Photo: Aydan Yurdakul, PA staff, U.S. Consulate General Istanbul (via State Department).
SEN. JOHN McCAIN won’t be satisfied, though he rarely is unless there are boots on the ground, but it’s a signal sent by Pres. Obama through Secy. Clinton, nonetheless.
Brian Katulis does the analysis:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Turkey this weekend publicly signaled that the United States has entered a new phase of its policy on Syria—one in which the United States is working more actively to accelerate the downfall of the Assad regime in Syria while dealing with the risks resulting from the continued conflict.
In announcing a formal U.S.-Turkish bilateral team consisting of military, intelligence, and political leaders to conduct “very intensive operational planning” for policy options on Syria, Secretary Clinton sent the message that the United States is stepping up its cooperation with regional partners and will remain deeply engaged in responding to the continued violence in Syria.
These intensified planning measures are not likely to satisfy administration critics who have argued for more direct U.S. military involvement in Syria. But these steps demonstrate that the Obama administration remains pragmatic in its approach, assessing the likely implications and possible risks of all actions it might take.
The news in Syria goes from bad to worse on the humanitarian front, which has left Pres. Bashar al-Assad vulnerable to war crimes charges when he finally is ousted from power.
The foriegn sponsored violence in Syria along with the foriegn fueled humanitarian crisis in Syria is a a textbook example of what not to do. Assad clearly has the support from the majority of the Syrian people, including the Sunnie population. All of the hypocrites are now showing their true colours. There has not been one example of diplomacy even attempted. The ehaustive diplomatic effort with Iraq to get them on board with inspections should serve as an example. The idea that the crisis in Syria will end with the departure of Assad is absurd. The responsibility of the media to get out the truth and report the facts is lost when it comes to Syria. The Syrian Government is fighting against the worst people, including al-quadea. WHy exactly are we involved in the humanitarian crisis in Syria? I know that we are, I just do not know why. I am still convinced that Assad will stay in power. I could be wrong. I do not think Presidnet Obama is dumb enough to go to war or even have a diplomatic crisis against China, Russia, and Iran in order to get political points, even this close to the Election.
*exhaustive (note to self: preview and proofread posts!)