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THIS JUST IN ~ CURRENT CRIME STORIES (5 Viewers)

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ONGOING CRIME BREAKING NEWS!

Starting in January 2020, this thread is about the news as it breaks!


Bernard Madoff says he is dying and is asking a judge for compassionate release from prison, where he is serving 150 years for orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in history, according to a Wednesday federal court filing.

Madoff, 81, has terminal kidney failure and a life expectancy of less than 18 months. When the court sentenced him, “it was clear that Madoff’s 150-year prison sentence was symbolic for three reasons: retribution, deterrence, and for the victims,” the court filing states. “This Court must now consider whether keeping Madoff incarcerated … is truly in furtherance of statutory sentencing goals and our society’s value and understanding of compassion.”

Madoff said in the request for compassionate release that he “does not dispute the severity of his crimes.”


IMO- stay in jail
 
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They let out Assad's political prisoners, is how I read it.
All prisoners i think, including some women and children. We will have to see. The rebels used to be allied with Al Qaeda and they are not presently recognised by the US. President Trump has already made a comment about staying out of it and Israel are protecting their Golan heights border. Could be some instability for a while though.
 
This video is discussing the Daniel Penny case re the mistrial issue. 48 minutes.

I like this guy - the Lawyer you Know. He's on with his Dad in this one.

 
What appeal? There was no verdict to appeal.
She's appealing the mistrial isn't she? Well she's appealing something. Maybe i have it wrong. I'll check the thread. I thought she was appealing the fact she got the not guilty on one count but they declared a mistrial instead of going back to the jury on the remaining counts? No?
Sort of the opposite to this Penny trial.
 
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no, I haven't
I know a person or two has sent her a delivery before. could we send her something that needs to be signed for? she may just be taking a break, honestly I think I am close to doing the same, have a few times over the yrs for various reasons, but I'm getting more worried by the day. She may well be fine.

I would have thought this MN healthcare guy might have brought her on but nope.

I just hope she's okay or relatively so which is where many of us are at. Alive and kicking anyhow. Well I could not "kick" right now but nothing would stop her if she needed to. :)

Good to see you by the way!
 
This video is discussing the Daniel Penny case re the mistrial issue. 48 minutes.

I like this guy - the Lawyer you Know. He's on with his Dad in this one.


I have watched him many a time. He is a little much for me at times lol but nothing really for or against him.

Man coming into this current news thread and between Syria and Cousin Vinnie or Benny, I'm lost. And don't have it in me right now to wade through either. Not sure I ever will.

I've also seen him with his dad, also a lawyer if I recall or is dad former LE? I found him around the same time frame Melanie Little also did a channel. Also a lawyer.

I can't comment to the cases or events as I am very not up on either. And probably won't be anytime soon.

I have some comments to some things, but since not well informed, not going to.

Wow, had no idea. But then I haven't even been on here, the computer or YT much recently like normal.

Hope everyone is doing well. Not been my best recent time but also know that's true or even worse for others.

Holy sh*t had no idea about this Syria stuff.

Will likely never catch up but sure I will get the gist at some point. Hopefully.

The few posts I also read about the is it Pflum? Case? I mean without knowing more that sure has me like huh?

I might need to just watch some Lawyer You Know or something. When can't, watching someone can at least catch someone up on all. That's how I felt with Tom in Delphi. He was always more up to date than the thread or most often anyhow.

And yet I am trying not to take on new stuff.

Anyhow, wanted or was tempted to comment about the appeal thing but wasn't sure of the details so didn't.

I know that you know a whole lot more about our system than most of us do about yours. Every state has a fair amount of autonomy, state and federal are different, etc. IMHO it is a good and a bad thing at times. And it can cover the gamut from crimes to laws to schools to other rules. Federal is supposed to trump all or used to.

Meaning if a state has gone ballistic or done something against other fed law and so on.

I'm probably not talking specific to anything about whatever case for sure, just about the system.

Trying to explain it a bit I guess.

Sanctuary cities imo are not legal but they exist and it goes on.

I will stop there with that because it is about impossible to talk of, but every state's laws can differ, even a city's and so on unless there is a federal law at least that's how imo it used to be, and is supposed to be.

I experienced two states during Covid. Was living back and forth, etc. The difference in them was NOTABLE.

I am sure it is probably hard to fathom, but again you know it far better than I know your system for instance. Do your separate cities, counties, states, provinces, whatever you call all, have their own laws and powers or does a higher power rule all?

