Right now, the biggest obstacle to a political agreement appears to be the U.S. insistence that President Assad be barred from elections once Syria achieves some stability. Yet, if President Obama is so certain that the Syrian people hate Assad, it seems crazy to let Assad's presumed defeat at the polls obstruct such a crucial deal.
The only explanation for this U.S. stubbornness is that the neocons and the liberal hawks have made "regime change" in Syria such a key part of their agenda that they would lose face if Assad's departure was not mandated. However, with the future of Western civilization in the balance, such obstinate behavior seems not only feckless but reckless.
From understanding how this mess was made, some U.S. politician could fashion an appeal that might have broad popular support across the political spectrum. If Sanders took up this torch for a rational plan for bringing relative peace to the Middle East, he also might shift the dynamics of the Democratic race.
Of course, to challenge Official Washington's "group think" is always dangerous. If compromise and cooperation suddenly replaced "regime change" as the U.S. goal, the neocons and liberal hawks would flip out. But the stakes are extremely high for the planet's future. Maybe saving Western civilization is worth the risk of facing down a neocon/liberal-hawk temper tantrum.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
2
2
