Fighting in Syria’s civil war is, as ever, stalemated. The most recent fighting on the ground has seen government troops retaking some territory from the rebels, but it’s a slow and arduous journey, suggesting that the war is likely to go on for a long time to come without a real resolution.
The prospect of the war lasting years longer is what initially brought Russia and the US together to agree to work on a transition out of war. Yet even that effort, which is supposed to be capped at June’s Geneva Conference, is not looking promising.
Syria’s rebels have rejected the idea of attending, though the Assad government has agreed to take part. The US looks like it is throwing the idea of a negotiated settlement under the bus as well, with the White House insisting today that its top priority in Syria is to impose a regime change including Assad’s ouster.
Previous reports had suggested the US was warming to the idea of a power-sharing deal to end the civil war, amid fear that the violence is spreading region-wide. With today’s comments it seems the White House is back where it started, demanding a unilateral surrender from the Syrian government, and tacitly accepting an ongoing war rather than putting up with a realistic deal.
Priority is not to oust Assad per se, but to oust him to get what the Administration wants from Syria that Assad didn't and won't give it, or let it seize. Problem with Administration is that it ignores what its CIA has told it, namely that Assad would win in a democratically held election, and would win hands down.
with compliments to Jason and this poster, this appears to be so.
It is clear, if your own intelligence service is telling you this, that Assad will win an election.
This is how populations react in this situation and there is a complete lack of being able to find a credible leader amongst the agents and assets.
The problem appears to be unable to withdraw without losing face, thus simply going on with the Color Revolution goal, now 2 years down the road, of overthrowing the demonised ruler and getting him to flee.
White House is saying that because Hillary Clinton bet on regime change in Syria.., the USA democratic party bet on this…, they said it repeatedly Assad needs to go.., she have said.., so the same was said by the Neo liberal fascist in Europe…, after two years, it didn't happen when she and others said and demanded.., not because of Syrian regime being a Undemocratic system.., or a falsified democracy acting on behalf of tyrant regimes as Saudis and UAE in general.., but because Syrian people.., Syrian nationals.., the majority of Syrian people support their government and president Assad.., at the same time..,losing a war is disastrous for the USA democratic party.., the name of the USA president is on the line so is the name of a (falsified) democracy.., there going to be a democratic held election in Syria in 2014…, then and only then the Syrian nation will decide.., until then USA or any other militarism-falsified democracy can say whatever.
Good to point out that Hillary was the top proponent of regime change when she was SOS. Am I wrong to think that Kerry and SecDef Hagel are more even handed? And the so-called 'progressives' in the US now want her to be the next president? With her 'responsibility to protect' ideas, she will only make matter worse.
I think the western powers have jumped the shark. Their only power to demand anything in this civil war is linked to the ability of the al Qaeda fighters they are supporting. But I think the writing is on the wall. With Hezb in the conflict supporting the Syrian army and backed by Iran and Russia and a Syrian majority, it will not be too long until the rebels are more fragmented and ineffective than they are now. If Obama is smart, he will cut and run.
Rather than cut and run, Americans always prefer to be consistent and end up being cut to pieces.
How can an "ANTIWAR" magazine distribute and promote such an undemocratic and war mongering headline? A headline of a war criminal who let organize fake-up-rises with payed mercenaries in Libya and Syria with hundreds of thousands of death and wounded – not to mention the typical US-Like systematic destruction of civil infrastructure.
Disgusting !
I mean – is it the Syrian people who decide who should be their president or is it one of those politial actors the US corporations launch as president?
Gaddafi did offer UN supervised elections in order to find a democratic solution of this terrible guerrilla war and also Assad did offer elections and already allow other parties and let the Syrian decide what constitution they want.
Sending guerrilla killers to a country that does not want to be controlled by USA may be profitable for some companies, but it is the largest war crime possible. There are about 60,000 killed, may be 120000 wounded, millions of refugees and destructed homes and infrastructure.
USA must pay for this destruction and murder !
And I am sure – soon they will get those killers active in US towns too. They will be excellently trained for hidden underground guerrilla warfare.
They learned from USA how to systematically bomb civil infrastructure – in towns like New York and any US town this will be much more effective than in Syria.
Even preparing for this treat will cost millions.
If the WH continues to push for 'regime change' then Obama must piss or get off the pot. He's effectively bluffed his butt into a corner for the last 8months and Syria shows they are "all in"
People say this is a stalemate. And that's pure rubbish. Obama's in a stalemate all winter and spring, Syria still stands and Assad continues to make major inroads. Stalemate is a silly euphemism. The reality IS unless there is either a) compromise or b) continual payments to rebels, or c) NATO invasion, the rebels have lost. Yes, they can putz around as long as KSA and US put $ in the hands…but they have lost the moral arguments internally and outside of a handful of seemingly madly driven Western and Gulf politicians, have lost moral ground externally.
The 'rebels' hold no council beyond basic street level politics where they punch each other and the air! tit-for-tat killings of revenge and squander their tactical advantages even kidnapping one another. They have nothing but bluster and mayhem to offer and have lost all creditability internally and can't expect the Syrian population to support them. In fact, they hold many folks pinned inside villages and cities as ransom/hostage. And now a US senator is openly mocked for his propaganda tour
Obama's already invested the US into this fiasco. His intel should be solid. He just wanted to have his cake and eat it too.
Well, tough titty said the kitty. The fat lady has sung. Erdogan's days are numbered, the political ground swell in Turkey is going to buck the Ottomaniac right off. Jordanian "King" doesn't have the stomach for war. Obama declaration for "ousting" Assad is asinine.
Obama is no JFK and Assad will kill to live. Obama is a politician playing with chips and is not personally invested. He skirts the sides avoiding a direct rebuke for the sword he wields by proxy. He has lost. He just doesn't admit it openly. And he has lost badly. He is stalemated to a point he now must bluster declaring war …but of course through euphemisms, by proxy.
admit failure, fool. no more (covert) war in Syria.
Amazing that the very country responsible for instigating and fueling the conflict, that is the USA, is now wanting to seek a settlement (read: a victory for itself through its proxy killers whether through ouster or destruction) and then they cry foul when Russia seeks to even out the clearly lopsided and hypocritical American behavior. You just can't make this stuff up.
Pretty typical, I can hear it now. "We gave them every opportunity, blah blah blah"
War against Syria, Hezbollah and Iran for israel's benefit. This insanity is really over the top!
We must remember that WE are the good guys and they hate us for our freedoms, when finding our freedoms is like looking for nuclear weapons in Iraq.
All that freedom- democracy spin can be taken care of when the big boys in DC get what they really want… global hegemony.
So, anyone who does not agree just empty your pockets, put up your hands and face the wall.