It is interesting on how an “off the cuff” remark about red lines placed the USA on a path towards military intervention, and how another “off the cuff” response to a question opened a door to a diplomatic solution. Russia’s intervention has caused Assad to admit he even has these weapons and it is doubtful Mr. Putin would appreciate being made to look foolish should Assad rethink his options. Russia now has some ownership in what is to happen and up until now, this has not been the case.The usual voices of the conservatives are reluctant to speak well of this diplomatic option, and some are lambasting the POTUS for his ‘failure’ and making America look horrible. The usual voice of the Democrats are congratulating the Pres. for a brilliantly played strategy as if it were always his plan.Both are wrong.Mr. Obama’s success in this instance is in not having to fired a missile into Syria. That is the Arab League’s job, not ours.Mr. Kerry’s rather patronizing response to a reporter inspired Russian diplomats looking for a way to stop hostilities and quit looking like the Assad enabler they are to support the suggestion.Mr. Assad’s desire to not see 1000 US cruise missiles and aircraft over his nation, and perhaps his head, inspired him to accept his principle ally’s suggestion.As has often been the case in diplomacy, accidental solutions can be as useful as the ones chosen on purpose.However – This will not help the 5 million Syrians who have left their nation, or the nations to which they have gone. It will not stop bullets or other ‘conventional’ ordinance from killing combatants and innocents alike.But this is an Islamic civil war, and anything a western(Read Christian) nation does will not be appreciated even by those who ultimately win. The humanitarian aid is good as is any intell we can give to combatants who don’t hate us, but it is time for the Arab League to use the many weapon platforms they have bought from the USA and resolve this ‘family’ fight. We can help, but we cannot lead. There’s no future in it. Only time will tell what happens next, but there’s a lot of people finding out the truth about life after death, and some of them are very sadly surprised, or, they’re just dead and don’t care.Respectfully,C.
It is interesting on how an “off the cuff” remark about red lines placed the USA on a path towards military intervention, and how another “off the cuff” response to a question opened a door to a diplomatic solution. Russia’s intervention has caused Assad to admit he even has these weapons and it is doubtful Mr. Putin would appreciate being made to look foolish should Assad rethink his options. Russia now has some ownership in what is to happen and up until now, this has not been the case.The usual voices of the conservatives are reluctant to speak well of this diplomatic option, and some are lambasting the POTUS for his ‘failure’ and making America look horrible. The usual voice of the Democrats are congratulating the Pres. for a brilliantly played strategy as if it were always his plan.Both are wrong.Mr. Obama’s success in this instance is in not having to fired a missile into Syria. That is the Arab League’s job, not ours.Mr. Kerry’s rather patronizing response to a reporter inspired Russian diplomats looking for a way to stop hostilities and quit looking like the Assad enabler they are to support the suggestion.Mr. Assad’s desire to not see 1000 US cruise missiles and aircraft over his nation, and perhaps his head, inspired him to accept his principle ally’s suggestion.As has often been the case in diplomacy, accidental solutions can be as useful as the ones chosen on purpose.However – This will not help the 5 million Syrians who have left their nation, or the nations to which they have gone. It will not stop bullets or other ‘conventional’ ordinance from killing combatants and innocents alike.But this is an Islamic civil war, and anything a western(Read Christian) nation does will not be appreciated even by those who ultimately win. The humanitarian aid is good as is any intell we can give to combatants who don’t hate us, but it is time for the Arab League to use the many weapon platforms they have bought from the USA and resolve this ‘family’ fight. We can help, but we cannot lead. There’s no future in it. Only time will tell what happens next, but there’s a lot of people finding out the truth about life after death, and some of them are very sadly surprised, or, they’re just dead and don’t care.Respectfully,C.