Posted on 09/20/2015 6:09:38 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
John Kerry softened Americas demand yesterday that Syrias dictator must step down, declaring that the timing of Bashar al-Assads departure was open to negotiation.
The US secretary of state retreated from the earlier US position that Assads removal must be the first step towards resolving Syrias civil war.
He spoke as the regime carried out a series of air strikes near the ancient city of Palmyra, which has fallen into the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil). The Syrian air force flew as many as 25 sorties, killing perhaps 26 people on the ground, including Isil fighters.
Assad has been emboldened by Russias decision to provide direct military support. In recent weeks, Russian tanks and troops have been deployed in Syria, along with a small number of advanced jet fighters.
Russias goal appears to be to prevent Assad from suffering more battlefield defeats while also complicating any escalation of Americas air campaign against Isil targets in Syria.
Britain is considering whether to join the air strikes in Syria and Mr Kerry visited London to discuss the situation with Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary.
Mr Kerry made clear that America could accept a Syrian peace settlement that left Assad in power for an interim period. "We're not being doctrinaire about the specific date or time [for Assads departure] - we're open," said Mr Kerry.
It doesn't have to be on day one or month one. There is a process by which all the parties have to come together and reach an understanding of how this can best be achieved.
Mr Kerry noted that Isil and other extremists emerged from Assads campaign against Syrias largely Sunni population. By intervening directly in Syria, Russia may allow an escalation of this offensive and end up boosting Isil.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
My word, these administration fools are beyond idiots...
Now that Putin has his military footprint firmly in Syria, HE will decide who replaces Assad when he departs...
At some point, a new Russian puppet state.
Only now, the administration is backpedaling on Assad after five years...
He's the why Putin will take over Syria...he has a stranglehold over Europe providing NG....
No gas for you...
John Kerry served in Vietnam.
Keyword: softens. How many times have heard this used in the last 7 years with regard to foreign policy?
You mean to tell me, that good ol’ John Kerry, who served in Vietnam donchakno, has exposed a more, um, flaccid response to getting Assad out of office, now that ‘He-Man Vlad’ has shown up to, um, stiffen his support of Assad?
It isn’t America. It is Kerry, since he has NO BALLS! The dolt can’t even ride a bike.
I’m going to throw this out here and it’s totally off the wall and crazy (tinfoil alert) but what if demanding Assad had to go was a gambit to get Russia’s involvement in the fight against ISIS?
1) It’s consistent with Obama’s global strategy of leading from behind. It gives Obama an opportunity to step back from Syria. The argument being it’s a Russian problem now. And Obama has no problem conceding ground to others as it concerns perceptions of American prestige.
2) I don’t think Obama and Co. give a damn about Assad one way or the other.
3) You always represent you want more than your true negotiation goals (what you’re willing to accept).
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