Goosing Turkey

  

 As Kobani's Kurds - with help from the United States -

Hold off ISIL fighters, Turkish forces shut the gates;

Haven't let the Kurds from Turkey reinforce the town,

And it isn't just their borders Ankara's shut down.

They've been less than useless - even bombing local Kurds.

Were their promises to help with ISIL only words?

Erdogan's demanding more than we're prepared to do;

(He wants us to promise that Assad's a target, too)

Taking on another foe before we've crushed the first.

Assad is a tyrant, true...  But ISIL's still the worst.

Time that Turkey offers us a neighborly assist...

Let's take care of ISIL before adding to our list.

ISIL's "Second Message to America" - A Reply

Steven Joel Sotloff, the 2nd American journalist to be murdered by the Islamic State as a "Message to America."  (Photo/mashable.com)

ISIL sent a second, brutal message to the States;

With the death of Steven Sotloff, they've just sealed their fates.

If we weren't determined to hunt down the group before

There is now no question of us evening the score.

Sotloff and James Foley may have both been men of peace

But (though ISIL has more hostages they won't release)

We are left without a choice - eliminate the threat.

Think we're doing damage now? You ain't seen nothin' yet.

'though Assad may benefit (he's fighting ISIS, too)

If they flee to Syria, the U.S. must pursue.

President Obama, get that coward in the mask...

Find a way to make them pay.  Is that so much to ask?

Sochi - Modern Day Bread and Circuses

Oohhh!  Look at all the pretty balloons at the Opening Ceremonies in Sochi. (Photo/Courtesy of NBC)

So much in the world is tragic - war, disease, and death.

Nations call for changes but I wouldn't hold my breath.

U.N. Human Rights Commission published new reports;

No-one paid attention 'cause we're focusing on sports.

Russia's at the center of the issues of the day,

But it's not just Winter Games that Putin likes to play.

Syria and North Korea count him as a friend.

Without his agreement, neither travesty will end.

Fireworks and "bread and circuses" - like ancient Rome,

Counting all the medals our Olympians bring home -

Easily distracted, we're ignoring basic facts;

Putin is supporting men engaged in criminal acts.

I don't blame the Russian people...  Them, I think I'd like.

I just wish they'd help us tell Assad to take a hike.

As for North Korea (if the Chinese aren't involved)

Send Kim Jong-un Dennis Rodman's drug stash...  Problem solved.

(Graphic/Courtesy of Owned.com)

Syria and the Prophetess of Doom

Secretary General of the U.N. asked Iran

If they'd like to join the talks on Syria's peace plan.

It was an acknowledgement that this won't be resolved

If the plan does not get the Iranians involved.

They already are involved; they're in up to their necks

And the fact they won't be present at the peace talks wrecks

Any chance that Russia or the Chinese will agree

To a plan the U.S. backs, I fear...  You wait and see.

Meanwhile, as we bicker over who should play a role,

Ever more civilians join the staggering death toll.

Shouldn't have to be a precondition - even so -

There's not any question that Assad has got to go.

Iran - Give Peace A Chance

(Photo/www.nydailynews.com)

Secretary Kerry's back in meetings with Iran

And he's making progress as they hammer out a plan.

We'll start easing sanctions if Iranians agree

They'll shut down their centrifuges...  Then, we'll have to see.

Israel is furious; they say we shouldn't trust

Anything Rouhani says, but I believe we must.

There's no peace for Syria - a civil war that's spread;

Daily bombings add names to the growing list of dead -

Iran might be crucial in negotiating peace.

They could offer al-Assad a cushy, long-term lease.

When we isolate Iran we're cutting off our nose

Just to spite our faces; stepping on the Persians' toes.

Middle East Update - Making Friends Wherever We Go.

Iraq isn't better with us gone; in fact, it's worse.

Sunnis and the Shia are both fighting to reverse

Any signs of progress that their country may have made.

Now, it seems, they're wishing that our weapons systems stayed.

Sharing common borders with the Syrians, Iraq

Is a frequent target of a suicide attack.

Someone blows themselves - and others - into bloody bits;

Almost every single day some random violence hits.

Saudis are unhappy we've not played a larger role;

Don't believe it's possible that we'll achieve our goal

Of a peaceful Middle East until Assad is stopped.

Israel's not thrilled Iran might get its sanctions dropped.

Egypt's mad at funding cuts (because they had a coup.)

Pakistan and Libya are angry with us, too.

Nation building's not our strength so, once a war gets won,

We should not just walk away from countries...  We should run.

Syrian Strategy Stalls

(Photo/Courtesy of AIM.org)

Bashar al-Assad was interviewed by Charlie Rose;

Sounded like a gay vampire with a stuffy nose.

