Richard Murphy: "The US's Limited Options in Syria" - French FM from Beirut: "Assad's regime is in a state of 'decomposition'"

Via FLC 

"... Ambassador Richard Murphy: If Aleppo falls to Assad, this would be a major setback for the Syrian opposition, but if the opposition can extend its control over Aleppo and possible possibly a buffer zone safe which extends up to the Turkish border in the north, this will be mark the 'Internationalization' of the Syrian crisis ... , but It should be noted that there is no appetite in the West for a decisive participation beside divided opposition to defeat Assad by imposing a safe area because the establishment of such an area is not a granted thing, especially that it requires an air cover and possibly even boots on the ground to provide protection for civilian refugees, ... moreover, there is no U.S. public support for a U.S. military involvement in Syria.

How serious & deep are the 'security concerns' preventing the explicit support of Washington to the opposition in view of reports indicating that 'foreign elements is the opposition are Islamists who may include elements belonging to al Qaeda.?

Ambassador Richard Murphy: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton predicted from the beginning that the longer the Syrian opposition was in danger of being more fragmented & 'radicalized' .... which allowed the increased incorporation of the Jihadists elements from outside Syria,...

What is the option that was rejected by the United States, that could have contributed to a faster settlement of the crisis faster?

Richard Murphy: When the international mediator & UN envoy Kofi Annan called for a meeting in Geneva a few weeks ago for a 'contact group' on the Syrian crisis, he suggested the involvement of Iran ... and I think personally think that the United States should've explored this option because without a doubt Iran has influence & a role in Syria, and that role probably far exceeds the role & influence of Russia...."

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian  
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this Blog!