Syria: It’s Complicated. Also, It Sucks.

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The Lightworker’s Mideast visit was surely an ill omen, and now it appears that the opposition to Syria’s Iranian-backed dictator Bashar al-Assad is in disarray — which may not necessarily be bad news, given the now-obvious post-“Arab Spring” complications:

Syria’s opposition coalition was on the verge of collapse Sunday after its president resigned and rebel fighters rejected its choice to head an interim government, leaving a U.S.-backed effort to forge a united front against President Bashar al-Assad in tatters.
The resignation of Moaz al-Khatib, a moderate Sunni preacher who heads the Syrian Opposition Coalition, climaxed a bitter internal fight over a range of issues, from the appointment of an interim government to a proposal by Khatib to launch negotiations with the Syrian regime.
His departure plunged the opposition into disarray at a time when the United States and its Western allies are stepping up their support for moderates opposed to Assad’s regime. Khatib’s coalition was expected to play a key role in identifying the recipients and channeling the assistance.

The enemy of our enemy in Syria is still our enemy:

Building on the reputation they have earned in recent months as the rebellion’s most accomplished fighters, Islamist units are seeking to assert their authority over civilian life, imposing Islamic codes and punishments and administering day-to-day matters such as divorce, marriage and vehicle licensing.
Numerous Islamist groups are involved, representing a wide spectrum of views. But, increasingly, the dominant role is falling to Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as the al-Nusra Front. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States for suspected ties to al-Qaeda but is widely respected by many ordinary Syrians for its battlefield prowess and the assistance it has provided to needy civilians.

So, we have an Iranian-backed dictator fighting against a domestic insurgency that includes dangerous radical Islamist elements. The CIA is reportedly all up in this mess, and it’s hard to see any real possibility of a “good” outcome.

How’s that Hope and Change workin’ out for ya?

 

22 comments

  2. You know, if Obama openly selected Iran, North Korea, and Putin as his bestest buddies, both countries and Putin would disintegrate faster than Obama’s NCAA picks.

  5. As usual, Obama backs the Islamists.

    Assad’s a monster, but the Islamists would be infinitely worse.

    For starters, he’s Alawite, a minority even in Syria. He has to use most of his energy to suppress his own people so he can stay in power. If the Islamists win, they won’t have this problem. If they win, they will consolidate power and then launch terrorist attacks on the US, Israel, and a variety of countries in Europe. They may try to invade Israel.

  7. If we can stop pretending that Syria isn’t an enemy, it’s all to the good. If Iran loses it’s influence there, it’s all to the good. I could care less what screaming collection of nose-choppers comes to power. They’re all the same, and we can put them into our sights, too.

    Screw Assad. He’s got it coming.

  8. Well, you can imagine Obama’s surprise that betraying both sides in every conflict pisses everyone off.

  10. Assad had enough energy left over to covertly assist the jihadis in Iraq while we were there, and knock over the Lebanese government while he was at it. And the Islamists will do all the things you mention whether or not they topple Assad.

  15. It’s almost like Mr. Chaos himself is using the office he holds and a buttload of taxpayer dollars to indulge in his very own game of global Stratego (with killer drones and everything)…. with little regard for the consequences. As good parents, we should have busted his troublemaking little ass, confiscated his drones and golf clubs and sent him to his room with no supper. Since we failed to do that we should expect the blowback of his many betrayals.

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