What You Should Know About Developing Syria Situation

Brian Katulis

MEPC boardmember Brian Katulis, writing for Salon, discusses why Obama’s recent decision to supply small-arms to Syria’s rebels is just a continuation of a very cautious U.S. policy. Click here to read the full piece.

What

Thursday’s announcement by the White House that it would begin supplying Syria’s rebels with small arms and ammunition represents a modest shift in tactics and by itself doesn’t represent a major strategic shift in U.S. policy on Syria, contrary to the conventional wisdom.

The initial commentaries sparked by this public statement demonstrated a major shortcoming in our discussion on Syria for months – a heavy fixation on tactics or means to achieve objectives, without much reference to the overall strategy with all of its components. At times it seems as if a “no strategy” zone has been imposed on the U.S. policy debate on Syria.

The Obama administration’s overall cautious strategy on Syria – and yes, it does have a strategy – remains largely intact and unchanged in the broad contours. The key question isn’t whether the administration has a strategy. Instead, the most important questions are whether the administration’s Syria strategy is effective in advancing U.S. security interests and values — and whether the full range of means the United States is willing to invest in will produce the outcomes it hopes to achieve.

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