There are no authorities here on Mudcat on the Mid-East issue. The authorities that
one cites differ greatly on what approach should be taken in regards to Syria.

I will cite one that I trust, Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics who I
say is a sane voice amongst the saber-rattling babble.

It's not so easy to say if you take out Assad all will be well. His government has allies
that must be considered to avoid another world war.

Again, the reason Russia is obstinate in wanting to censure Assad is that it is afraid
of U.S. military hegemony. Putin and Obama have to get together and have trust for
one another, not an escalation of the Cold War.

In the meantime, a curbing of the weapons making industry would help go a long way
toward avoiding a crisis.