Said that bombing him will not get any problems solved;

Warned that we'd be sorry if the U.S. got involved.

President Obama has been very busy, too.

Meeting with reporters; giving each an interview.

Speaking to the nation last night; laying out his case.

He agreed to wait, thus saving diplomatic face.

'though I'm not in favor of a war, I'm feeling bad.

I would love to rescue Syrians from al-Assad.

But, 'til other nations will agree to do their share,

It's too large a burden for America to bear.

Secretary Kerry gave the President an out

Once the Congress made it clear approval was in doubt.

Now they can delay the vote...  Give Lavrov a chance,

Let the U.N. diplomats commence their song and dance.

Obama v. Putin - Something to Talk About

This year's G-20 Summit meetings are being held on President Putin's home turf; St. Petersburg.  (Photo/news.yahoo.com)

President Obama's in St. Petersburg today;

Isn't there to meet with Putin...  What could either say?

One's the U.S. President - who wants to launch a strike -

Lobbying that more G-20 countries act alike.

Laying out the evidence of horrifying crimes

(Can't imagine how Assad can sleep at night sometimes.)

Putin's backing Syria. Bashar Assad's his guy;

Claiming that the evidence against him is a lie.

Doesn't leave a lot for them to talk about, I'd think.

Not as if relations with the Russians didn't stink

Well before this latest rift but, 'though the two aren't friends,

Both must work together before Syria's war ends.

Across the Pond - Syria and Russia (Still)

A Syrian rebel leader committing cannibalism. (Photo/ForeignPolicy.org)

Want to help the Syrians, but - wait...  Before we start.

Who is it we're helping?  Rebel ate a soldier's heart,

Then cut out his liver and, it seems, he ate that too.

That is not the kind of guy I want to help.  Do you?

If the U.S. gets involved we'll only make things worse;

That's unless John Kerry gets the Russians to reverse

Their position on Assad and that's not looking good...

Russia says they've caught a spy in Moscow's neighborhood.

He was found with wigs and cash and offers to employ

Someone to spy on the Russian homeland for us.  Boy...

Bet that put a crimp in Secretary Kerry's style.

Getting Putin's help in Syria might take a while.

Across the Pond - Kerry's Russian Visit

"Did you guys forget to make the appointment?" (Photo/ABC News)

Kerry met with Putin hoping they could strike some deals.

Putin kept him waiting; Kerry sat and cooled his heels.

Three whole hours Putin made the Secretary wait.

It's been 6 or 7 for some local Heads of State.

But, what else could Kerry do?  It's not like he could leave.

We need Russia to insure Assad will not receive

Weapons that he's using on his people. Kerry must

Just endure these slings and arrows; re-earn Putin's trust.

Clearly, Putin feels the need to prove that he's in charge.

Even his supporters say his ego's pretty large.

Let him win these childish games if that is what it takes.

Secretary Kerry knows he plays for higher stakes.

Syria - What Do You Do When All of Your Options Suck?

(Photo/Slate.com)

Assad's using Sarin gas - or so it would appear.

Evidence, they're saying, isn't absolutely clear.

Assad told the UN they could look but changed his mind,

Indicating he's afraid of what they're gonna find.

President Obama said that gas would cross a line;

(I guess bombing your civilian population's fine)

John McCain, and others, say that line has now been crossed

Thus, we have to arm the rebels, never mind the cost.

You can't guarantee which way a well-armed rebel aims.

When it turns to civil war, guess who the region blames.

I think, first, we need to get the Russians on our side.

Only way to do that is to prove Assad has lied.

Give AID to the countries where most Syrians have fled;

Make sure they have shelter, clothes, and water - that they're fed.

Prove guilt beyond shadow of a doubt before we start

Interfering as a country tears itself apart.

Dear Secretary Kerry... Sincere Sympathies on Your Dream Job

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry...  Poor bastard.

Secretary Kerry has his work cut out for him;

Situation in the Middle East is pretty grim.

Civil war in Syria; the circumstances dire.

Innocent civilians getting caught in the crossfire.

Plus 2 million refugees have packed their things and fled.

Assad's neighbors have to try and keep those people fed.

War's been dragging on for 2 years now; no end in sight.

The United States stayed on the sidelines of the fight.

Now - so rumor has it - CIA is helping out;

Shipping arms to rebels so the battle's not a rout.

Trying hard to pick and choose who's gonna get the guns

In a region that's known warfare since Attila's Huns.

Egypt's on the brink of a collapse...  They're out of cash.

Thus, their fragile government may hit a wall and smash.