It sounds stupid but one reason I watch a Canadian channel on something as mundane as school lunches and grocery shopping is because of the differences and learning them. Their grocery prices OMG, and ours are high. But then too their income is different, etc.

I'm going on but it's like on here, the first time I heard someone couldn't pump their own gas in some states, I was like WHAT? We have ten year olds doing such. It was crazy to me.

I haven't traveled the world by a long shot but went to the same spot in MX for about ten years and over that time got to know locals and really talked about things and compared differences. Some of them had a lot of misconceptions about here, as we get fed about there.

The best part of such is seeing there are a ton of good people everywhere. Even today. Just following crime or watching news can have one wondering for good reason.

Pretty sure you are probably more "traveled" than I.

Kind of an offbeat post, O/T even, but just kind of winded to that.

I really would need to look at the things talked about recently here but just talking about our system.

And imo, it's a mess for a long time now.

I know a bit of yours, I am not impressed with sentences in either country, or Canada as I follow a bit with all. Not all of the time but have. Politics, etc.

Serious question, do you have appeals courts or if so, what are they called?

Neddies I think I have down pat now.

Hugs. Not sure here if I am going to get home for our Christmas. Planned early. Saturday of this week. Took time off for but sore as sh*t still.

But know things could always be worse. Not sure going to come thru well is all.

Anyhow, imo our system is a mess, politics are affecting crimes and more, and you've seen yourself the years some things take. Yet it just gets accepted and people I guess are so busy working to support self and own that it just gets worse plus news never tells you of the changes. Nor do the politiicans. Always learn it after in place.

Sickening.

Okay, I am going to stop.

We have the most beautiful poinsettias and porch pots and more at work this year at one helluva good price. I've been there three winters now and this year, my goodness are they nice. If I could I'd send you one for this year.

I'd send everyone one actually. Of course not going to happen.

Okay I am just going on and you probably ask why me...

But back to the somewhat point I had, you know our system I think better than most of us know yours. And it's hard to explain. I know it came up a lot in Maxwell/Epstein. And honestly most of us I'd say don't even know how varying states differ.

I can pump my own gas, I had my kids do it when younger, grandkids later, etc. It's still a shock to me how all differ.

If you get a chance, tell me how it differs there. Country to country or even town to town, etc. County. So on.

Anyhow, I am being an idiot.

Came in, don't know either thing that are the hot topics. Not my best week.

But HUGS. To all.
 
I have watched him many a time. He is a little much for me at times lol but nothing really for or against him.

Man coming into this current news thread and between Syria and Cousin Vinnie or Benny, I'm lost. And don't have it in me right now to wade through either. Not sure I ever will.

I've also seen him with his dad, also a lawyer if I recall or is dad former LE? I found him around the same time frame Melanie Little also did a channel. Also a lawyer.

I can't comment to the cases or events as I am very not up on either. And probably won't be anytime soon.

I have some comments to some things, but since not well informed, not going to.

Wow, had no idea. But then I haven't even been on here, the computer or YT much recently like normal.

Hope everyone is doing well. Not been my best recent time but also know that's true or even worse for others.

Holy sh*t had no idea about this Syria stuff.

Will likely never catch up but sure I will get the gist at some point. Hopefully.

The few posts I also read about the is it Pflum? Case? I mean without knowing more that sure has me like huh?

I might need to just watch some Lawyer You Know or something. When can't, watching someone can at least catch someone up on all. That's how I felt with Tom in Delphi. He was always more up to date than the thread or most often anyhow.

And yet I am trying not to take on new stuff.

Anyhow, wanted or was tempted to comment about the appeal thing but wasn't sure of the details so didn't.

I know that you know a whole lot more about our system than most of us do about yours. Every state has a fair amount of autonomy, state and federal are different, etc. IMHO it is a good and a bad thing at times. And it can cover the gamut from crimes to laws to schools to other rules. Federal is supposed to trump all or used to.

Meaning if a state has gone ballistic or done something against other fed law and so on.

I'm probably not talking specific to anything about whatever case for sure, just about the system.

Trying to explain it a bit I guess.

Sanctuary cities imo are not legal but they exist and it goes on.

I will stop there with that because it is about impossible to talk of, but every state's laws can differ, even a city's and so on unless there is a federal law at least that's how imo it used to be, and is supposed to be.

I experienced two states during Covid. Was living back and forth, etc. The difference in them was NOTABLE.

