Issue Under Fire: U.S. Special Forces Adds Complexity to Syrian State of Confusion

Issue Under Fire: U.S. Special Forces Adds Complexity to Syrian State of Confusion 

Friday the White House announced plans to ramp up U.S. special forces operations in Syria to train, advise and assist with missions against ISIS and presumably others. While the number of special forces being deployed seems insignificant at first glance (about fifty commandos), strategically, this might be a clever move to thwart Russian efforts to target Syrian rebels the U.S. wants protected.  

Having U.S. special forces embedded with "vetted" Syrian rebels on missions will complicate the Russian and Iranian's simple approach to stabilizing the Syrian conflict. By indiscriminately targeting and attacking any entity fighting the Syrian army, Russia and Iran could keep their mission straightforward and tightly focused. Having to consider the row that'll be triggered when a Russian air strike kills a U.S. advisor, might give them reason for pause. 

Without some serious cooperation and coordination, U.S. special operations could further complicate the current state of total confusion. In response to the White House's announcement of its decision to place U.S. boots directly into the mix, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov immediately responded saying the U.S. had made this move unilaterally and without any reference to the Syrian leadership. No matter what the rational for breaching Syrian sovereignty, the United States is an uninvited guest. So far, US. allies remain relatively mute on this latest development. 

He also said: " I am convinced neither the United States nor Russia want any kind of slide into a so-called proxy war. But to me its obvious that this situation makes the task of co-operation between the militaries even more relevant". If this is a warning, its one worth noting and not to be taken lightly. On the other hand, some think the proxy war started the minute Russia began its bombing campaign. 

With Moscow and Tehran's position of backing Bashar al-Assad to the hilt being diametrically opposed to the United States position of wanting the besieged leader deposed sooner than later, its inevitable Russian/Iranian forces will come face to face with U.S. backed fighters. Fighting is such close proximity a collision between military could happen at any time. And knowing how predictably unpredictable Vladimir Putin operates, no one can be sure what that collision will lead to. 

Bottom line: Its one thing to ignore the international laws being violated to proceed with this latest strategy, but the United State must contain its ambitions to targeting ISIS and the plethora of organized militants groups operating in Syria. If the Obama administration can keep mission-creep to a minimum there's a small chance Russia, Iran and the United States can avoid a costly and regrettable mishap. But the minute the United States appears to be in Syria to engage the Syrian army, that is when all hell breaks loose. Podcast below!

BTW, in other news: Edward Snowden got a reprieve from the European Union, as their parliament voted to offer one of America's most wanted asylum and freedom from extradition while on that continent. Talk about a change of fortune. Who knows, one day Mr. Snowden could be openly chilling in Paris with friends, relatives and supporters.