Sunday, November 22, 2015

A real interim choice for Syria - Family Security Matters

From Walid Phaes. 
The development of a free Syria is the most viable option for the United States and Europe and the rest of the international community
In the northeastern part of Syria-contiguous to Iraq and Turkey-lies al Hasaka or the Triangle, also known as al Jazeera province.
As large as Lebanon, this area is inhabited by roughly four million Kurds, one million Christians and a half million Arabs. Assad forces have practically left the area, and Kurdish militias have set up patrols, stopping Al Qaeda militias trying to enter these districts.
This region should be the foundation for a free Syria. Here we should nurture a free zone inside Syria with the potential to grow rapidly and defeat both the Assad regime and the Jihadists.
With U.S. and western help, the Kurds, Christians and Arabs who populate this region can establish a liberated zone with its cities and rivers and expanded airports that should serve as the receiving area for aid.
The current FSA and other opposition groups can be invited to aggregate in this region. This pluralist "smaller Syria" would become the basis for liberation of the country-and the establishment of a pluralistic and peaceful society for all Syrians.

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/detail/a-real-interim-choice-for-syria

Very interesting ideas here.  This seems to make a lot of sense.  Why not allow these people to settle in a land they are familiar with and cultures they are familiar with.  Give them the opportunity to make free choices and work out their path to freedom.

It seems we could provide troops to help the Kurds establish a southern border that would be defensive in nature and not an aggressive force.  This may be more palatable to many than "boots on the ground".

Recent articles emphasize how costly it is for Western countries to bring in these refugees.  Just in dollars alone, the cost to provide support locally would be much less than what it costs us to bring them here.  In addition, it seems to alleviate many of the problems of being culturally assimilated into our societies.