murican flags!!!

[Boom Sound 416]

46. This is a major statment

We know they could send drones in quietly. When is the last time we launched a cruise missile from a navy ship. Could it be nearly 10 years? The beginning of the "other" wars?

[MrSlayer]

53. They just HAVE to have their fucking war.

This is none of our business. Why do we have to get involved?

Fucking pisses me off.

[leveymg]

55. Oh, NO they can't!

[railsback]

56. The humanitarian thing to do is

let them gas each other, blow each other up, stay out of it. Not our problem. Without intervention, they could do this for years. We have more serious problems here, like our NSA, which has the capability to spy on our porn.. if they wanted to.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

60. Breaking: CBS reveals miltary plans for Syria.

I'm sure there will a full investigation to find the traitor who leaked this info.

[City Lights]

61. Great. Just great.

We never met a conflict we didn't like. Always money for the war machine. Fuck it.

[HereSince1628]

64. Ship movements are always good theater

apparently unlike planes with air-launched cruise missiles