Fareed Zakaria: Obama on the path to success in Syria

[sheshe2]

Whatever the twisted path, whether by design or accident, the Obama administration has ended up in a better place on Syria than looked possible even days ago. The president was wise to take up and begin to test the Russian offer to remove and possibly destroy Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons. In fact, the offer has forced some clarity from a sometimes muddled U.S. foreign policy. For the president to turn this situation into a foreign policy success, he will have to maintain that clarity.

…. Obama’s aim is solely to affirm an international norm. To this end, he already has achieved something important. He has mobilized world attention, and there is now a chance, albeit small, that he might get a process in place that monitors and even destroys Syrian chemical weapons. Almost certainly he has ensured that such weapons won’t be used again by the Assad regime. That’s more than he could have achieved through airstrikes — which are unlikely to have destroyed such weapons. (Bombing chemical weapons facilities could easily release toxins into the atmosphere.) This is a significant success.

…. The Obama administration is right to carefully and thoroughly pursue the diplomatic path — even though it will be difficult. While Syria and Russia are doing so as a way to avert an attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin might also be happy to see Assad’s weapons locked up or destroyed. In fact, this gambit might be a way for Russia to achieve its real goals in Syria: no regime change and no chemical weapons…..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/fareed-zakaria-obama-is-on-the-path-to-success-in-syria/2013/09/11/5757f55a-1b06-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html?tid=pm_opinions_pop

Found here.
http://theobamadiary.com/

*************************This is Posted in The Barack Obama Group*****************

[mountain grammy]

1. Obama is holding Russia's feet to the fire...

"are you ok with chemical attacks, Vlad?" for the whole world to see.

The obstructionists on the UN Security Council must be held accountable for what they are allowing to happen, just like the obstructionists in our Congress.

Fortunately, world leaders, for the most part, aren't as stupid as so many Americans.

[DevonRex]

2. Which is exactly why some in the Admin have floated regime change lately. To

scare the shit out of both Assad and Russia. After 2 long years of Obama refusing to get involved in their civil war, he used that threat to get them to the table as well as the threat of strikes.

It played well into the wild card scenario he has created in which everyone believes he just might be serious. Even the fringe "left" at home.

[sheshe2]

3. He played it well, Devon.

Never underestimate the man.

[Cha]

4. Excellent piece from Fareed Zakaria, she..

As you highlighted.. this is Key..

…. Obama’s aim is solely to affirm an international norm. To this end, he already has achieved something important. He has mobilized world attention, and there is now a chance, albeit small, that he might get a process in place that monitors and even destroys Syrian chemical weapons. Almost certainly he has ensured that such weapons won’t be used again by the Assad regime.

And, as I said last night about "smart negotiators".. they can't negotiate from a position of weakness.

Which PBO has made sure that isn't the case. Look at all it took to be on "The Path to Success in Syria"!

Thank you for the OP, she~