Perry: How about a unilateral U.S. no-fly zone over Syria?
posted at 10:31 pm on November 21, 2011 by Allahpundit
I don’t get it, but maybe there’s nothing to get. Watch his reaction when Krauthammer asks him about the NFZ. Reminds me of the slight but revealing hesitation when Wolf Blitzer asked Cain whether he’d follow Netanyahu’s example and trade every prisoner in Gitmo for one American POW. My hunch is that Perry is trying to “read” his interviewer for the correct answer, and since he’s sitting right next to Charles Krauthammer and Bill Kristol, the “right” answer must have seemed abundantly clear. Except, of course, it isn’t: Syria’s uprising is already the bloodiest of the Arab Spring and apt to turn into full-blown civil war, with a fair risk of spillover into neighboring countries. The longer it goes on, the greater the risk of it becoming a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia; even if Assad ends up being dislodged, there’s no telling how Iran and Hezbollah might lash out. Want to be in the middle of that, especially since Sunni hardliners are most likely to benefit if Assad is toppled? Also, bear in mind that most of the fighting in Syria is on the ground, not in the air, such that a no-fly zone probably wouldn’t help much unless we’re prepared to once again extend “responsibility to protect” into an all-out offensive against the regime and its forces. And where would this no-fly zone be staged, exactly? Carriers in the Mediterranean? If you’re thinking Iraq or Kuwait, remember that the Maliki government has been notably warm to Assad even as other Arab states have distanced themselves. Maybe you could get Turkey to let us use their bases, but would Turkey want to end up on the wrong side of Iran?
How are we going to pay for this? Stay tuned for the inevitable follow-up at tomorrow night’s debate!
Blowback
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Turkey will take care of this. We have no need to get involved.
Trying to prod Obama to ‘do something’ because he ‘did something’ in Libya would be a mistake.
Skandia Recluse on November 21, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Get that man a teleprompter!
Spathi on November 21, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Well…
… at least Obowma gave the go ahead for the Canadian oil pipeline.
Oh, wait…!
Seven Percent Solution on November 21, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Worst GOP field ever?
rickyricardo on November 21, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Errr…Israel? Although I would think they wouldn’t lift a finger to help Barack.
SouthernGent on November 21, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Syrian rebels have asked for a no fly zone.
8 Syrians Dead, Rebels Wage New Raid as Turkey Slams World ‘Silence’
I am guessing Turkey would be receptive.
Dr Evil on November 21, 2011 at 10:41 PM
First Mexico now Syria.
We don’t need moral crusades.
sharrukin on November 21, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Let’s attack Burma too… just because it’s there.
Hog Wild on November 21, 2011 at 10:42 PM
There have been a steady stream of articles in the UK Telegraph :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8903798/Turkey-warns-Syrias-Bashar-al-Assad-his-days-are-numbered.html
Skandia Recluse on November 21, 2011 at 10:44 PM
“Want to be in the middle of that, especially since Sunni hardliners are most likely to benefit if Assad is toppled?”
Want to destroy the remaining Christians in Syria, as they’ve been practically destroyed in Iraq?
This is insane. The American political class has become too willing to contemplate absurdly aggressive, expensive and destructive options.
Ron Paul would be much better. Seriously. I think he’s wrong too, but he would be wrong in cheaper ways that wouldn’t make so many enemies and cost so much money.
David Blue on November 21, 2011 at 10:45 PM
No worries; ain’t never going to happen. And unilateral??? C’mon, Rick, that was just a trick question.
cynccook on November 21, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Let’s attack Burma too… just because it’s there.
Hog Wild on November 21, 2011 at 10:42 PM
didn’t the Japanese already beat us to it….oh about 70 years back?
annoyinglittletwerp on November 21, 2011 at 10:46 PM
MYANMAR!! Because Shrillary says so.
SouthernGent on November 21, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Rick Perry is working hard to study up on international issues that he hasn’t had to worry about as Governor of Texas and I admire his effort.
But he is not giving me the confidence that he has mastered foreign policy yet.
The world has become a dangerous place. We need a President who is ready to make important foreign policy decisions on Day 1.
wren on November 21, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Great.
Then they can do it.
BallisticBob on November 21, 2011 at 10:53 PM
I suppose no one will even bother to ask Ron Paul this question…
cynccook on November 21, 2011 at 10:54 PM
And this would be a bad thing for infidels?
