International Crisis Group

What Obama Doesn’t Understand About Syria | Noah Bonsey

The U.S. policy to defeat the Islamic State is doomed to failure. Here’s how to fix it.

The current U.S. strategy to destroy the Islamic State is likely doomed to fail. In fact, it risks doing just the opposite of its intended goal: strengthening the jihadis’ appeal in Syria, Iraq, and far beyond, while leaving the door open for the Islamic State to expand into new areas.

This is in large part because the United States so far has addressed the problem of the Islamic State in isolation from other aspects of the trans-border conflict in Syria and Iraq. Unless Barack Obama’s administration takes a broader view, it will be unable to respond effectively to the deteriorating situation on the ground.

The good news is that the White House can still change course – and indeed, President Obama has reportedly requested a review of his administration’s strategy in Syria. In crafting a new way forward, the White House needs to understand three points about the Islamic State and the military landscape in which it operates.

FULL COMMENTARY (Foreign Policy)

Photo: Official White House Photo/Pete Souza

Analyst Q&A: Obama’s Agenda for Asia Visit | Daniel Schearf

President Obama is in Japan Thursday at the start of a four-country visit in East Asia reassuring U.S. allies of its commitment to security and stability in the region as part of the so-called “Asia pivot” or “re-balance.” The trip was delayed last year because of U.S. political fighting over budget issues. North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats are expected to dominate talks in Japan and South Korea as there are indications Pyongyang is preparing its fourth nuclear test. China’s increasingly assertive moves on disputed territory are also expected to be discussed as some worry Beijing may follow Russia’s lead in Crimea by using force to take back historic claims. VOA spoke with the Deputy Director for Northeast Asia at the International Crisis Group, Daniel Pinkston, on these issues via Skype.

FULL INTERVIEW (Voice of America)

You Got a Better Idea? |  James Traub

I would like to believe – or maybe I would just like to pretend for a moment that I believe – that the many congressmen and foreign-policy sages who flat-out oppose President Barack Obama’s plan to bomb Syria in response to the regime’s use of poison gas have an alternative in mind. Surely they don’t think, “Let those crazy Muslims kill each other,” or “It’s none of our business.” That would be callous. It would be un-American.

FULL ARTICLE (Foreign Policy)

Photo: Devin Smith/Flickr

Inside the administration’s ‘new’ approach on Syria  |  Foreign Policy

By Josh Rogin   

The Obama administration very publicly signaled a shift in its approach to dealing with the Syria crisis after negotiations broke down at the United Nations in mid-July.

But the actual details of that shift are still being debated internally and the administration’s rhetoric has gotten out ahead of its policy, according to officials, experts, and lawmakers.

FULL ARTICLE (Foreign Policy)

Photo: Freedom House/Flickr

US abandons diplomacy as way to end Syria crisis  |  Boston.com

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has for now abandoned efforts for a diplomatic settlement to the conflict in Syria and instead it is increasing aid to the rebels and redoubling efforts to rally a coalition of like-minded countries to forcibly bring down the government of President Bashar Assad, US officials say.

FULL ARTICLE (Boston.com)

Photo: Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/ABr/Wikimedia Commons