Play By Their Rules [Russia in Syria]

US News and World Report ^ | Sept 11, 2015 | Ambassador Dennis Ross

[huldah1776]

Russia and Iran have changed the stakes in Syria, and the U.S. should act accordingly.

Refugees streaming into Europe, and the limp body of 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi, have brought the horrific conflict in Syria into greater focus again. With over 250,000 dead and more than half of Syria's population displaced, it should not be surprising that the conflict finally found a new way to force itself into the collective consciousness of the world.

The only surprising thing is that it took so long to create a crisis in Europe. To be sure, those countries were feeling the effects of the Syrian conflict before now, but not in terms of refugees from the war trying to make their way to the continent. No, the concern was about younger European Muslims being attracted to the call of the Islamic State group, primarily in Syria, getting trained in the art of terror and returning home to act on their deadly beliefs. Though it has been clear for some time that Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq could not absorb any more refugees, Europe, the United States and the rest of the international community have paid little heed.

[huldah1776]

The html title is "get serious about Syria and its refugees and play by Russia's and Iran's rules." The author doesn't take into account that our executive branch is on their side.

[Mariner]

This singular focus by the do-gooders on toppling Assad is perplexing to me.

Topple Assad and the entire Mid East becomes a playground for ISIS and cohorts.

Once the obsession with toppling Assad is taken from the mix, the solution is EASY.

Joint, international action to find and kill every member of ISIS and associated Jihadi groups.

[huldah1776]

Supposedly most of the people living in Assad’s area are Christians.

[Trumpinator]

This singular focus by the do-gooders on toppling Assad is perplexing to me.

Once the obsession with toppling Assad is taken from the mix, the solution is EASY.

It seems everyone from Israel to the Gulf States and Turkey wants the Iranian backed Assad regime gone and they don't care what happens to the Christians or the Syrian civilians or whatever.

The USA is just either following the lead of the Gulf Arabs or also shares the same goals in Syria against Assad. It is clear, that comparing Assad to ISIS makes Assad look like a a benevolent leader. But once the State Dept started demonizing Assad they can't walk it back either - they thought he would fall quickly and are not caught in their own rhetorical trap.