• Home
• /
• Opinion

US runs out of options on Syria

In the latest policy acrobatics, the US would now like to partner with Kurds and some rebel groups.

• Follow us on
• 
• 
• 

Published: Sun 11 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 11 Oct 2015, 11:42 AM

US President Barack Obama's policy vis-à-vis Syria has been muddled from the very beginning. First he said the use of chemical weapons was the red line. But when tangible evidence emerged about Bashar Al Assad's use of sarin gas, he chickened out by opting for a deal with Russia under which Syria's chemical weapons arsenal would be shipped out under international supervision.
The same policy is in ample evidence now when the US shelved its $500 million programme to train and equip 'moderate rebels'. Once again the US has bared its weak-kneed and confused thinking on the key foreign policy issue. Russia's surprise entry into Syria has changed the landscape of the battlefield and left the US with no option but to retreat.
The US support to so-called moderate opponents of Assad has become half-hearted once Daesh emerged as the major player on Syria and Iraq warfront. It has been unable to make up its mind on who is greater enemy. Is it Daesh or Assad regime? So Washington blundered from one policy position to another. Now it can neither ally with Russia, Iran and Assad nor can it launch its own battle against the deadly militant outfit. It is an unseemly spectacle to see the superpower run out of all ptions.
In the latest policy acrobatics, the US would now like to partner with Kurds and some rebel groups. Though Kurds emerged as steady and reliable allies, the other rebel groups have been non-existent on the ground. All non-Daesh groups in Syria are affiliated to Al Qaeda, which not long ago was the archenemy of the US. In fact, some of the arms and money lavished on the so-called moderates ended up with Al Nusra front. This is an object lesson for America in how not to do foreign policy. Now the US should sit back for a while and see how the Russian intervention plays out in Syria. For once, the US has to cede ground to its Cold War rival.