Powers fail to agree a solution to Syria crisis
by Gerald Butt, Middle East Correspondent
Posted: 11 Sep 2015 @ 12:04
Grim reaper: an unmanned RAF Reaper drone killed two British citizens fighting for Islamic State in Syria
THE overwhelming Western media coverage of the influx of Syrian refugees into Europe has also focused attention back to ways in which the crisis in that country might be resolved — by military or diplomatic means. Both options face huge obstacles, and neither can offer a guarantee of success.
The problem when weighing military action is that different international actors identify different allies. For example, both Russia and the United States agree on the need to contain and defeat Islamic State (IS) and other jihadists in Syria.
Russia believes this can be achieved most effectively by leaving President Assad and his regime in power in Damascus; the US, however, is backing the opposition groups that want to oust him.
Indeed, so great is Russia’s determination to keep a foothold in Syria that Western powers would need to think twice about taking military action there without consulting Moscow first — especially given recent reports of Russian troops fighting alongside Syrian government forces.
The most likely military move would be an extension to Syria of the current campaign of air strikes in Iraq. This is an option being considered by the British Government, and one that has considerable backing.
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Powers fail to agree a solution to Syria crisis
by Gerald Butt, Middle East Correspondent
Posted: 11 Sep 2015 @ 12:04
Grim reaper: an unmanned RAF Reaper drone killed two British citizens fighting for Islamic State in Syria
THE overwhelming Western media coverage of the influx of Syrian refugees into Europe has also focused attention back to ways in which the crisis in that country might be resolved — by military or diplomatic means. Both options face huge obstacles, and neither can offer a guarantee of success.
The problem when weighing military action is that different international actors identify different allies. For example, both Russia and the United States agree on the need to contain and defeat Islamic State (IS) and other jihadists in Syria.
Russia believes this can be achieved most effectively by leaving President Assad and his regime in power in Damascus; the US, however, is backing the opposition groups that want to oust him.
Indeed, so great is Russia’s determination to keep a foothold in Syria that Western powers would need to think twice about taking military action there without consulting Moscow first — especially given recent reports of Russian troops fighting alongside Syrian government forces.
The most likely military move would be an extension to Syria of the current campaign of air strikes in Iraq. This is an option being considered by the British Government, and one that has considerable backing.
Continue reading at:
Powers fail to agree a solution to Syria crisis
