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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |
| A third option in Syria | |
| 2012-10-11 | |
| The conflict in Syria was "extremely bad and getting worse." That's what Lakhdar Brahimi, special envoy to Syria for the United Nations and the Arab League and one of the world's most skillful diplomats, told the Security Council in late September. The major powers listened but offered no new ideas on how to end the crisis. We need to change direction. With the two sides balanced and resisting serious negotiations, the conflict won't be over soon. Indeed, Syria might very well be entering the second year of a decade-long civil war.
This is the time for a new goal and strategy, and Brahimi is the man because it was he who defined the terms that provided Lebanon an exit from its long civil war. The goal should not be to overthrow Assad, however desirable that might be to many. The goal should be to construct a path to a political system that provides voice and vote for all Syrians, and institutional checks and balances to protect all minorities and sects. Robert A. Pastor is a professor of international relations at American University in Washington and the author of "The North American Idea." He is a senior advisor to the Carter Center on conflict resolution in the Middle East. | |
| Posted by:Pappy |
| #12 This is another great example of the foreign policy expertise and international leadership of Nobel Peace Prize winner Barak Obama. |
| Posted by: Black Bart Hapsburg9135 2012-10-11 17:40 |
| #11 I call for the partition of Syria. |
| Posted by: Slow Joe 2012-10-11 16:26 |
| #10 Anyone besides me take note of the recent decline within the media and gov't of the formerly popoular term....."nation building"? |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2012-10-11 12:13 |
| #9 Negotiate all you want. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, stay the hell outta there. We have no dog in this fight. We are indeed weary of Middle Eastern wars especially when there is so much to lose and nothing to be gained. When the brave jihadis finally realize that Uncle Sam's Calvary is not coming to bail their asses out they might think twice about starting another war. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2012-10-11 12:09 |
| #8 Hey... a friend has hundreds of acres of high grade pop-corn if anybody needs a supply after intermission in this show. |
| Posted by: Water Modem 2012-10-11 12:07 |
| #7 It's all about keeping bad guys busy. FSA bogs down Syrian Army and then attacks Hezbollah in Lebanon so far so good. Then Iran backs the PKK so it puts Turkey at odds with Tehran fostering new cooperation with Israel. Meanwhile Jihadi's from everywhere flock to Syria's slaughterhouse with no ROE ie Rogelio Mangnulet. In the end bad guys are killing bad guys. Popcorn Grom? |
| Posted by: Rightwing 2012-10-11 10:41 |
| #6 a political system that provides voice and vote for all Syrians You mean like Libya? Egypt? Iran? ..... Ditto to Besoeker. This is one of those times which we seem to get screwed up often these days. They have to keep fighting until one side WINS and can impose its will on the other. Then, maybe, you can talk about the governmental system. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2012-10-11 08:30 |
| #5 At some point you put a price on Assad's head and even if nobody turns on him you will probably deny him any decent sleep. Especially with hints of someone inside from time to time. Not obvious hints, but convince him to purge and shake up his staff and ensure he doesn't have the very best working to protect him for long. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2012-10-11 07:52 |
| #4 a political system that provides voice and vote for all Syrians Pencilneck couldn't survive in a true democracy, so this solution ain't gonna happen. Besides, if the Carter Center is involved, the effort is doomed from the start. |
| Posted by: Spot 2012-10-11 07:46 |
| #3 With the two sides balanced and resisting serious negotiations, the conflict won't be over soon. Indeed, Syria might very well be entering the second year of a decade-long civil war. And we win by staying the fok out of it! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2012-10-11 05:39 |
| #2 No group was numerical superior in Lebanon. That's not the case in Syria. The Assad regime is losing control of the countryside and importantly the roads. Winning the cities and then being surrounded aint a winning strategy. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2012-10-11 01:41 |
| #1 It's too late for that. The butcher Assad must pay for his crimes against humanity. It's simply not possible for him to remain in power. You cannot pet rabid dogs. |
| Posted by: Mikey Hunt 2012-10-11 00:18 |