“Mission accomplished”–GWB

Nick Paton Walsh, writing for CNN, reports on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s five goals for ending the conflict in Syria. Here is a list of Tillerson’s five points followed by my views on the Syrian conflict.

1. ISIS and al Qaeda must “suffer an enduring defeat.”
2. “…a stable, unified, independent Syria, under post-Assad leadership, is functioning as a state.”
3. Iranian influence in Syria must be “diminished”.
4. “refugees and IDPs (internally displaced people) can begin to safely and voluntarily return to Syria.”
5. Syria must be “free of weapons of mass destruction.”

However, ISIS and al Qaeda may lose any number of battles without suffering an “enduring defeat.” Assad seems more firmly in power now than previously. Iranian influence in Syria may be beyond our control as is any guarantee of safety for refugees and IDPs. Perhaps Tillerson’s fifth point is achievable if it hasn’t already been achieved, but there is no guarantee of it.

Tillerson’s plan offers continuing warfare with no end in sight and little hope of achieving his five goals. I wish we could do better.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/18/politics/syria-us-tillerson-walsh-intl/index.html

© William Hungerford – Jan. 2018