Syria

[Suff]

The next Beirut???

[pederito1]

Damascus is not quite like Beirut...er...yet! Syria could well be another Lebanon or the "triumph" of the western attacks on Iraq where now it is only a news item when there is not a car bomb on the day and many killed.

[KateLMead]

One of my daughters went to school in Beirut I was struck by the poverty of the refugees and homeless living in tents there and the beggars on the streets. and on the other hand the wealth in the country that was very obvious.

[Workingman]

Yesterday Russia agreed to supply surface to air missiles to Assad. These are capable of bringing down planes and ballistic missiles. They are described as "defensive" weapons, but with a range of 150km, and if they fall into the wrong hands (Hezbollah), they could easily become "offensive". Israel will not be amused.

Today there is a falling out between various groups of rebels, all of whom have their own agendas and really only speak for themselves.

Do we honestly want/need to get involved?

[KateLMead]

I agree Frank, very worrying and it wont just stop there if we become embroiled.