I fully endorse the views of Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed as expressed in his article “Syrian moderates can save the day” (June 26). His assessment of the situation in Syria and Iraq is accurate and based on logic. I am surprised at the US and other western nations over their indecision and inaction. Had the international community acted promptly in supporting the Syrian moderate elements, the self-ascribed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) would have not emerged as a potent force and the Assad regime would have become history.

Now Iraq is facing a similar situation. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki has refused to give way to the formation of a national unity government, which is the only way out of the current crisis. If the US extends its support to Al-Maliki, it may be construed, as a move against the Sunni population and that will further deteriorate the situation in Iraq. The US should postpone any plans to attack ISIL and its allies till the formation of a national unity government. Otherwise, the US global standing in general and particularly in the Middle East will nosedive. Al-Maliki is the problem in Iraq and like Assad; he can never be part of any solution. He can never mend his ways because it is an open secret that Al-Maliki is Tehran’s puppet and follows diktats from Iranian leadership. There is one question in my mind that despite Iran’s divisive policies and sectarian agenda in the region, why nobody is taking any action to rein in Tehran. Iran is creating a mess in the region and the West appears to be oblivious of this fact. Arab Muslim countries are continuously trying to highlight Tehran’s ugly role but all hue and cry appears to be falling on deaf ears. If the situation is not controlled, all hell will break loose and the situation will not only affect the region but also engulf the entire world. The international community should equip the moderate elements in Syria with modern weapons to counter Assad’s forces and the ISIL.