I am sure it is probably hard to fathom, but again you know it far better than I know your system for instance. Do your separate cities, counties, states, provinces, whatever you call all, have their own laws and powers or does a higher power rule all?

It sounds stupid but one reason I watch a Canadian channel on something as mundane as school lunches and grocery shopping is because of the differences and learning them. Their grocery prices OMG, and ours are high. But then too their income is different, etc.

I'm going on but it's like on here, the first time I heard someone couldn't pump their own gas in some states, I was like WHAT? We have ten year olds doing such. It was crazy to me.

I haven't traveled the world by a long shot but went to the same spot in MX for about ten years and over that time got to know locals and really talked about things and compared differences. Some of them had a lot of misconceptions about here, as we get fed about there.

The best part of such is seeing there are a ton of good people everywhere. Even today. Just following crime or watching news can have one wondering for good reason.

Pretty sure you are probably more "traveled" than I.

Kind of an offbeat post, O/T even, but just kind of winded to that.

I really would need to look at the things talked about recently here but just talking about our system.

And imo, it's a mess for a long time now.

I know a bit of yours, I am not impressed with sentences in either country, or Canada as I follow a bit with all. Not all of the time but have. Politics, etc.

Serious question, do you have appeals courts or if so, what are they called?

Neddies I think I have down pat now.

Hugs. Not sure here if I am going to get home for our Christmas. Planned early. Saturday of this week. Took time off for but sore as sh*t still.

But know things could always be worse. Not sure going to come thru well is all.

Anyhow, imo our system is a mess, politics are affecting crimes and more, and you've seen yourself the years some things take. Yet it just gets accepted and people I guess are so busy working to support self and own that it just gets worse plus news never tells you of the changes. Nor do the politiicans. Always learn it after in place.

Sickening.

Okay, I am going to stop.

We have the most beautiful poinsettias and porch pots and more at work this year at one helluva good price. I've been there three winters now and this year, my goodness are they nice. If I could I'd send you one for this year.

I'd send everyone one actually. Of course not going to happen.

Okay I am just going on and you probably ask why me...

But back to the somewhat point I had, you know our system I think better than most of us know yours. And it's hard to explain. I know it came up a lot in Maxwell/Epstein. And honestly most of us I'd say don't even know how varying states differ.

I can pump my own gas, I had my kids do it when younger, grandkids later, etc. It's still a shock to me how all differ.

If you get a chance, tell me how it differs there. Country to country or even town to town, etc. County. So on.

Anyhow, I am being an idiot.

Came in, don't know either thing that are the hot topics. Not my best week.

But HUGS. To all.
Well Penny was actually acquitted so that was good. Yes we have appeals here but we are much smaller so England and Wales have one appeal court and one supreme court, i believe. Scotland and Ireland have their own too. Appeals are rare and take a long time and are usually held at the Old Bailey, I think.

Yes a lot going on with Syria. I think Assad went to Russia.

Hope you are feeling better.
💐
 
Well Penny was actually acquitted so that was good. Yes we have appeals here but we are much smaller so England and Wales have one appeal court and one supreme court, i believe. Scotland and Ireland have their own too. Appeals are rare and take a long time and are usually held at the Old Bailey, I think.

Yes a lot going on with Syria. I think Assad went to Russia.

Hope you are feeling better.
💐
I'm not and not better soon enough, keep hoping each day, but thank you. I hope you are doing okay.

Not really up on these at all. I read a Benny Post or two, but not a Penny, wasn't sure if the same or not. Even case. Guess I need to go back and read.

Syria was news to me. It isn't like I stick my head in the sand but I honestly haven't even even been online much. Wow.

Things recently or some of what I have seen are not a huge surprise considering the timing and all.

So that's like having your own federal courts, and I get smaller but do you have appeals courts in each area or state too??

And yeah, they generally take a long time here too and they don't even have to take them on, accept the case.

Maybe it's age, crime, don't know but curious how elsewhere works.

I've seen of course some cases and even TV shows, I know a BIT about your area, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, some other countries with a case or two.

What I have discovered over the last several years some time ago is we aren't the only ones getting soft on sentencing, and some other things.

That much I know.

It is just of interest to me maybe the older I get. Lol.

I'm sure you know not only cooking but I also watch (she's off again or not popping up for me) Linda in Canada re crime and it's outrageous the handling of same cases, imo.

I do think, am I wrong, our country probably shares more publicly on cases as they progress than yours. But of course now a ton are trying not to and seal everything.

