Issues Under Fire: Why Western Partners Refuse to Enter Syria

 

Issues Under Fire: Why Western Partners Refuse to Enter Syria

While President Obama continues to be pummeled by former staffers for not arming the Syrian opposition two years ago, it is critical to understand why it was a bad idea then and why Europe knows its an even worse idea now. The only way Bashar al-Assad could survived as long as he has, is because he's maintained at least 51% support of the Syrian population.

The Syrian government has defended the Syrian majority from a multitude of domestic insurgencies and supportive foreign fighters, many with conflicting motives and agendas. Without a clear majority of Syrians supporting the Syrian government, Bashar al-Assad would have been toppled more than a year ago and Barack Obama would be a hero today. Besides, the so-called "Moderate Syrian Opposition" was always an insignificant force compared to more radical elements lurking about.

Without a full military commitment by the United States, (yeah, U.S. boots on the ground) which the American public would never support, the Syrian Opposition never had a chance. Providing them with weapons would have only delayed the inevitable ass-kicking. The Chinese knew this, the Russians knew this and Barack Obama had to have known this too. Hence, his hesitation to date.

Any leader maintaining a majority of support for his/her nation, has a legitimate right to resist any rebellious acts by violent minorities within the borders of his/her nation. True, there are rules of engagement when combatting malcontents to restore and maintain social order and Bashar al-Assad certainly could have done a better job at that, but the fact remains, its is a violation of international law for outsiders to intervene militarily, without a U.N. mandate.

Because the U.S. failed to acknowledge and respect this fundamental principal, it has found itself concocting crazy schemes to justify is actions in Syria. Make no mistake about it, despite the military subterfuge Bashar al-Assad is and always was the target. He has to be, because nothing else makes sense. Those currently complaining of the United States' seemingly convoluted plan of attack need only be patient.

Western partners and allies are wise not to follow the U.S.'s lead into a hell not of its making, but to focus on the hell they did help create in Iraq. Treating Syria like Kryptonite, neither the French, the Brits, the Aussies nor anybody but the shadiest of Arab states will partake of this exercise in international lawlessness.

Bottom line: One can only speculate as to why the United States has been determined to dislodge Bashar al-Assad from Damascus. However, if one were to guess, the security of Israel wouldn't be too far of the mark. Anything that could lead to severing the Syrian/Iran connection would certainly please Israel to no end. Since Israeli security is much less of a concern to the rest of the world, the rest of the world won't allow itself to sucked into Syria's mad state of affairs. Podcast Below!