Venezuela air attack

Hmm , it was thought, at the time , that getting rid of
Gaddafi and or Sadam Hussein was a good thing, look how
that has all turned out. The exodus continues from both
countries

AuntieE

MaizieD

I wish the US military would just refuse to obey him.

Then what a load of court martials there would be!

A sufficiently high-ranking officer can attempt to dissuade his commander-in-chief (president or monarch) from a course of action, but unless the order directly contradicts the Geneva convention for warfare, and /or a direct ruling from the International Court in the Hague, he or she cannot just disobey a given order.

And not being either a civil or military lawyer, I am in doubt as to whether even if you can prove the Geneva convention forbids the course of action, it is wise or possible to say no.

After all, it depends entirely on the c-in-c if you can get away with declining to obey.

If the c-in-c is Putin, obviously you can't, and the way Trump is heading, I doubt he will put up with officers disobeying him either.

They could, of course, resign their commissions.

They could, of course, resign their commissions.

Perhaps the honourable amongst them will.

Assuming no reason resigning was not allowed.

butterandjam

Whitewavemark2

Following on from their illegal attacks on boats on the high seas, where they have killed all souls on board.

The USA is out of control.

Trumps crazed outburst at New Year was surely proof he's completely lost the plot. Now this :-(

USA urgently needs regime change.

Nice to see yourself and Whitewave supporting a tryrant like Maduro.

120 Members of Congress are now calling for his reservation,
Members from both parties

David49

butterandjam

Whitewavemark2

Following on from their illegal attacks on boats on the high seas, where they have killed all souls on board.

The USA is out of control.

Trumps crazed outburst at New Year was surely proof he's completely lost the plot. Now this :-(

USA urgently needs regime change.

Nice to see yourself and Whitewave supporting a tryrant like Maduro.

I support the international rule of law.

I do not support the right of mighty nations doing what they like.

But of course you know that.

So USA in effect annexing and running Venezuela and - surprise, surprise - take over the oil industry.

The whole thing makes me feel uncomfortable.

Trump is on live just now on BBC news

David your argument is specious. One can be against The Venezuelan president and also deplore the actions of Trump. But I suspect you know that and despite your protestations, you are a Trump apologist.

Grandmabatty

US have attacked Venezuela with missiles. This is unforgivable

The House of Representatives, The Senate and The Congress had not been notified and therefore in the Usa, this is considered illegal and against The Constitution.

All for some "oil" !!! The key to this madness.

I agree that this is unforgivable and also illegal ..

So it takes a good deal of military might to take over a sovereign nation and pinch its oil.

How many soldiers will it take? How is it going to be paid for. Has congress indicated agreement?

It is wrong behaviour.

@Rescuing it's citizens@ is one thing.

Taking over the Country is quite another.

And all without approval of where Trump is supposed to get it from.

I am glad Congress is waking up.

imaround

I am glad Congress is waking up.

Are you watching the presser?

imaround

I am glad Congress is waking up.

The sooner the better!

I don't know what to think yet about the state of Venezuela, but I was disgusted by the photograph of Madura, shackled, handcuffed , blindfolded, wearing ear defenders, presumably on board the craft taking him to America. I hope his wife is accorded better treatment.

Cuba next apparently. They do have oil fields so that is a good bet.

It’s like a one man fight to encourage climate warming.

The US will have no comeback if China's ambition to take back Taiwan is put into force, when they've behaved in a similar fashion.

Whitewavemark2

It’s like a one man fight to encourage climate warming.

My first thought, too…

Whitewavemark2

Cuba next apparently. They do have oil fields so that is a good bet.

Attacking Cuba is not likely, too many memories of the Bay of Pigs debacle.

My own predictions for Venezuela do not include US “boots on the ground”, the US will support a new moderate government and destroy the drug cartels. If you want another target in the Caribbean, Columbia is a prime candidate

Well, whether Trump does or doesn’t,

He announced that Cuba is next at the press conference.

The USA is supporting the existing Maduro’s government and not the more democratically popular opposition. The leader of which has recently won a peace prize. So make that what you will.

It is Iraq all over again, Trump has no forward plans for Venezuela other than grap the oil.

Drugs is the headline but oil is what it is all about. So, unless Columbia has masses of untapped oil, Trump won’t be interested.

TerriBull

The US will have no comeback if China's ambition to take back Taiwan is put into force, when they've behaved in a similar fashion.

Eventually Taiwan will be lost, China is just too strong to fight in their own back yard, the US can’t use its Navy to support Taiwan it’s far too vulnerable to Chinese missiles. Just like Ukraine the US is not going to risk nuclear war over Taiwan.

Currently Taiwan is useful to the Communist Party in China, distracting domestic opinion from other issues and Taiwan does trade usefully with China

The interview with Trump was a shambles