Syrians suppot Assad

[Daburuetchi]

I think Assad has committed some reprehensible war crimes and should step down. However, because it would almost certainly further destabilize the region, I'm opposed to forcible removal. Bar an actual resignation, I think the best outcome would be Assad agreeing to conditions that weaken his power and all the things necessary to create a lasting peace, even though it's unlikely. If he would stop being such a dick-tator, maybe he could be seen in a better light.

There is no way he'd step down willingly, trust me. Well, unless his last stronghold was about to be sieged, but even then many would still want him dead. I think the US needs to establish a no fly-zone. True it'll give ISIS and other radicals an advantage along with the non-radicals like the FSA, but it would stop Assad's forces from bombing civilians, hospitals, and schools.

There are no non-radicals. Just a few months a go there was an article in the New York Times stating the US could barely scrap together a couple hundred fighters. Not only that but most of the people they got were screened out or defected The FSA have used chemical weapons and have deliberately targeted civilians. I dont see how you think the allies of the takfiri are better

[Rio Cana]

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this particular tinpot dictator is leaving anytime soon. So the best solution is for the Ba'ath Party to devolve some power and allow free and fair elections so that the opposition is included in the decision making process. Truth and reconciliation. commissions should be formed in order to rectify the most egregious crimes of the regime. Then the whole Syrian population can fight against the biggest threat, which is ISIS.

Of course, Assad would never agree to this, so it's a moot point. This war is going to continue indefinitely, probably for another 15-20 years.

On another note, Obamer is sending in ground troops to Syria, which could easily lead to a shooting war between NATO and Russia. Can anyone say "mission creep?"

Truth and reconciliation equals the minorities being eliminated. I do not think the ethnic/religious minorities want that or are dumb enough to believe that the so called majority will treat them well. They just need to look around the region and see what is happening and how well the so called Western nations have protected these people.

If a deal is reached in Syria, chances are it will mean a smaller Syria. The minorities are not going to gamble with there existence.

[United Marxist Nations]

Don't have the article with me, but the number is closer to 35% support for Assad. Still the most supported faction, but not majority support.

[Russo-Byzantine Empire]

Assad should be removed and replaced with the Jordanian monarchy. You might be a Republican, but Abdullah II never gassed his own people. Besides, a powerful US ally in the Middle East that does not behead and crucify teenagers is a good idea all around.

Maybe we should ask the Syrians what they think first. Preferably not through a French internet poll...

Enough Syrians to make ISIS into a threat support ISIS. I think we need to make the situation to stabilize, possibly with denazification style proceedings, before asking the Syrians about anything.

[Al-Seena]

can't see any methodology info, meaningless without it

Pretty much this, plus I'm not to trust of polls conducted in regions undergoing civil conflict since massive sections of the population won't be able to be questioned thus skewing the results.

[Kubra]

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this particular tinpot dictator is leaving anytime soon. So the best solution is for the Ba'ath Party to devolve some power and allow free and fair elections so that the opposition is included in the decision making process. Truth and reconciliation. commissions should be formed in order to rectify the most egregious crimes of the regime. Then the whole Syrian population can fight against the biggest threat, which is ISIS.

Of course, Assad would never agree to this, so it's a moot point. This war is going to continue indefinitely, probably for another 15-20 years.

On another note, Obamer is sending in ground troops to Syria, which could easily lead to a shooting war between NATO and Russia. Can anyone say "mission creep?"

Truth and reconciliation equals the minorities being eliminated. I do not think the ethnic/religious minorities want that or are dumb enough to believe that the so called majority will treat them well. They just need to look around the region and see what is happening and how well the so called Western nations have protected these people.

If a deal is reached in Syria, chances are it will mean a smaller Syria. The minorities are not going to gamble with there existence.

he probably means a power-sharing agreement in which minorites have a share that can rival the sunni-majority. Lebanon has such a setup, and despite its imperfections they haven't been in open civil war for a while now. Still plenty of ethnic violence, but hey, could be worse, coulda been a roman peace, in which the strongest tribe achieves peave via decimating the hostile tribes.

[Glorious KASSRD]

I seriously doubt that many Syrians support Assad. Still, he's better then the rebels.

[TomKirk]

If the people like him, then what gives America the right to butt in and kick him out?

A poll of online readers of Le Figaro is not relevant to "the people", unless you think for some reason that Frenchmen have a greater right to butt in

[Novus America]

can't see any methodology info, meaningless without it

Pretty much this, plus I'm not to trust of polls conducted in regions undergoing civil conflict since massive sections of the population won't be able to be questioned thus skewing the results.

The poll does not even claim to represent Syria, and there is no evidence anybody from Syria actually "voted". It is a French internet poll from a near tabloid and the question is not actually do you support Assad. It just asks if you want the "great powers" to try to remove him.

I would oppose "great powers" trying to remove Putin. I obviously do not support Putin however.


This poll is total crap. Like all internet polls it says nothing. Just how many clicks were made for an option.

This is possibly the worst OP I have seen. It is a blatant and complete misreprestation of a terrible source.

