Though publicly administration officials continue to deny any formal review of the ISIS war strategy or any change in policy, privately there are growing numbers conceding that a series high-level meetings are in progress looking to totally revamp the Syria war policy.
In particular, officials say, there is a recognition that the previous Iraq-first strategy is untenable, and much of the push also seems to be toward ousting the Assad government alongside the war against ISIS, against al-Qaeda, and against other, miscellaneous factions therein.
Previously, the administration was of a mind to defer attacks on the Assad government until the creation of a new “moderate” rebel faction, late in 2015 or after, that might serve as a potential replacement.
Gulf Arab nations involved in the US war are keen to see Assad ousted, and that’s at least part of the force driving them toward a faster regime change, with officials saying they want such a move within the next 6-12 months.
That means having the regime change imposed long before any alternative faction has been manufactured to take over. Officials like Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R – GA) have conceded as much, saying the US will simply hope that someone preferable steps forward to take office.
Secretary of State John Kerry is said to have even broached the subject of ousting Assad with the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which despite official protestations of not being an ally are the most active in the anti-ISIS fight so far. They will doubtless object to seeing regime change imposed, particularly with no vision on what comes after in Syria, a long-time ally.
In the meantime, the US crossing their fingers and hoping for better times ahead in the war is not so much a change in strategy as a continuation of the reckless escalation that’s been going on for months, with no eye toward how it is ever going to end with a result favorable to the administration. Instead, they just keep throwing random new enemies into the mix to see if it all adds up to a coherent strategy. So far, it does not.
There are no "moderate" rebels in Syria; and, Bashar al-Assad's government is the only barrier to a complete takeover of Syria by extremists such as ISIS and al-Nusra terrorists. It has been the Assad Dynasty that has protected the ancient Christian communities that have existed in Syria since the 2nd Century AD.
Oust the Assad regime; and extremists such as ISIS will definitely take over and destroy both Alawite Shia and Christian communities that have existed since the 7th and 2nd Centuries AD, respectively.
If you really want to destroy ISIS all it would take is several phone calls, one to Syria, one to Iran and one to Lebanon, tell them we're outa here, do what you need to do.
Eileen – What you're saying is so obvious and logical that it is hard to believe that anyone who seriously follows this issue could come to any other conclusion. It means that TPTB have a different and secret agenda – which is not in the best interest of the Syrian (or the American) people. The USG plans on bombing both the legitimate Syrian government (the principal enemy of IS) at the same time that it continues bombing IS. Then putting the "moderate" Islamists in power (whoever they might be) – even though the majority of Syrians have recently voted to keep Assad in power. Why is the USG so intent on doing the dirty work for the Saudi's and Israeli's? The immorality here is mind boggling.
The result you mention is probably right.
Where could one confirm the fact of an 'Assad Dynasty' extent for a millennium or so? My impression was that surnames were a pretty recent thing in the region?
The idea behind all that manipulative, deceptive and fraudulent foreign politics is for USG/NATO to let people of Middle East to kill each other as much as they can. When the time comes the USG and NATO will invade Iraq, Syria, Iran and Lebanon is for Israel to invade. Unti then Isis job is to destroy as much as they can and divide nations in Middle East as much as they can. Barack Hussein Obama, so as the English and that Swedish king knowes and for that matter NATO general secretary knowes why and when and why they continue with their warmongering attitudes toward nations in Middle East. Is a
idealogical, economical and geopolitical interests/warfare that USG and EU have adopted in last 25 years, the only thing that's changed is that Saudis/UAE are on board with their barbarians doing what they are ordered to do.
Mojo,
The Arabs know exactly what we are trying to do, i.e. get them to kill each other for ours and Israel's convenience. I guess our World-savvy Congressmen like Louie Gohmert believe that this "slick trick" will work.
Assad has thousands of battle hardened troops, a sophisticated air force and air defenses. With baking from Russia. This could get real bad.
Well! Maybe thety are "thinking" that the use of ever more ressources and money on foreign wars, as well as collecting more and information on the population at home, and militarising the police, will help to restart the failing american economy. Surely the spread of ever more political madness makes it easier for people to act rationally on their own? Just like investing gets better with the obvious manipulation of markets – making people MORE rational and sane?
The vision for Syria is the same as Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan……chaos and destruction.
Mr. Assad has read (Terms of Agreement) outlined by the USG/Zionist scum's
Project for a New American Century. The PNAC has targeted several political
states, including Syria, for its so-called (Regime Change) as far back as 1997.
After having read the muddle-headed agenda espoused in the PNAC, my (opinion)
is, this garbage is a cross between Mein Kampf and USG Manifest Destiny.
“the US crossing their fingers and hoping for better times ahead… with no eye toward how it is ever going to end”
Not so, for the corporate rich hire all our politicians, they call all the shots and “stability” is to maximize explosions and confusion as it maximizes the profit in trading war materials for Middle-East oil.
“the push also seems to be toward ousting the Assad government”
Not so, for Assad is a puppet dictator that our corporate rich dearly love.
"Shift Focus"? The so-called "ISIS threat" was always a cats-paw. The original Obama-Kerry war plan in Syria got smacked back at the authors in humiliating fashion, but they stuck by their guns (literally). The supposed "ISIS War" was always for the sole purpose of getting authorization for the invasion of Syria, and the overthrow of the Assad regime. We will be funding and arming the greatest ethnic cleansing since WW2. And it will be done in our names, using our tax dollars. with honeyed words about liberty and democracy dripping from Presidential lips. And lots of good torture!
As soon as ISIS took Mosul I predicted this would happen.
…seems they were just acclimating people to extensive action in the general area. And maybe getting some distance from the fighting-for-AQ in Syria idea….E.g., now that "ISIS" is the new AQ, The Unsanitary GWoT-Sucker won't mind fighting for AQ?
Active Duty last year protested that they didn't join to fight for AQ… What could possibly have changed?
don't think so. obama will not engage asad in such a halfcocked fashion. this is just some ploy to keep his talk the talk but don't walk the walk arab allies placated and maybe bring turkey into the fold. this type of illprepared action will be taken by the next government that comes in either that of "whatever it takes to win" hilary or some crazy/greedy republican. even if there are some action against asad it would be token and not at all debilitating.
The boy king's actions were immoral, illegal and unconstitutional but at least his policies didn't shift at the slighest breeze.