Jessie,
The real problem here is that there has been Zero management plan to deal with the vacuum that is created when a dictator is removed.
That is how barbaric radical groups have been born, such as ISIS, however the particular scenario here is different in that the US is actually supporting and in effect condoning their murderous rampage, because it assists them with their agenda, to Remove Assad. But the US has no strategy to deal with the result if that happens. There are a number of Jihadist groups waiting in the wings to fill that void if it occurs, and that resolves nothing. then the west is left to mop up that mess and its a whole new, ongoing crisis.
The problem is the united nations cant get involved in a peace keeping capacity for instance to maintain control and assist in restoring some form of peace, because Russia is intervening. In reality I think the UN doesn't have the will either. But really nothing can happen until ISIS and its affiliates are wiped from the ME.
What the US should be doing is allying with Russia for the common purpose and most urgent need to eradicate ISIS.
Only then can the next step towards peace be initiated. But the US aren't doing as they are saying! This conflict could be resolved, yes with some bruising to the west, but there appears to be NO will to do so by the US.
If the US strategy does not shift strategy soon, Russia will be seen as the hero that eradicated ISIS, and the yanks wont like that, hence their current tantrum about Russia's involvement.
Any thinking person could see that Russia's current activity was always going to be a natural progression of their foreign strategy in the ME, the US had plenty of time to act accordingly, but they wanted to play a foreign strategy akin to a game of chicken, and Russia held firm and didn't deviate! Now the US is left stranded!
RUSSIA has always been very open in regards to their thoughts on the situation in Syria, and have not changed their strategy to back Assad.
The sooner more hardware is on the ground with boots, the sooner this mess will be resolved! It was always going to be the only way, and Russia recognised this. No war has ever been won on airpower alone!
Rather than attempting to save face and denigrate Russia's involvement, the US needs to suck it up. admit it screwed up and lost control and implement a proper strategy to resolve this shambles they started!
Plenty of people called out the US strategy a year ago, and 12 months later, where are we? A situation that has deteriorated immensely and pulled in Europe!
It is as plain as day that Kerry is scrambling to save face for the US but they still appear more interested in saving face than actually ending this conflict.
A very interesting question is "where will we be in another twelve months ????"