The world has gone crazy... I could say lol but then it's also not funny.

The other thing here, not sure if similar there, is everyone can be ousted out after a term. Well congress is different but other than that...

Depending on the state or federal, etc. and some CAN stay longer if unopposed or re-elected, but for instance a sheriff is four years, I think a DA the same. People are under are "employed" often but politics and politics these days.

You take a case that takes years and it's often never the same people on it.

Same investigators, judges, prosecutors, more. Varying states. Etc. I guess I am just where I can't do much right now and not even on here much but seeing it all.

Even work. We aren't that BIG but just our store has four GMs. Got a new one a year ago or so. The other three have went by the wayside. Dept mgrs change all of the time. It's ridiculous imo. I will leave that there.

Anyhow just yakking, and sore. Generations which is not unusual, not getting the next.

That whole United case, I mean OMG. I haven't been on a lot but know of that one and Hannah, not even been on YT. Such types are just so alien to me.

But if unchecked and raised different or no controls, morals, etc. look what can happen. Then there's the fame factor. I don't know.

I am wandering but just really thinking of some things.

Am truly interested in the difference of our countries, etc. And things like that these days.

What really pizzes me off is as the story goes, we broke away from over there from taxation and other things, but it happened here and I'd say you have it better that way today.

It is weird, I get the United HC thing but what did some was he 25 year old think he was going to accompish? Yeah corporate America and powers that be can be dirty, The world has gone to he77 over many years.

BK comes to mind meaning ID, 4 U students murdered.

Maybe the internet is just exposing more and influencing more.

Enough. I think I am making sense but I am sidetracking.

I hope you, the kids and the neddies are doing well. New one I learned lol.

Clearly when I am on here, I'm in kind of a processing mode the past days.

My cats are a bit of problem children. On the other hand, they know sometthing's wrong.

It hardly ever got light out today.

Getting older bites.

Going on too much but really am interested in the differences in our systems. And believe me, I truly do not think much of ours although like yours they don't stone people or anything, but I think it truly needs help. The one thing I do trust is most juries. And that system likely one day will be not the same.

I am just letting out some things. Anywho if I recall, are you still rainy and wet all the time? It was so dark here today, most all day...

Anyone on here who ever hears from @Mel70 I hope you will let others know.

And I am wish you Tresir a Merry Christmas and others too. Or at least an okay one.

This is a stupid post, however, the crazy sh*t and older some of us get... I guess that's another thing about the internet too. I've always been pretty small town midwest USA. I'm starting to appreciate such more and more but am exposed to and see a lot more.

Both a good and bad thing.

Not to you, just in one of those times with a lot of it. I can finally type, albeit on a tiny keyboard. Probably a good thing LOL.

Hoping to go home this week for our family Christmas but not sure i will be able to.

And just thinking the world has gone nuts. But I guess it always has been too.

Well there''s been distraction this week for any who needed it I'd say. Both from the Ebiker, Hannah, etc.

Anyhow, I sound like an idiot, And know it.

But hope you and everyone else is doing well or at least coping.

Said it more than once but hope Mel is okay and I sure hope if anyone knows, they share such, just that she's okay. Thinking of you and yours and everyone and everything on here, etc. I guess.

SO I will manage to change tunes if I ever feel better but boy, the UHC thing. If I felt better I'd probably be all over it. Hannah the same.

I guess I am just for the first time today (night) managing and keyboard, etc. is a nightmare but managing or getting used to. Along with a touch pad that I've never learned.

11 days to RA's sentencing. Just realized. I SO want that for the girls' families.

Ok. Clearly I need to go. This is when cooking channels are necessary.
 
I'm not and not better soon enough, keep hoping each day, but thank you. I hope you are doing okay.

Not really up on these at all. I read a Benny Post or two, but not a Penny, wasn't sure if the same or not. Even case. Guess I need to go back and read.

Syria was news to me. It isn't like I stick my head in the sand but I honestly haven't even even been online much. Wow.

Things recently or some of what I have seen are not a huge surprise considering the timing and all.

So that's like having your own federal courts, and I get smaller but do you have appeals courts in each area or state too??

And yeah, they generally take a long time here too and they don't even have to take them on, accept the case.

Maybe it's age, crime, don't know but curious how elsewhere works.

I've seen of course some cases and even TV shows, I know a BIT about your area, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, some other countries with a case or two.

What I have discovered over the last several years some time ago is we aren't the only ones getting soft on sentencing, and some other things.

