POLITICS_ Op-Ed: US continues to mull over what to do in Syria

DIGITAL JOURNAL

Op-Ed: US continues to mull over what to do in Syria

By Paul Iddon 19 mins ago in Politics


Regarding an operation against Islamic State (IS) in Syria the United States still has to decide if it will also target the Syrian regime in the process.

It's of fundamental importance to note that the United States to date has been unwavering in its commitment not to recognize the Assad regime as the legitimate sovereign of the Syrian state. Former deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency Mike Morell rightfully points out that, "in addition to airstrikes [against IS in Syria], we need a military on the ground in Syria to take these guys on. The only military around is Assad's military, and as you know, we're fighting Assad as well."

Mr. Morell also said that he believes the best course of action the Obama administration can take regarding the IS threat would be to call upon both Iraq and Russia to convince Assad to step down and establish a new order in Syria and then cooperate with Syria. Morell added that, "If that doesn't work, I think we need to rethink our strategy vis-á-vis Assad, yes."

The US and its allies have reiterated their strong aversion to inserting ground forces in neither Iraq or Syria. In the former air power is being used in order to support local ground forces to fight IS. In Syria it will be more complicated. The Syrians say they welcome any strikes against IS forces who have taken over large swaths of the east and north of the country. But provided it is done with the consent of Damascus. The US refuses to do so which raises the possibility that its forces may at some point engage the Syrian military if the latter endangers any US aircraft operating in Syrian air space.

Congress is presently discussing how the problem of IS forces in Syria after the recent be-headings of two American journalists should be dealt with. One main topic for serious discussion is whether or not the US is also prepared to take on Assad as there are concerns that combating Islamists in Syria while he continues to expand his operations to the west, north and south – and crush opponents to his regime in those areas – would empower him further. Something which the US certainly doesn't seek to nor wish to do.

Given the fact that the US isn't prepared for, nor presently possesses the stomach in the post-Iraq War era for, an extended and protracted ground war occupation or regime change in Syria it is doubtful that a very extensive campaign against Assad is on the table. But we could see operations aimed at degrading his capability to project force against his enemies. Which may entail targeting the Syrian Air Force or establishing no-fly zones over areas where the remnants of the moderate forces are still fighting both the Syrian military commanded by Mr. Assad and Mr. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's Islamic State group.

Merely summarizing the situation as it exists today on the ground in Syria makes clear that there is no simple solution to this mess. Which makes a smart one even harder to devise.

This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/politics/op-ed-us-continues-to-mull-over-what-to-do-in-syria/article/401722#ixzz3CaHC7yn8

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