Saturday, March 23, 2013

Say What? - Chairman of Joint Chiefs admits U.S. doesn't understand Syrian rebels

http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/secure/2013/03_27/me.asp

 

Chairman of Joint Chiefs admits U.S. doesn't understand Syrian rebels

WASHINGTON — The United States has acknowledged losing understanding of the Sunni revolt in Syria.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff, responsible for advising President Barack Obama, has confirmed that it was struggling with the war against Syrian President Bashar Assad. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs said Washington understood less of the Sunni opposition in 2013 than during the previous year.

Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey.  Saul Loeb/Getty Images


"About six months ago, we had a very opaque understanding of the opposition," Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey said. "And now I would say it's even more opaque."

In an address to the Center for Strategic and International Studies on March 18, Dempsey said the lack of understanding would restrain the United States from intervening in the civil war in Syria. He referred to the rise of Al Qaida-aligned or -inspired militias believed leading the revolt against Assad.

"I don't think at this point I can see a military option that would create an understandable outcome," Dempsey said. "And until I do, it would be my advice to proceed cautiously."

The address came in wake of reports that Washington was training Syrian rebels in Jordan to fire anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. The Obama administration has refused to confirm the reports, but acknowledged that it was encouraging European Union and Arab allies to arm the rebels.

Dempsey suggested that he reversed his earlier advocacy of direct military help to the Syrian rebels. Instead, the general said he encouraged U.S. allies to lead the effort to build rebel strength amid the offensive by the Syrian military. Qatar and Saudi Arabia were said to be financing the Sunni revolt.

"We very much do believe that the answer to Syria is through partners, because there's a greater likelihood that they'll understand the complexities than we would," Dempsey said.

 

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