Issues under Fire: Flood of Immigrants Force West to Reconsider Syrian Strategy

Issues under Fire: Flood of Immigrants Force West to Reconsider Syrian Strategy  

With the massive numbers of hungry, war weary and broken down "strangers" looking for handouts, jobs, and a place to stay for a few years crowding railroad stations, European borders and the coast lines of Greece and Italy, Europe has been forced to seek an immediate shift in strategy to confront Bahsar al-Assad and the ISIS issue. Since trying to dislodge Assad and defeat ISIS with its many tentacles spreading out across Syria, Iraq and now Afghanistan was the cause of the massive migration, Western powers have relented on demanding Assad step down, to focus all efforts on ISIS. 

Having the full support of Russia and Iran, Syria's Bahsar-al Assad could maintain the status quo indefinitely. Considering the droves of refugees fleeing the region and all headed for nations that many of them may feel is responsible their predicament, the status quo is unacceptable to say the least. Something has to give, so everything has been placed on the table, including the idea that Bahsar al- Assad will remain Syria's leader after the dust has settled. The Obama administration would have never publicly considered such a thing, but things have changed considerably. 

By all accounts, ISIS is stronger and growing, the Syrian opposition is weaker and dying and Iran has sealed a nuclear deal with the West, that's been blessed by none other than Pope Frances himself. Six months ago, the United States would have never entertained allowing the Iranians to be apart of the Syrian solution. Six months ago, the United States was convincing the world Iran was the cause of the Syrian problem. Six months ago, the likelihood of the Israelis being forced to coordinate with the Russians in Syria would have been unheard of. But again, things have changed. 

Unfortunately, the fallout from decades of Western meddling to manipulate regional outcomes is quickly reach critical mass. With millions of displaced refugees languishing in makeshift camps and hundreds of thousands more on the move, Europe and the United States has notably toned down its rhetoric against Bahsar al-Assad, while trying to unite anyone and everyone to fight against ISIS. It seems like overnight, all the rules of the game has changed and all the players are trying to get on the same page. 

Bottom line: One day the world will understand why it took 250k lives and counting to finally realize Syria's situation never had a military solution. One day the world will understand who stood to gain the most by continuing to invest in failed policies and positions. One day the world will understand why the West  tried everything else before trying to do the right thing. But until then, the world will have to settle for working together to rid itself of ISIS. Podcast below!