the comments below in your article. I'm shaking my head about Mr Kerry's actions. No wonder John McCain and his cohorts wanted Kerry to be Secretary of State. He is threating the President of a country who is backed by Russia, Iran and if he wants to believe it or not secretly by North Korea. The person's they want to put in charge of Syria ( Mr Sabra) is a Syrian dissident, and a Christian. The second guy in charge is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Texas. He is Syrian born, but hasn't been a Syrian citizen for the last decade. Those are the moderates, Kerry is talking about.

They discredited all the Islamic groups, but they are the best armed of the opposition. The commander (Idris) of the FSA was a defector and brigadier General in the Syrian Army. The FSA is the weakest armed group of the opposition. They are getting their man power from foreigners, extremists and mercenaries paid by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. I've seen a report where they are getting as much as 50,000 American dollars a man from those two countries. This will either end up into a World War or a complete disaster for the West. Why do I say that. The plot to over throw the Syrian regime is turning into a War of resistance against the West involving the U.S. and Israel. The governments in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are not stable. Saudi Arabia just arrested several of their citizens for spying and Bahrain had to put down violence in their own country among the Shiite population.

John Kerry's definition is dead wrong! These groups are not just fighting and dying for Assad. They are fighting back because they see us as the threat. This will not be some easy and short War but a long War, and I'm afraid the Death toll could be terrible before the dust clears. The Death toll is higher than 80,000 and will be meager to what may come. It is the same Congress that got us into Iraq. Kerry's excuse was that he got fooled into Iraq. So lets be clear right now. He is not being fooled now, whatever results come from this.

defensive weapons only) so there needs to be a response of some sort. Now, if the entire EU and the USA, Israel, get behind the other side hopefully it will bring Russia and Assad to the table. Usually when UK gets involved Canada and Australia go with them. That's a pretty powerful force for russia to fight. China can't get troops anywhere so their involvement will be limited. Also, Russia has put ships in the gulf for the first time in years. we can't let that go unanswered. If we do won't these fighters try to take over Libya or wherever next?

If the EU change the embargo on Syria to allow arms to the opposition only there would be nothing to prevent Russia supplying arms outside the previous contract to Assad should it chose to do so.

advertised. Just as i'm sure we have some back door help going to the rebels. we'll see. This is a big game of diplomatic chicken and I hope Russia will help bring Assad to the table.

the point. It is not just Russia backing Syria but Iran and North Korea. Whatever you think about Iran's or North Korea's military they have significant militaries. I doubt the Chinese would back NATO either if this War spreads. It will be a significant escalation.

Hezbullah has over 50,000 rockets I believe pointed at Israel. The Syrian Armed Forces is not knocked out which includes Army, Navy and Air Force. Hezbullah gets their funding from Syria and Iran. Whether you believe the numbers or not, Iran claims Hezbullah can mobilize as many as 65,000 fighters that they have trained. According to some sources Iran can mobilize as many as 6 to 8 million troops. They did mobilize enormous man power in their War with Iraq. Iraq would be seen as a potential Ally of Iran, not the U.S.. It is another armed forced that was built by the U.S. It is a matter of who you think has the most influence within Iraq now with the Shiites? Shiite Iraqi militias has also been fighting for Assad in Syria. They have also trained personnel in Africa, and Venezuela formed ties with Iran. The only thing weapons will do is escalate the violence and killing, because both sides have access to more lethal weapons. That is the fallacy in the U.S. premise. All those European countries, including the U.S. would have to put boots on the ground if those countries supporting assad don't back down from the threats.

And from the rhetoric, I think some of those countries intend not to. Especially the Iranians and maybe North Korea. If this conflict spreads and nobody backs down, countries will start taking sides. it will be the total opposite of what the Obama Administration expected. It is a simple matter of national pride for these countries. Iran's supreme Leader has already stated secretly to Jordan's King, if the U.S. invades, his Government will be the first wiped out. I'm surprised the Western Media did not report this threat from Iran's supreme leader and their highest ranking general on the same day? If this is what Kerry's intentions are, then it will happen. America has better be prepared to enter in a War they didn't intend on with ground troops. It remains to be seen if Germany or Saudi Arabia will back her up too, including the British or France with ground troops. None of these countries have public support for it now, but they are trying to gin it up. As far as I'm concerned, they'll never get my backing. I'll just stay right here and enjoy my life. I do not agree with the idiots calling themselves our Government!

Anyone think there's a chance he can be rescued from the infinite levels of double-down that is our MENA policy?

DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!

politics/scandals in DC, eh?

If it isn't Syria...it will be Iran, unless Russia finally 'draws a line in the sand'.

IMO