[Colbert Super PAC]

Some may question our right to remove dictators. Those who understand know that we have no right to let them stay in power.

[Glorious KASSRD]

Some may question our right to remove dictators. Those who understand know that we have no right to let them stay in power.

If we remove Assad, who will we put into power?

[Greater Istanistan]

Dubious source. That being said, democracy is good. Let's get one there, and then if the people want Ba'ath then they can vote for Ba'ath. Simple as that.

[Braberland]

This is very old news, it's always those progressive suicidal protestors who are causing this shit.

Wonder when be bomb THEM instead of the actual moderates - those governments.

[Exelia]

Yeah, I'm not going to trust RT on this issue.

Also great poll options. Not at all biased in any way.

[Braberland]

Some may question our right to remove dictators. Those who understand know that we have no right to let them stay in power.

If we remove Assad, who will we put into power?

A feminist in a pink burka using "Allahu Akbar" every sentence, if the US elects a democrat.

Otherwise, they'll put #freedom in power.

[Exelia]

If we remove Assad, who will we put into power?

A feminist in a pink burka using "Allahu Akbar" every sentence, if the US elects a democrat.

Otherwise, they'll put #freedom in power.

Your right, surely that's who'll they put in charge. Just like they did Germany, and Japan.

How can you support a man responsible for this?

[Myrensis]

Yeah....there are entirely valid criticisms of the Wests meddling in Syria, and reasons why Assad remaining in power could be a better option than most of the alternatives..but the poll is just a bit obviously biased for Assad.

[Scandinavian Nations]

If we remove Assad, who will we put into power?

What about a skilled and well-vetted administrator with a S.J.D., answering to the people of the United States?

It's time to stop playing "nice", which isn't nice to anyone anyway. Bring back the good old colonial system. Bring countries that can't take care of themselves to full subordination, govern them according to Western values, and progressively expand their autonomy when they show evidence of having embraced these values.

[Exelia]

If we remove Assad, who will we put into power?

What about a skilled and well-vetted administrator with a S.J.D., answering to the people of the United States?

It's time to stop playing "nice", which isn't nice to anyone anyway. Bring back the good old colonial system. Bring countries that can't take care of themselves to full subordination, govern them according to Western values, and progressively expand their autonomy when they show evidence of having embraced these values.

That never worked for the native population, except maybe a small educated elite.

The vast majority of natives under the colonial system lived little better than slaves.

[Scandinavian Nations]

That never worked for the native population, except maybe a small educated elite.

Hong Kong and Macau, both of which I'm closely familiar with, beg to disagree.


P.S. Not that it matters anyway - the needs of the many trump the needs of the few. But for what it's worth, it also often works out better for the natives as well.

[Exelia]

Hong Kong and Macau, both of which I'm closely familiar with, beg to disagree.

Small, already wealthy areas that serve as financial centers are not comparable examples to Syria.

Why don't we look at the entire continent of Africa.

P.S. Not that it matters anyway - the needs of the many trump the needs of the few. But for what it's worth, it also often works out better for the natives as well.

Except here it's the needs of the many being trampled.

[Purpelia]

What people who support the notion of middle eastern democracy fail to realize is that ISIS is not a foreign force from Mars landed on earth to conquer and pillage. It's a homegrown movement in the region with a lot of popular support. If we allow the people of Syria freedom to vote they will vote for ISIS. It's that simple. Thus we need a strong reliable man to keep those fundamentalists in check and slowly reeducate them into being civilized human beings.

[Greater Istanistan]

What people who support the notion of middle eastern democracy fail to realize is that ISIS is not a foreign force from Mars landed on earth to conquer and pillage. It's a homegrown movement in the region with a lot of popular support. If we allow the people of Syria freedom to vote they will vote for ISIS. It's that simple. Thus we need a strong reliable man to keep those fundamentalists in check and slowly reeducate them into being civilized human beings.

Untrue. Most of the ISIS fighters are international, coming from Daghestan, Chechnya, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Somalia. The Sunnis were pissed, yeah, but most Islamic State troops are highly internationalized, not local.

As for reeducating them to be civilized, I wonder why that hasn't already happened given how much reeducation via rape, torture, and poison gas they've had.

[Exelia]

What people who support the notion of middle eastern democracy fail to realize is that ISIS is not a foreign force from Mars landed on earth to conquer and pillage. It's a homegrown movement in the region with a lot of popular support. If we allow the people of Syria freedom to vote they will vote for ISIS. It's that simple. Thus we need a strong reliable man to keep those fundamentalists in check and slowly reeducate them into being civilized human beings.

ISIS is not supported because mos of the people support radical Islam. While these areas are far from what I call progressive they certainly are not fundamentalist to the degree of ISIS.

They might vote for ISIS, but only because they are the only Sunni group sympathetic to Sunnis in both Syria and Iraq. Both are led by Shia minorities who gleefully oppress the Sunni majority. Sunnis who are upset about this have no other outlet but to support ISIS.

It is precisely this strong-man nonsense that led to the situation in the first place.

[Gauthier]

Also, 100% of Russian LGBTs support Putin.