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on November 21, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Does Perry know that if Assad loses the new regime would likely be even more anti-Christian? I thought Perry claimed to be a Christian.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on November 21, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Sure a NFZ is what would help Syria stop killing its people. That is if they where using the air to kill not snipers on the roofs. Saddam had use the Iraq air force on the Kurds.
tjexcite on November 21, 2011 at 10:59 PM
I remember reading that one of Perry’s foreign policy advisers was Dough Fieth, the man Tommy Franks said was the dumbest f-ing man on the planet.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on November 21, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Why doesn’t the media just run for office…?
.. Charles Krauthammer and Bill Kristol 2012!!!
/
Seven Percent Solution on November 21, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Then let’s go nation-building in Afghanistan. Oh wait, that’s not a send-up, we’re actually doing that.
If America actually punished its enemies, like Afghanistan after 9/11, and never went in for meddling otherwise, I think the results would be better at a far cheaper cost.
David Blue on November 21, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Krauthammer and Kristol really seemed repulsed by Perry, maybe because of Perry’s manner of expressing himself. I didn’t like their reaction. I understand it, but I don’t like it.
jaime on November 21, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Dangerous as the world is, we have no hope of surviving in it if we don’t deal quickly and decisively with the problems we have at home. I am more concerned about entitlement reform than I am about any foreign policy decision.
Caiwyn on November 21, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Those two could head a media expedition liberation force to invade Syria.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on November 21, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Then, a political scientist who uses game theory to predict when a dictator will fall: A conversation with Bruce Bueno de Mesquita. Was on CNN and MSNBC he’s got a book out
He uses something called game theory to predict the when a dictator will fall he was on GPS with Fareed Zakaria yesterday it was an interesting segment. They did discuss Syria.
There doesn’t appear to be any video for his segment.
Dr Evil on November 21, 2011 at 11:06 PM
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/newt-gingrich-center-seat_607890.html
To compare and contrast. Hot air somehow missed Newt’s segment. In case anyone’s interested.
mike_NC9 on November 21, 2011 at 11:10 PM
I agree that we ALSO need to deal quickly and decisively with our problems at home.
But by the time somebody reaches the level of being President of the United States, we should expect them to be ready to handle BOTH foreign and domestic policy issues.
wren on November 21, 2011 at 11:15 PM
“The Dictator’s Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Bruce Bueno de Mesquita. Video explaining how to apply game theory.
From what I remember yesterday on the CNN segment, the magic number was 5 billion for the large Assad family to relocate/ they would also need a country that would take them in.
Dr Evil on November 21, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Yes. Let’s see where he is in a month or two.
LASue on November 21, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Hmmmm….let’s see. By then, the money will have completely dried up, so — Austin?
cynccook on November 21, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Isn’t a no-fly zone a blank cheque?
AshleyTKing on November 21, 2011 at 11:27 PM
AshleyTKing: “Isn’t a no-fly zone a blank cheque?”
It was in Libya. “No-fly zone” meant “war of annihilation” in the full military sense, meaning that the target regime is not merely forced to make concessions but wiped from history.
Of course Russia, China and everyone else now knows that these are the rules America plays by.
David Blue on November 21, 2011 at 11:46 PM
I want a right of return with many of these candidates.
profitsbeard on November 22, 2011 at 12:02 AM
AP is such a policy wonk, I am suprised he is not in government. I would be willing to be Perry knows a lot more about foreign policy then some dude who’s moniker is Allahpundit. If the name is not Romney, AP has something negative to say about them.
Zelsdorf Ragshaft on November 22, 2011 at 12:09 AM
That whole interview didn’t do him much good. He advocated his return to zero foreign aid policy,…when asked to name 2 nations he would refuse aid to, he named China and Venezuela. Then, Juan or someone asked him about Pakistan and he backed right down. Started mumbling about it being a very complicated situation. He’s got a bit of Cain disease. He makes broad sweeping generalizations for maximum inpact, then looks silly when he has to make exceptions if challenged.
a capella on November 22, 2011 at 12:10 AM
George Bush’s Iraq policies were disastrous for Iraqi Christians and Perry’s Syria policies would be disastrous for Syrian Christians. It’s hard to believe either Bush or Perry is Christian.
InkyBinkyBarleyBoo on November 22, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Yup – I’m not sure getting into dogfights with the Syrian air forces would help anything a whole lot.
whatcat on November 22, 2011 at 12:19 AM
The GOP contenders are a bunch of intellectual lightweights. They know nothing about foreign policy, having probably never even traveled abroad even on vacation – except, you know – to the country of Hawaii. The guy that knows the most about the topic, is, ironically, and sadly, the most unpopular guy.
lol
keep the change on November 22, 2011 at 12:24 AM
You made me smile.
