Issues Under Fire: Without Syrian Opposition Attending Vienna Talks, John Kerry May be on a Fools Errand

Issues Under Fire: Without Syrian Opposition Attending Vienna Talks, John Kerry May be on a Fools Errand 

Inquiring minds are wondering if U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is embarking upon a fools errand in Vienna as he's charged with negotiating a political solution to Syria's civil war. With as many as twenty interested parties meeting this weekend to draft a plan that would lead to a ceasefire in the four year old bloody conflict, the U.S.' primary protagonist in this dramatic horror story is not only a no show, but the so-called Syrian opposition actually remains an unacceptable mystery.  

While the Syrian opposition did elect a guy named Klaled Khoja in January of 2015, he was the fifth opposition president elected since 2012. In 2012 it was Ahmad Mouath Al-Khatib Al-Hassani, but things got complicated and he was replaced in 2013 by George Sabra. But again, things got complicated and he was replaced with Amad Jarbar four months later. But again, things got complicated and he was replaced by Hadi al- Basar in 2014. But again, things got complicated, so he didn't last long either.  

How these high level and highly contested talks are going to proceed and produce actionable results without Bashar al-Assad's government opposition clearly identified and at the table is also an unacceptable mystery. Thus far, the world has yet to be formally introduced to Syria's legitimate rebel leader. What is his name? What does he look like? What is his background and history? Has he ever been invited to the White House? If he has, when? And if he hasn't, why not? 

If such a person exist, can he prove he represents a broad multi ethnic, multi cultural and religiously tolerant majority? Can this person prove he has the support of Syria's ever expanding diaspora? Can this person command the respect and cooperation of the many opposing factions fighting each other in Syria and beyond? Does this person have the authority to cut a deal that'll be honored longer that a week?  

Also, inquiring minds would like to know how much blood this person has on his hands, if any. Will he be able to pass an international war crimes test? Lets face it, many of those who chose to stay and fight, may have  found themselves engaging is some of the ugliest killing sprees known to mankind. Considering the United States is demanding Bashar al-Assad vacate his presidency without delay, the international community should have no doubt as to who or what will replace him. 

Echoing the concerns of many in the international community, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Moscow's has major issues with the U.S.' complicating approach to the Syrian conflict. By publicly questioning the Obama administration's true motives for meddling, Russia feels its never been clear what the U.S. has been trying to accomplish in Syria or why so many of U.S. air strikes have produced so few results. 

Bottom line: As long as leadership remains a fluid concept among those opposing Bashar al-Assad's government, the United States really don't have a reliable dog in this fight. Without a face, a personality and a verifiable story to sell the American people, the Obama administration's Syrian strategy will only remain murky and very complicating. Without serious a sob story or a hell of hero to parade around, its next to impossible to get people to pay attention to a cause, let alone care enough to support military intervention. Podcast below!