That much I know.

It is just of interest to me maybe the older I get. Lol.

I'm sure you know not only cooking but I also watch (she's off again or not popping up for me) Linda in Canada re crime and it's outrageous the handling of same cases, imo.

I do think, am I wrong, our country probably shares more publicly on cases as they progress than yours. But of course now a ton are trying not to and seal everything.

The world has gone crazy... I could say lol but then it's also not funny.

The other thing here, not sure if similar there, is everyone can be ousted out after a term. Well congress is different but other than that...

Depending on the state or federal, etc. and some CAN stay longer if unopposed or re-elected, but for instance a sheriff is four years, I think a DA the same. People are under are "employed" often but politics and politics these days.

You take a case that takes years and it's often never the same people on it.

Same investigators, judges, prosecutors, more. Varying states. Etc. I guess I am just where I can't do much right now and not even on here much but seeing it all.

Even work. We aren't that BIG but just our store has four GMs. Got a new one a year ago or so. The other three have went by the wayside. Dept mgrs change all of the time. It's ridiculous imo. I will leave that there.

Anyhow just yakking, and sore. Generations which is not unusual, not getting the next.

That whole United case, I mean OMG. I haven't been on a lot but know of that one and Hannah, not even been on YT. Such types are just so alien to me.

But if unchecked and raised different or no controls, morals, etc. look what can happen. Then there's the fame factor. I don't know.

I am wandering but just really thinking of some things.

Am truly interested in the difference of our countries, etc. And things like that these days.

What really pizzes me off is as the story goes, we broke away from over there from taxation and other things, but it happened here and I'd say you have it better that way today.

It is weird, I get the United HC thing but what did some was he 25 year old think he was going to accompish? Yeah corporate America and powers that be can be dirty, The world has gone to he77 over many years.

BK comes to mind meaning ID, 4 U students murdered.

Maybe the internet is just exposing more and influencing more.

Enough. I think I am making sense but I am sidetracking.

I hope you, the kids and the neddies are doing well. New one I learned lol.

Clearly when I am on here, I'm in kind of a processing mode the past days.

My cats are a bit of problem children. On the other hand, they know sometthing's wrong.

It hardly ever got light out today.

Getting older bites.

Going on too much but really am interested in the differences in our systems. And believe me, I truly do not think much of ours although like yours they don't stone people or anything, but I think it truly needs help. The one thing I do trust is most juries. And that system likely one day will be not the same.

I am just letting out some things. Anywho if I recall, are you still rainy and wet all the time? It was so dark here today, most all day...

Anyone on here who ever hears from @Mel70 I hope you will let others know.

And I am wish you Tresir a Merry Christmas and others too. Or at least an okay one.

This is a stupid post, however, the crazy sh*t and older some of us get... I guess that's another thing about the internet too. I've always been pretty small town midwest USA. I'm starting to appreciate such more and more but am exposed to and see a lot more.

Both a good and bad thing.

Not to you, just in one of those times with a lot of it. I can finally type, albeit on a tiny keyboard. Probably a good thing LOL.

Hoping to go home this week for our family Christmas but not sure i will be able to.

And just thinking the world has gone nuts. But I guess it always has been too.

Well there''s been distraction this week for any who needed it I'd say. Both from the Ebiker, Hannah, etc.

Anyhow, I sound like an idiot, And know it.

But hope you and everyone else is doing well or at least coping.

Said it more than once but hope Mel is okay and I sure hope if anyone knows, they share such, just that she's okay. Thinking of you and yours and everyone and everything on here, etc. I guess.

SO I will manage to change tunes if I ever feel better but boy, the UHC thing. If I felt better I'd probably be all over it. Hannah the same.

I guess I am just for the first time today (night) managing and keyboard, etc. is a nightmare but managing or getting used to. Along with a touch pad that I've never learned.

11 days to RA's sentencing. Just realized. I SO want that for the girls' families.

Ok. Clearly I need to go. This is when cooking channels are necessary.
The ebiker assassin had a 3D printed gun that he made and pins in his spine. His mum reported him missing from San Francisco on the 18th November. So it could be a grudge killing?

We don't have states here, only counties. Our whole country fits into your great lakes. (See below) So, no we dont have appeal courts in every county.

Now i am looking at 3D printed guns and they have been around for a while. I didn't realise they were more than just a toy. There was a guy in Wales recently jailed for 5 years for making one.

