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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be relieved that Britain isn't involved in strikes against Syria

34 replies

PMDD · 31/08/2013 09:14

that's it really.

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 31/08/2013 09:20

It's tough as there is a case both sides. However wolf was cried over WMD in the past so we need to be super cautious now.

Dackyduddles · 31/08/2013 09:29

Actually I'm not sure. Whilst caution is good I'm afraid we are using it purely because of WMD etc last time. I'm more concerned that politicians make the best decision based on everything not just the stuff in the media.

You see I'd hate to think that something bigger happens and we say in a year etc this was the point we should have gone in but politicians were scared of making the big decisions.

I don't envy DC or BO right now. I pray they make the best choices they can.

dimsum123 · 31/08/2013 09:35

I agree. Too many British soldiers dead already and for what? What did we achieve by invading Iraq, Libya Afghanistan etc?

TheFallenNinja · 31/08/2013 09:39

We're labelled tyrants if we do and cowards if we don't.

Either way we'd be stuffed.

burstingbaboon · 31/08/2013 09:41

I agree too. It's not worth it . Let them deal with it. Who feels sorry for British soldiers?

TylerHopkins · 31/08/2013 09:47

I think Cameron may have earned some respect with other leaders by not jumping this time when USA clicked it's fingers. Hopefully this will find him a way into talks with Syria's allies, Russia & China who really are the only ones who could probably bring an end to this with minimal conflict.

Russia, China and Iran....all mad IMO. We have our work cut out.

sooperdooper · 31/08/2013 09:49

It's hard, but I don't see how strikes against the country help the normal people, if there was something that could be done that could save innocent people getting hurt then maybe I'd feel differently but i think the past has shown that its not that simple and us getting involved in other occasions hasn't been a positive thing, this would be no different

sooperdooper · 31/08/2013 09:51

And I agree it's a positive step not to have just jumped in because the US says so

burstingbaboon · 31/08/2013 09:51

Do you think Britain would get help if similar situation happen from Arab countries? No . We wouldn't get help.

ThursdayLast · 31/08/2013 09:53

I'm with TheFallenNinja on this one.

Also, Americas aim seems to be to exact a punishment rather than to oust Assad. I don't think that's something we need to be a part of.

dimsum123 · 31/08/2013 09:54

The best way to help is for us to send humanitarian aid. Food, medicine, clean water etc.

Crumbledwalnuts · 31/08/2013 09:54

Arab countries aren't even running to the help of Syria - they sure and hell wouldn't run to ours.

burstingbaboon · 31/08/2013 09:59

Exactly. So why send young soldiers to fight animals. Why it has to be British responsibility to help everyone and everywhere?
It's enough. Let them deal with it themselves.

SmallBee · 31/08/2013 10:01

As Dimsum has said there are non military ways we can still help. I've seen lots of tweets from UNICEF about the things they're doing & hopefully our government might send some aid as well.

TylerHopkins · 31/08/2013 10:17

Aid and shelter should be a priority. It hurts to think that while I'm lying in bed this sunny Sunday morning, deciding what to have for breakfast, the horror those people are going through right now. I feel so helpless. It's just so wrong.

Sallyingforth · 31/08/2013 10:23

Dropping yet more bombs on Syria is only going to cause yet more death and destruction. It serves no point.
I'm pleased and proud that our democratic parliament said no.
YANBU.

KirjavaTheCat · 31/08/2013 10:29

Yanbu. More death and destruction does not peace make.

BrokenSunglasses · 31/08/2013 10:41

YANBU.

It won't achieve anything except more war.

The priority for our armed forces has got to be protecting our country, not blundering in trying to sort out other people's civil wars.

I agree we can help with humanitarian aid to Syria, and to the countries that are now having to cope with a massive influx of refugees.

Crumbledwalnuts · 31/08/2013 11:24

Cameron did well. He did the right thing. And at least he knows what he thinks. Ed Miliband hasn't the first idea what he thinks on this, never mind what we should do.

cantreachmytoes · 31/08/2013 11:34

As we could apparently afford to go to war, it would be nice if we could donate even 50% of that money to UNICEF and other official agencies who are helping the refugees. Winter will be here soon and it gets cold there. Children have food, but not so much that they don't have hungry tummies a lot of the time (according to Woman's Hour this week).

I also feel relieved that we aren't jumping in with the Americans, but hope our people in power can find another option.

Does anybody know what China and Russia propose? They don't want to bomb, fine, but do they have an alternative?

Crumbledwalnuts · 31/08/2013 11:49

Diplomacy.

Sallyingforth · 31/08/2013 13:59

Does anybody know what China and Russia propose? They don't want to bomb, fine, but do they have an alternative?

No. They would both prefer to wait out and help the Syrian government to defeat the rebels.

Remember that both those countries have records of violently suppressing dissention and separatist movements. They will not support outside intervention into any country, that might create a precedent to come back and haunt them on another occasion.

sashh · 31/08/2013 15:38

It's hard, but I don't see how strikes against the country help the normal people, if there was something that could be done that could save innocent people getting hurt then maybe I'd feel differently

I heard someone on the radio about a month ago, he said rather than waiting for a gas attack suits, gas masks, and the medical equipment for hospitals could be dropped to save live in the event of an attack.

The major problem I see is that there are not two sides,there are many different rebel groupd, and one of the sides who are anti Assad are Al qaeda.

Rooners · 31/08/2013 15:41

No one calls Denmark, Norway, Germany cowards.

Sleepyhead33 · 31/08/2013 16:38

Cemeron lost the vote-parliament made sure he took no action, he wants to go in with the USA.