http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-05/syrian-embassy-in-canberra-attacked/3812054

Last night up to 40 people stormed the Syrian consulate in Canberra, smashing everything and staff had to hide in a safe room.

IIRC there were plenty of opinions on here about the lack of security Iran provided for the British embassy when it was attacked a few months back.

Massive difference.

For starters this was likely Syrians trashing their own consulate in response to their government's brutal suppression and murder of civilians.

does the australian taxpayer have to pay to have the embassy fixed up?

We'd have to pay for the law enforcement agencies to investigate it. Which would probably cost a lot more than the damages.

Russia trades large amounts of $'s worth of weapons with Syria and God knows what else. So it is probably in their financial best interests to keep the dooche in power. As for China, they might be doing so because Russia asked a favour or they don't want the US getting whatever their agenda is in sticking their nose in (they always seem to have an agenda other then 'human rights').

I doubt they would have vetoed for something as petty as the income from selling the Syrians arms

Petty? Economic reasons are pretty strong reasons to do/not do something. Arms sales are huge, and possibly drug sales.

Russia is building its largest Sea Port outside of Russia for its Navel Fleet on Syrias Coastline.
It has a large stake in Syria, a stable Syria.

mmmm dictator style leadership really is the only thing that works in that part of the world unfortunately

Doesn't seem to be working real well.

For starters this was likely Syrians trashing their own consulate in response to their government's brutal suppression and murder of civilians.

I grew up over there so i will tell you this...

first off i do have family still living there and we speak over skype when they can get an internet connection..

the people that are 'protesting' are mostly Muslim brotherhood, most of the violence is taking place in Muslim area's, and its reporting is being inflated by likes of Al Jazeera.

I personally would be far more worried if the government handed control over to these people as it would mean the deaths of my family, relatives and many, many non Muslims, well i guess non suni Muslims(should make a point that the muslim brotherhood are extremists so don't judge all suni's based on the actions of the brotherhood).

another factor to consider in in this is hafes al asad's (previous ruler) exiled bother. it's rumoured that he has a big hand in what is happening and i wouldn't be surprised if his people don't have a hand in this..


either way dont take as a defence of the current government but in my view its the lesser of two evils. though i have a feeling Fixah will disagree..

last edited by TufNuT at 16:30:28 05/Feb/12

Because the other countries in the region are all arseholes? Seriously, name one good one.

what is with the middle east

seriously, get it together guys!

prior to WW2 the rest of the World didnt want the Jews either.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89vian_Conference



last edited by FaceMan at 02:25:48 06/Feb/12

Bit of an idea how serious Russia is taking Syria...

Moscow sources charged that the motion had been intended to pave the way for war in Iran and a bid to overthrow the Tehran regime.
debkafile's military sources report that the Russians backed their hard line against the West by putting Rapid Reaction Force (aka Spetsnaz) units in Black Sea bases on the ready to set out for Syria and defend Damascus.

A Cold War dimension has been injected into the Syrian crisis, which is fast descending into a sectarian war between Syria's ruling Alawites (Shiites) and the majority Sunnis. The regional dimension is provided by pitting Iran and Syria against Turkey and the Gulf Arabs.

http://www.debka.com/article/21710/
Somewhat similar to what has happened in Iraq with the Sunni Vs Shiite.

Somewhat similar to what has happened in Iraq with the Sunni Vs Shiite.

whats happening in Iraq happened in Syra back in the 80's but in the end the government lead by Hafes Al Asad won.. keep in mind that back then it was the Muslim brotherhood..

i guess in a way it goes to show that you can kill people but you cant kill an idea..