And I mean that in a good way.
Methinks the pundit of allah, missed his calling by not being seated in the supercilious pseudointellectual seat on Special Report.
I detected no pause before the answer. None. I thought the look was more, “Great, now I will have to slap down Ron Paul again tomorrow night!”
For further clarity on things, watch some interviews on line. Perry was questioned by the NH Union Leader for 70 minutes at the end of Oct. and did marvelously well. See also the interview Perry gave a local SC paper The State on Vets Day in SC. He was still wearing his green flight jacket from being in the parade. It’s in my twitter TL, and the NHUL interview is on The Right Scoop.
Foreign policy is not Perry’s weakness. He is not good in the debates and that is fixable.
redneck hippie on November 22, 2011 at 12:44 AM
This is cringeworthy and sad to watch. The guy has no idea what he is talking about, he only knows how he generally feels about it. And just as Cain, he admits he doesn’t know a lot about these issues, or the specifics, or the “fine print”, and admits they are “confusing”, but in the same breath is certain that Obama was wrong in his handling.
Yes, from a laymans point of view, I, like Perry, think it is a good idea to “zero out” all foreign aid (which he should take a step further and rule out the possibility of ANY foreign humanitarian aid ever again….non negotiable). BUT it is stupid for him to state that he will meet with each country and work on a new plan, because there are….hmmmm…let’s see…….ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY countries that the U.S. gives aid to…..LOL! No one called him out on this (or any of other stupid remarks), just out of pure kindness.
nottakingsides on November 22, 2011 at 12:57 AM
Perry will bomb Syria rate after he cuts Israel down to $0 in foreign aid. ;)
MeatHeadinCA on November 22, 2011 at 1:02 AM
rate = right
MeatHeadinCA on November 22, 2011 at 1:02 AM
Well, for those interested in the home front, Perry’s had more experience there, and has actually proposed better ideas than either Gingrich or Romney (even supposing either of them could be trusted to implement spending and entitlement reform, or ORomneycare repeal, or reining in the EPA…).
SDN on November 22, 2011 at 1:05 AM
Oh, and InkyBinky? Bush’s policies were disastrous for Iraq’s Christians because a Copperhead Congress and then Obama were more interested in running away than finishing the job.
SDN on November 22, 2011 at 1:07 AM
Actually, the Perry meeting with the editorial board of the NH Union Leader is here
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302377-1
The video that is on The Right Scoop is the press conference in NH when Perry turned in his paperwork to gain ballot access.
redneck hippie on November 22, 2011 at 1:15 AM
Basically, yes, because he has already made it known he wants to put a fence around the US and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
We can’t take 4 more years of lunacy.
Voter from WA State on November 22, 2011 at 1:59 AM
Couldn’t even name two countries to whom he’d cut aid. Wouldn’t have said China if he hadn’t gotten off on that tangent. But no…let’s hear the Perrykrishnas lament Cain’s lack of foreign policy chops.
It’s not hard. Pakistan and Gaza, first and foremost.
MadisonConservative on November 22, 2011 at 3:49 AM
I like that Perry at least has a vision when it comes to America’s role in the world, that being said it’s why he’s going to need a VP with some street cred in foreign policy like a Dr. Rice or John Bolten, someone he trusts. Think about our last Presisents that came from governerships picked such a VP, George HW Bush and Dick Cheney.
So, until we cross that brigade what I’m looking for is how do you see America’s role in the world. He has me with China and the abortion thing, because it cuts to the core of what I believe America is about, protecting all life, wheather it be the unborn in China, the protester in Iran, or an African child with aids. Perry looks like that’s how he will view the world in terms of policy.
Also, he’s approaching forign aid in terms of earning it – stand with us and be successful with our money, instead of entitlement – oh we’ve been part of this institution so we got to give and show no ROI on our investment. This, I think, is a conservative view on FP.
Thats why I’m voting for him.
Conger on November 22, 2011 at 6:37 AM
allah
We are going to be fighting in the middle east for awhile as long as radical elements are killing people and disrupting this regions vital supplies to the world
Whether other countries start dismantling their social networks and rearming to protect their economies remains to be seen but the world cannot take another oil shock
EricPWJohnson on November 22, 2011 at 6:37 AM
My hunch is that he saw the smirking, condescending, vulture- like look on Krauthammer’s face through the whole interview and figured he better make damn sure he gave the right answer. The interview actually went pretty well. I’m not the least bit worried about Perry’s foreign policy- I’ve no doubt he would make decisions based on what is in our best interest.
kg598301 on November 22, 2011 at 7:40 AM
Well, it could have been Cain answering the question.
