Must Assad Still Go? The Times coverage of Obamas speech to the UN includes this chin-stroker: Mr. Obama also said the United States would train and equip moderate opposition forces in Syria to counter the government of President Bashar al-Assad, and he repeated calls for a political settlement to end a civil war that has killed more than 200,000 people. “Cynics may argue that such an outcome can never come to pass. But there is no other way for this madness to end – whether one year from now or ten,” he said. “I can promise you America will remain engaged in the region, and we are prepared to engage in that effort.” Sometimes its whats left unsaid that is interesting - what happened to Assad must go? We are arming Syrian moderates with the hope (dressed up as a plan) that they will fight ISIS, even though their primary opponent is Assad; presumably, an announcement that the US would tolerate Assads continued presence would not motivate these uncertain allies. But why pass on an opportunity to motivate them by reassuring them of US support for their eventual goal? Let me offer a thought from well outside the box: imagine that Assad offers a enforceable peace deal with Israel on the Golan Heights in exchange for US acknowledgement of his legitimacy and US air support for a Syrian Army led push against ISIS. Hmm... tempting? Or is the US going to be shy about propping up a brutal (but rehabilitated!) strongman who can deliver something like stability? Yeah, yeah, who is also an Iranian puppet - the negatives are many. And whether the strongman in question would favor such a deal is beyond the scope of this fantasy. ERRATA: An extended excerpt from Obamas UN speech: Nowhere is this more necessary than Syria. Together with our partners, America is training and equipping the Syrian opposition to be a counterweight to the terrorists of ISIL and the brutality of the Assad regime. But the only lasting solution to Syria’s civil war is political – an inclusive political transition that responds to the legitimate aspirations of all Syrian citizens, regardless of ethnicity or creed. Cynics may argue that such an outcome can never come to pass. But there is no other way for this madness to end – whether one year from now or ten. Indeed, it’s time for a broader negotiation in which major powers address their differences directly, honestly, and peacefully across the table from one another, rather than through gun-wielding proxies. I can promise you America will remain engaged in the region, and we are prepared to engage in that effort.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 01:39:08 +0000
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