11. "An Army in all Corners" Assad's campaign strategy in Europe
- Author:
- Chris Kozak
- Publication Date:
- 08-2015
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Institute for the Study of War
- Abstract:
- U.S. policymakers in April 2015 appear to be returning to the position that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad represents the “least worst option in Syria” for American strategic interests. Assad is often compared to the Islamic State (ISIS) with the implication that Assad is the lesser of two evils. Senior administration officials including Secretary of State John Kerry signaled support for diplomatic negotiations with the regime in March 2015, rather than developing a committed strategy to remove Assad from power. American leaders’ ambivalence reflects the limitations of U.S. policy which attempts to treat Syria as the backdrop for a narrow counterterrorism problem rather than a comprehensive national security issue. This outlook is dangerously flawed.
- Topic:
- International Security and War Crimes
- Political Geography:
- Syria