US Vice-President Joe Biden has said that Washington and Turkey are prepared for a military solution against the Islamic State in Syria if peace talks – set to begin on Monday in Geneva between the government and the opposition groups - fail. His statement about Washington’s willingness for a more active role in Syria assumes significance in view of reports that the talks are heading into a tough terrain, and can collapse once they start. A dispute is still raging over who will comprise the opposition delegation at the talks, which threatens to delay the start of the talks.
Barack Obama has faced flak over his inaction and indecisiveness over Syria, with the president going back on his previous promises. For example, Obama said that the use of chemical weapons by Bashar Al Assad would be a redline, but even when it was proved that Assad crossed that redline by using the deadly weapon against his own people, Obama baulked at taking punitive action. That inaction has been costly and disastrous. Assad remains in power and continues to mercilessly kill and maim his own people triggering a refugee crisis that has thrown the European Union into paroxysms of fear. Where Obama hesitated, Russian President Vladimir Putin found an opportunity, resulting in the dispatch of his troops to Syria which has significantly bolstered Assad’s position. All these factors have turned the Syrian crisis into a complicated cesspool. Assad is unwilling to relinquish to power, the IS continues to wreak havoc and the opposition is in disarray. Washington is now grappling with a Syria that has spun out of control and a military action will not be easy, if at all Obama can bring himself round to that bold move. A stitch in time would have saved nine.
There is huge uncertainty about the future of the peace talks. For example, armed rebel groups said yesterday that they would hold Assad and Russia responsible for any failure of the talks even before negotiations were due to start. There are no signs of thaw in the stubbornness of parties involved. The Syrian opposition has ruled out even indirect talks unless Damascus took steps including a halt to Russian air strikes. And Russia is no mood to leave Syria.
It’s time for Washington to get serious about Syria. No peace is possible without throwing out Assad, and this needs a coordinated and coherent strategy. The US, Europe and the Arab countries need to form a strong coalition to end the Syrian civil war and pave the way for the installation of an opposition government. Washington must lead in this mission. Whether Obama will take up such a huge responsibility at the end of his term is the question that everybody would ask.
US Vice-President Joe Biden has said that Washington and Turkey are prepared for a military solution against the Islamic State in Syria if peace talks – set to begin on Monday in Geneva between the government and the opposition groups - fail. His statement about Washington’s willingness for a more active role in Syria assumes significance in view of reports that the talks are heading into a tough terrain, and can collapse once they start. A dispute is still raging over who will comprise the opposition delegation at the talks, which threatens to delay the start of the talks.
Barack Obama has faced flak over his inaction and indecisiveness over Syria, with the president going back on his previous promises. For example, Obama said that the use of chemical weapons by Bashar Al Assad would be a redline, but even when it was proved that Assad crossed that redline by using the deadly weapon against his own people, Obama baulked at taking punitive action. That inaction has been costly and disastrous. Assad remains in power and continues to mercilessly kill and maim his own people triggering a refugee crisis that has thrown the European Union into paroxysms of fear. Where Obama hesitated, Russian President Vladimir Putin found an opportunity, resulting in the dispatch of his troops to Syria which has significantly bolstered Assad’s position. All these factors have turned the Syrian crisis into a complicated cesspool. Assad is unwilling to relinquish to power, the IS continues to wreak havoc and the opposition is in disarray. Washington is now grappling with a Syria that has spun out of control and a military action will not be easy, if at all Obama can bring himself round to that bold move. A stitch in time would have saved nine.
There is huge uncertainty about the future of the peace talks. For example, armed rebel groups said yesterday that they would hold Assad and Russia responsible for any failure of the talks even before negotiations were due to start. There are no signs of thaw in the stubbornness of parties involved. The Syrian opposition has ruled out even indirect talks unless Damascus took steps including a halt to Russian air strikes. And Russia is no mood to leave Syria.
It’s time for Washington to get serious about Syria. No peace is possible without throwing out Assad, and this needs a coordinated and coherent strategy. The US, Europe and the Arab countries need to form a strong coalition to end the Syrian civil war and pave the way for the installation of an opposition government. Washington must lead in this mission. Whether Obama will take up such a huge responsibility at the end of his term is the question that everybody would ask.
