Ignatius’s Wisdom

David Ignatius, the haruspex of the prevailing DC wisdom, offers President Obama some unsolicited (I presume) advice on what to do about Syria:

A prime example of the intelligence shortfall is the train-and-equip program that was derailed so quickly this summer by Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaeda affiliate, in northern Syria. The Pentagon needs to assess immediately why this overt, U.S.-backed program failed so badly, and whether it can be rebuilt. A better bet may be the CIA’s covert training program, whose fighters can make tactical battlefield deals with Jabhat al-Nusra without publicly allying with it.

What about safe zones in northern and southern Syria? That still seems like a good idea, so long as they’re established as corridors for humanitarian assistance and revived public services, rather than an armed U.S. or Turkish military intervention to help the rebels. Here, again, the United States needs better information. Scores of Syrians travel across the border from Turkey and Jordan every day to deliver basic supplies and keep water and other essential services operating. Talk to them! Maybe these zones could be the start of a managed transition to a post-Assad government.

The United States has lost its chance to make Assad’s departure a precondition for negotiations. But Washington should continue to insist that he must go eventually. Otherwise, no political deal can work. President Obama should be urging Putin right now to resume the Geneva negotiating process.

Here’s my equally unsolicited and probably much less welcome advice: identify your priorities and pursue them unflinchingly. Rather than getting lost in the weeds as Mr. Ignatius does, think of what kind of Syria we want and the policies most likely to encourage that kind of Syria.

In Syria there are the Assad government, Al Qaeda, and DAESH. There are probably hundreds of militias and various groups but they boil down to just those three alternatives. The idea that either Al Qaeda or DAESH have any interest in a liberal democratic government in Syria is fatuous. If that’s what we want there or even if we just want stability there, the road in that direction runs through the Assad government. The Russians, consummate realists, understand that.

3 comments… add one
  • ... Link

    What he using too get the entrails? Perhaps former and former potential Republican House Speakers?

  • ... Link

    What the Hell is up with that spelling?

  • steve Link

    Safe zones that don’t require an armed military presence? I am sure the head choppers would respect that.

    Steve

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