Even with intentions that are pure as driven snow,

Morsi's in a bind if the economy won't grow.

And, of course, there's Israel and Palestine, as well.

You call that the Holy Land?  It's more akin to Hell.

It's no wonder Hillary decided that she'd quit;

Let poor Secretary Kerry try to deal with it.

Across the Pond - Syria. Stop the Presses!

Syrian President Bashar Assad

Stop the presses! Assad says that Syria's at war.

After 16 months of heavy shelling I'd have swore

Anyone who's paid attention has to recognize

That Assad's announcement isn't much of a surprise.

He insists that terrorists who want him overthrown

Are behind the killings, yet protests have only grown.

Just shot down a Turkish jet...  That sounds like war to me.

Assad's on a pace to top his father's killing spree.

Now the Russians want to meet - including with Iran -

Turkey, the United States; discuss the Annan plan.

Problem is that they insist Assad should get to stay;

Something opposition fighters won't accept.  No way.

There's been too much killing.  There's too many babies dead.

No-one can forgive the way Bashar Assad has led...

Greeted Arab Spring by using bullets and some tanks.

If Assad's a precondition, have to say - "No, thanks."

Across the Pond - Syria and the Russians

Putin and Ahmadinejad must be so proud.

 

Really wish that I'd been wrong but, sadly, I was not

Yet another battle against babies has been fought.

Youngest victim - 3 months old - they stabbed him through the head.

Assad will not stop 'til every rebel Sunni's dead.

I cannot believe the Russian people are aware

Of what Assad's doing with their weapons or they'd share

In the world's revulsion...  Then they'd back a U.N. vote.

Russian people I have met would not sell him a coat...

Never mind the systems that the Syrians just bought.

All I can imagine is that Putin plain forgot

Russia's a democracy and citizens won't stand

For supporting monsters who have gotten out of hand.

Across the Pond - Syria; "We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat."

Photo credit/AP

 
Wish that I could say Assad has gone too far this time

And that he'll be punished for his latest, deadly crime.

Wish that little bodies were not lined up in the streets;

Shot or blown up babies hidden underneath those sheets.

True that Russia just condemned the massacre and yet,

Will they back that up with sanctions aimed at Assad? Nyet.

Everyone agrees that killing children isn't good

Even if they're living in a rebel neighborhood...

Saying only that and nothing more is not enough

But, without the full U.N., all we can do is bluff.

War's now spread to Lebanon as ethnic tensions flared;

Can't imagine other nearby nations will be spared.

Diplomats say Kofi Annan's plan is all there is.

I don't mean to tell the U.N. delegates their biz;

But, Assad's a killer shark.  The next  time that they vote

Hope they'll reconsider - think we'll need a bigger boat.

Across the Pond - Middle East Update

Cartoon Credit: Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press

 Looking to the Middle East, the news is pretty grim.

Breaking story; hopes for talks with Iran growing dim.

We will not lift sanctions - not until they compromise.

They want some concessions first, but we don't trust those guys.

Syrian regime continues shelling with their tanks

As its citizens begin to join the rebels' ranks.

Tighter that he grips his fist, the more folks slip away;

Assad's growing strangely more like Vader every day.

Pakistan has sentenced a physician who they said

Broke the law by helping us to see Bin Laden dead.

Gave him more than 30 years and then they wonder why

We don't tell them when a drone-strike mission's gonna fly.

Egypt - there's a ray of hope - election's underway.

Voters lined up in the streets to have a chance to say

Who will be the President...  I hope their choice is good.

(I am rather fearful of the Muslim Brotherhood.)

Overall the region's still a powder keg and we

Would be well advised to not forget the history...

Yes, I know it's ancient and our grasp is incomplete

But, if we don't learn it fast, we're destined to repeat.

Across the Pond - Syrian Escalation

excerpted from
Article first published as Syria Fires Into Turkey and Lebanon on Technorati.

Syrian President Bashar al Assad (Photo credit: The Examiner)

I would think that escalation isn't what was meant

After all the time and effort Kofi Annan spent

Hashing out agreements with the Syrian regime

But, that's what he's gotten for his efforts it would seem.

Now, instead of winding down, Assad is ramping up.

Should we have anticipated he would do so? Yup.

But I never dreamed he'd dare to shoot and injure Turks,

Well across the border, doing refuge aid works.

Turkey's not the only country's border that's been crossed;

Lebanese photographer was also shot and lost.

It's not just the Syrians that Assad's people killed.

I would bet his few remaining allies weren't thrilled.

How much longer will it be?  How many more must die

Before Russians and Chinese are tired of the guy?

Very clear his promises to stop to the UN

Are a stalling tactic that will fail. What happens then?