Russia says jet shot down near Turkey-Syria border

[Igel]

146. Two reasons, as far as I can tell.

The first is that the rebellion was in large measure homegrown, fomented originally by the urban educated. The revolt was to lead to a progressive, secular government led by technocrats. While this doesn't appeal to the SWP branch of the DU party, it does appeal to the technocrat (D) branch.

It also appealed to the "they're just like us because they have a similar label" crowd. You still see that kind of label-as-reality thinking.

The second is that it wasn't fostered by an (R), but by a (D) president and multiple NATO leaders left of center. The Iraq was was successfully ended by Obama's deft negotiating skills, the Arab Spring was launching secular, liberal democracies across the Arab world (making Obama glorious in spreading peace and democracy where Bush II only spread war and depleted uranium).


It was the same when Bush II was in power and Pelosi went to Damascus and declared Assad a partner in reform. He was the same arrogant dictator then he was in 2010, but the label mattered and opposition to Bush II's desire for Assad to be driven from power was important. Not because Assad was a good guy--the label was absurd, even though easily accepted by some--but because politics.