White House cautions Syria rebels not to repeat mistakes of Iraq
Source: Washington Post
By Anne Gearan and Joby Warrick,
The Obama administration is warning Syrian opposition forces not to completely disband President Bashar al-Assads hated security and government apparatus if he is killed or forced from power, according to U.S. officials, who want them to avoid the chaos and power vacuum of Iraq in 2003.
Momentum has shifted rapidly against Assad, but the Syrian army fought back this weekend by launching an attack on Aleppo, the countrys largest city. After massing outside the city over the past few days, tanks backed by attack helicopters bombarded rebel-held neighborhoods on Saturday.
In increasingly detailed strategy sessions over recent weeks, U.S. officials have urged rebels and Syrian political opposition leaders to resist sectarian reprisals if Assads government falls. Officials said they are endeavoring to help the rebels learn from U.S. mistakes in Iraq, where the dissolution of the army and other institutions unleashed further turmoil.
You cant have a complete dissolution of that [system] because those institutions will be needed in a political transition, said one U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because discussions with Syrias fragmented opposition are sensitive.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/white-house-cautions-syrian-rebels-not-to-repeat-mistakes-of-iraq/2012/07/28/gJQAJx9uGX_story.html
PIERRE TORRES/AFP/GETTY IMAGES - Holding up the the first flag of the Baath Party regime, adopted by the Revolutionary Command Council, Syrians protest in the Shaar neighborhood of Aleppo during the funeral of a man allegedly killed in the bombardment of Sukari on July 27, 2012. The Obama administration is warning Syrian opposition forces not to completely disband President Bashar al-Assads hated government apparatus if
KG
(28,753 posts)bemildred
(90,061 posts)But quite correct, the "clean slate" never really is.
SkyDaddy7
(6,045 posts)Cheney/Bush made so many mistakes in Iraq...I think it is safe to say look at what Cheney/Bush did in Iraq & try & do exactly the opposite in every situation!!
lunatica
(53,410 posts)That's a first.
Maybe there's hope...
may3rd
(593 posts)yes,
but who will be cutting their checks?
The US taxpayer ?