Pressure, Not War - A Pragmatic and Principled Policy Towards Syria

[tabatha]

(Too bad the institute is called "Center for a New American Security&quot

Sober, rational, good article.

The ongoing slaughter in Syria poses a major challenge to the United States, both morally and strategically. The call for intervention in such a tragedy is understandable. But there are no realistic military options available that could improve the situation, and those calling for military intervention must demonstrate not only that it is just, but that it can work. They have not.

Diplomatic options are no more likely to produce immediate results. However, they still hold out the best hope of pushing Syria towards a negotiated political transition without either making the situation worse through a poorly conceived military intervention. The diplomatic strategy outlined here will not end the violence or bring about a transition overnight, but it could help mitigate the worst of the current violence while laying the foundation for a transition to a stable, inclusive and peaceful Syria in the future.

http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_PressureNotWar_Lynch.pdf