Analysis: What Steps the U.S. Should Take Toward Syria

In the Wall Street Journal, Elliott Abrams argues that American leadership can ultimately help prevent a civil war in Syria.  Thus far, Abram argues that the U.S. has not had a strategy toward Syria except “prayers that Syria doesn’t turn into Libya.”

Abrams writes that because the Alawite society has different degrees of support for the Assads, it is important for the U.S. to address them both publicly and privately through the available military and intelligence channels.  In addition, Turkey can also send messages to the Alawite military in an effort to persuade them against saving the “Assad mafia.” In order for these efforts to be effective, Abrams argues that the U.S. should stop “speaking about ‘the regime’ and speak instead about the ‘the Assads.’ We should end the American equivocation and say clearly that Assad must and will go.”

Additionally, Abrams argues that Ambassador Robert Ford should be recalled to Syria in an effort “to demonstrate a final break with the Assads, or he should be deployed repeatedly, as he was in Hama, to symbolize America’s support for the opposition.”  Abrams also writes that the U.S. should increase pressure on the Syrian business community by increasing international cooperation in enforcing additional sanctions geared toward Syrian imports and exports.

Most importantly, Abrams argues that the U.S. should encourage the Syrian opposition to “state with greater clarity their commitment to civil peace” including, the protection of minorities- Alawites, Kurds and Christians.  ”The more detailed these pledges are, and the more publicity and international support they get, the more good they will do inside Syria,” Abrams writes.