Attack in Damascus

This past Wednesday, an attack involving Syrian rebels and government troops in a 'rebel-ruled' neighborhood in Damascus has left hundreds dead. Much evidence suggesting the use of chemical weapons has sparked an international outrage and questions regarding whether the US will take action. Last year President Obama said Syria's use of chemical weapons would be crossing a line and if they were utilized, Obama would change his stance.

Iran has also spoken out warning against Western intervention. They believe there is proof the Syrian rebels were responsible for the attack.

So far neither the Syrian government nor the rebels have admitted to using chemical weapons. Regardless of who was responsible, the effects of the attack are horrendous.

The questions that linger are these: Will the US intervene? Who was behind the attack?


Warning: the above video is quite graphic.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/08/24/Iran-s-Rowhani-points-to-chemical-weapons-use-in-Syria-.html
http://news.yahoo.com/syria-accuses-rebels-using-chemical-weapons-141457992.html
http://www.france24.com/en/20130824-msf-confirms-hundreds-dead-thousands-injured-syria-suspected-chemical-attack

More babies = more power?

I came across an article about the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's desire for Turkish women to have more children. Turkey's birth rate has declined in recent years and Erdogan is not satisfied, "It's my right as president to say that it's beneficial that women give birth to at least three children". 

Last year, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babcan said "Population means power. Twenty-seven countries sit there at the table, but when Germany and France decide on something, those with populations of 1.5 million to 2 million like Estonia and Latvia are hardly having any say". 

Being a young woman and having strong opinions regarding women's rights, I don't think he has the right to 'mandate' any sort of birth quota. While Turkey's PM does have the right to say it certainly, doesn't mean he should enforce this idea. "If [President Vladimir] Putin was able to say such a statement in Russia [telling women to have three or more children], why can't I say it in Turkey?" 

As far as regarding having power in the EU, I'm not sure how population affects power there. I can't find a straight answer regarding that but from what I have found I can deduce that population does in fact equal power. Correct me if I'm incorrect. 

This post was a bit different than usual. Just an interesting article that caught my eye. Let me know your thoughts. 

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2013/08/09/Erodogan-urges-Turks-to-have-more-babies-raise-them-correctly-.html