WHAT TO DO ABOUT SYRIA?
THO Discussed “What to do in Syria?”
As the conflict in Syria enters its fifth year, critical
disagreements among key allies make it difficult to have an optimistic outcome.
Russia’s military intervention in the Syrian conflict has not only exacerbated
tensions between regional players but also complicated the solution. The
Turkish Heritage Organization (THO) invited Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow at
the International Security Program at Harvard University, and Dr. Sanford
Silverburg a Professor Emeritus at Catawba College, and Public Relations
Director at Syrian American Council, Omar Hossino to discuss the current
situation in Syria and what the future holds for the conflict ridden region.
The Role of the Assad Regime
There was a consensus across the panel that there will be no
improvements in resolving the conflict as long as the Assad regime remains in
power. Omar Hossino of SAC stated, “the Assad regime compromises anti-ISIS
efforts, he is the root cause for ISIS” and that he also “continues to
flagrantly disregard UN Security Council Resolutions” creating a continuing
lack of successful diplomatic politics in the region.
Senior Fellow at Harvard University, Chuck Freilich, agreed
with Hossino, saying, “the Assad regime
will not accept any compromises from the west. The diplomatic solution will not
continue without leverage.” Mr. Freilich argued that Russia’s intervention in
Syria has caused tensions with not only regional powers but also the US and the
rest of NATO’s allies.
Speakers indicated
that in an effort to re-gain its Cold War era power, Russia is trying to engage
in 21st century diplomacy with 19th century tactics. Furthermore,
they underlined the fact that Russian strategy in Syria simply has not helped
alleviate the crisis but rather has caused greater turmoil in the region.
What is the US doing in Syria?
In regards to the
Obama administrations role in Syria, speakers were in cohesion that the past
and current strategies in Syria have not been enough. Dr. Silverberg, noted, “I
am not a supporter of solutions to political problems. You have to manage
conflict to a reasonable level of acceptance to all the participants.” Dr.
Silverberg indicated that the US strategy has not realistically taken into
account all the actors in the region in the decision making processes,
particularly about the future of the Asad regime.
Harvard University
Senior Fellow Freilich echoed this view. “Although so far the Obama
administration has mishandled the Syrian situation there has not been many
plausible options since the beginning of the conflict. The international
community is currently focused on ISIS but we have to look at the greater and
longer future of Syria” said Freilich.
Speakers agreed that
the general American perspective would like to see stability in Syria with a
regime change in the near future while avoiding troops on the ground in Syria
as the US military does not need a confrontation with Russia over the Syrian
conflict.
Overall, the take
away from the teleconference was that there is much to be done on strategies in
Syria from all sides of the globe including Russia, Turkey, and the US. The
past and upcoming summits across the globe will rely on diplomatic talks to
develop a conceivable strategy that can be a pivotal turning point in the
Syrian conflict.