Well, I would build a team of Syria experts and have them analyse the situation. They would report to me, and I would also listen to the commanders on the ground, I mean, my commanders. We would need to see who we were helping and who we were hurting. Probably sometime in my second or third term, I mean no later than my second term I would be able to make that determination and make that judgement.
astonerii on November 22, 2011 at 8:18 AM
It’s funny, as even Dr. Condoleezza Rice agrees.
Just this past Sunday, she said “Syrian President Bashar Assad is taking his country to the brink of civil war.” She “tells CNN’s State of the Union that Assad “is no friend of the United States” and that his overthrow would be a “great thing” for the Syrian people, US interests, and anyone seeking a more peaceful Middle East.”
Condoleezza even said “the US should apply pressure with its allies or act alone.” She also called for the “toughest” possible penalties against Assad’s government.
TriciaNC on November 22, 2011 at 9:17 AM
After Libya, the Arab League will never “authorize” another NFZ. Nor will the UN, which is to say that China and Russia would veto it.
NATO way exceeded its “mandate”, and now everyone knows a NFZ would be a green light for NATO to take down Assad.
LarryD on November 22, 2011 at 9:34 AM
I was watching Dr Rice also being interviewed by Candy Crowley. I watched Fareed Zakaria GPS afterwards, he had on the guest that explained how game theory, can be applied to predict the shelf life of a dictator, and the different types of dictators. Basically he said Qaddaffi made a mistake loosing up his hold on Libyans in the last couple of years. It was his death warrant he convinced himself they really did love him- incredible but if Qaddaffi had kept his hard line approach to control Libyans, he would probably still be alive today. Fox News on Sunday mornings leaves something to be desired. The same person stated that the Assad family understand that rule about using a hard line against the Syrian population. He thought the only way to get rid of the Assad family from Syria, was to buy them off. From memory he mentioned 5 Billion dollars, and that they would need a country that would accept them to live our their lives. Bahrain has been known to offer dictators a place to live in exile
Brute force is not the only way to over throw a dictator, that’s pedestrian thinking.
What the Syrians have in common with Iraqis is the Baath party “Arab Socialist”
Dr Evil on November 22, 2011 at 10:24 AM
I was inexplicably categorized as a political science minor in college simply because I was attracted to game theory classes taught by Dr. Charles Winslow, considered one of the best around at the time (college for me was many years ago). I took three semesters of Game Theory, none of which has successfully translated into real world application so far but I was a Liberal Arts major anyway, so there it is. But here’s the thing: at least when I studied it, game theory wasn’t intended to divine the future although it could be used to define probable outcomes and (if enough was known) to determine best possible response to those varying outcomes: if x does y, then I gain advantage by doing c, that sort of thing. Corporate marketing firms and departments ‘war-game’ all the time. So, obviously, do Defense Department planners.
So yeah, I’m leery of a game theorist claiming to have found the Golden Algorithm that guarantees a given outcome if certain conditions are met. Every major human event, political or otherwise, is comprised of thousands or thousands of millions of variables. Accurately predicting outcome without fail would mean capturing all of those variables and successfully measuring their impact on the whole; that is, rating their value. If with a mainframe crunching the numbers, one would have to rely on human intelligence gathering to do the capture. Color me skeptical.
troyriser_gopftw on November 22, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Sorry: “…Even with a mainframe crunching the numbers…”
troyriser_gopftw on November 22, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Do any of our candidates read a newspaper?
jnelchef on November 22, 2011 at 1:51 PM
A no-fly zone over Syria?
Bad idea, their air defense is designed to protect them against the Israel Air Force. So their sophistication is of a magnitude greater than Libya.
To establish such zone over Syria will require a concerned suppression of air defense (SEAD) efforts tantamount to open war.
The Bad Idea Fairy strikes again.
El Coqui on November 22, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Plus, Perry has had Liz Cheney and John Bolton as his foreign policy advisers for awhile now. Talk about surrounding oneself with the best people.
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on November 22, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Interesting to note, Allah’s buddy, Ace, thinks Perry did just fine here:
Allah, I hope you read Ace today :o)
Aslans Girl on November 22, 2011 at 5:17 PM
I always love it when our own adopt the rhetoric of the left. Is there a Republican among the staff at HotAir or all you all RINOs?
Levinite on November 22, 2011 at 8:34 PM