The Pentagon is readying for the possibility of intervention in Syria, aiming to halt Syrian President Bashsar Assad's violent crackdown on protesters, the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Saturday, citing a US military offical.| Who if he's smart will really remain someone who spoke 'on condition of anonymity'... |
The measure would pave the way for the US to declare an aerial blockade on Syria.
The intercession is to be modeled after NATO's efforts in Kosovo, which brought an end to the Serbian control of the region. NATO's plan of action included prolonged aerial shelling.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Pentagon does not anticipate a change of heart on the part of China or Russia, who have opposed foreign intervention or sanctions against Syria. But the US expects the two nations to join the humanitarian aid efforts, support a ceasefire between the Syrian regime and rebels and send special UN envoys to investigate the developments in the country.
| Not one chance in the world of that happening. Iran, Russia and China simply will not allow Syria to slip away from them. |
The military official said in the interview that the plan is a cautious one, and takes into account the Syrian air force's advanced capabilities.
| 'Advanced capabilities' is a relative term -- ask the Israeli Air Force. |