This refers to the column “War in Syria: US political impotence in the Middle East.” I think it is not impotence as such but admission of crude realism and pragmatism. The biggest dilemma for those who oppose the brutal Assad regime is choosing between the “devil you know and the devil you don’t.” Many fear that the Syrian Free Army has been hijacked by extremists and fundamentalists who probably indulge in more violence and massacres than we are seeing under Assad’s regime. The US is neither impotent nor foolish to be goaded into a war which has no military solution. In fact, it can wipe out Assad’s regime in a few minutes if they wish, but then what will happen next? It is important that Assad’s exit be well thought out.
The post-Assad scenario may be that the political vacuum will be filled by the Jihadists who in the long run will pose a greater threat to the neighboring countries than Assad has done. Contrary to what skeptics may say, Russia will not abandon Syria. This is because Russia has the same strategic interests as the West and do not want to run out of allies in such an important strategic region as the Middle East, where like eagles, the vultures too want their share of the booty. — Seif Al-Somalya, Jeddah
War in Syria
