The problem with the American position on Syria and the better alternative – yes it still exists
The NYT, finally, points out a major problem with the US strategy here: they are playing a very very dangerous game by insisting on a hardline in negotiations with the Russians for a solution. The US needs to have the political courage – based on moral and strategic convictions of what seems likely now in terms of violence if matters are pushed forward – to walk back some of its long held positions, especially the one that Assad must go.
Assad WILL go – it is pointless to FORCE this issue…. better to keep him in, severely weakened, decelerate the violence immediately…. and go to a political solution whereby the regimes ability and desire to exercise massive violence can be obliquely drained.
NYT:
“..But that seeming understanding quickly broke down with Americans officials complaining privately that the Russian side had pulled back from the deal. A major sticking point, it later emerged, was the American insistence that the United Nations Security Council authorize steps to pressure Mr. Assad if he refused to go along under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which could be used to authorize tougher economic sanctions and, in theory, the use of force…”