World is going crazy when teens can make guns.



Screenshot_20241210-100304_Chrome.jpg
 
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Pay lock.
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UK NEWS WEBSITE OF THE YEAR 2024
Log in


The fall of Assad is a disaster for Barack Obama​

The Syrian civil war could have been ended years ago had the former president not failed to act on his ‘red line’

764

Syrian opposition members in London cheer the downfall of Bashar al-Assad

Syrian opposition members in London cheer the downfall of Bashar al-Assad Credit: Benjamin Cremel/AFP via Getty
Azeem Ibrahim
09 December 2024 6:12pm GMT

The regime of Bashar al-Assad has collapsed. He has fled Damascus for Moscow, leaving Syria’s rebels – diverse in tribe, race, and religion – in control. Torture chambers like those at Mezzeh and Sednaya are being opened, and the remaining archives will expose the machinery of Syria’s system of mass murder. The swiftness of this victory reveals that Assad’s regime, always hollow, could have been defeated a decade ago had the West acted decisively.

Over 600,000 people have died in the war, millions have been displaced, and thousands perished trying to escape. The war also resulted in the birth of Isis, in a severe blow to global security. While responsibility for these tragedies lie squarely at the feet of Assad’s regime, they also reflect the failure of Western powers – chiefly former president Barack Obama – to act when it mattered most.

In 2013, Assad’s forces used sarin gas in Ghouta, killing more than 1,000 civilians. Obama had declared that use of chemical weapons constituted a “red line”, promising severe consequences if crossed. Yet when the moment came, the response was a hollow diplomatic deal brokered by Russia. This agreement led to unreliable inspections of Assad’s chemical stockpiles, allowing the regime to continue its campaign of terror. The inaction shattered US credibility, emboldened Assad, and invited intervention by Russia and Iran.

Relentless air strikes​

Russia’s military entered the Syrian civil war in 2015, targeting civilian areas – especially hospitals – with relentless air strikes, while Iran mobilised militias, including Hezbollah, to massacre opposition forces on the ground. These interventions, fuelled by the West’s perceived weakness, prolonged Assad’s survival. But as 2024 comes to an end, Russia is bogged down in Ukraine, and Iran’s militias have been degraded by Israeli actions. The Assad regime’s rapid collapse underscores what was always evident: it was fundamentally weak and could have been toppled a decade earlier.

At that time, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) – a multi-ethnic opposition umbrella group – was ready to govern. Comprising defectors from the Syrian Arab Army and civil society leaders, it envisioned a pluralistic Syria. Assad’s forces were flailing, facing tough opposition in Aleppo, the Damascus suburbs, and Kurdish-majority areas. Isis had not yet risen, and Russia’s intervention was still years away. The SNC, bolstered by the Free Syrian Army (FSA), stood as a viable alternative to Assad’s rule.

Targeted strikes on Assad’s chemical and aerial capabilities in 2013 could have changed the war’s trajectory. These actions, along with enforcing a no-fly zone, arming vetted FSA groups, and transferring Syria’s United Nations seat to the SNC, were achievable and could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. But Obama’s hesitance allowed Assad to regroup, destroy opposition strongholds with chemical weapons, and set a precedent for atrocities that would define the war.

The failure to act in 2013 also delayed US involvement until the full emergence of Isis in 2014, by which point the situation had deteriorated beyond recognition. Programmes like the American Train and Equip initiative came too late to counter Assad directly, focusing instead on combating Isis. Meanwhile, Assad and his allies entrenched their control through sieges, gas attacks, and forced evacuations – a strategy documented extensively by organisations like the Global Public Policy Institute.

Assad’s desperation in 2013 was evident in his resort to chemical weapons, an act of both cruelty and weakness. Yet Obama’s failure to respond decisively emboldened the regime, providing space for Russia and Iran to assert dominance. By the time strikes on Assad’s chemical arsenal occurred in 2017 and 2018, they were too late to prevent the immense human and geopolitical toll of the war.

Now, as Syria’s rebels take control, the regime’s hollow foundation is laid bare. Russia and Iran, once its lifelines, are preoccupied elsewhere. But this outcome could have been achieved years earlier, sparing countless lives and preserving much more of the fabric of Syrian society.

The collapse of Assad’s regime is a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. The Obama administration’s failure to enforce its red line in 2013 not only prolonged the war but also undermined US credibility. Syria’s tragedy is a testament to what happens when moral courage and strategic foresight are absent from international leadership.
 
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