Regarding the Syrian war: This is, of course, an ethnic conflict. The Sunni majority is fighting to wrest power from the Alawite minority (of which Assad is the leader.) The West, including the USA, is in a quandary as to how to stop this. Sen. McClain, bless him, sees it as struggle between oppressed rebels and an iron-fisted uncompromising regime. But Obama realizes that it doesn’t matter which side wins because the bloodshed will continue until one side or the other is vanquished.
Support Assad and he will continue his conquest against the rebels; support the rebels and they will massacre the Alawites (which make up about 17 percent of the population.) So what to do? I have no idea. The U.S. can’t win. It will make an enemy of one side or the other. The diplomats (if we’ve got any) have a difficult task on their hands.
Roger Sayer
Mukilteo
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
