Should the US ally with Syrian President Assad and Russia to defeat ISIL?

2015-10-11T03:36:38-04:00

I remember only a short time ago, that US openly supported the Syrian rebels during their civil war. The instability in Syria allowed for the rapid advancement of ISIL which later spread into Iraq. Now the open support of President Assad by Russia is pressuring America to support President Assad to create a unified front against ISIL, of which ISIL has proven itself to be a true adversary with potential of having staying power. Should we ally with President Assad, this will allow for a greater chance to defeat ISIL, but does put the US in an awkward position due to our support of the rebels.

According to the Army Operating Concept (AOC),http://www.tradoc.army.mil/tpubs/pams/tp525-3-1.pdf military land forces can expect five characteristics of future operational environments:

1. Increased velocity of momentum and human interaction events
2. Potential for over-match
3. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
4. Spread of advanced cyberspace and counter-space capabilities
5. Demographics and operations among population, in cities and in complex terrain.

Moreover, the ACC specifically lists Russia and China as our competing powers and due to their technological capabilities, economic viability and resources. Additionally, regional powers, such as Iran, continue to perpetuate sectarian violence through supporting disenfranchised sectors of Arab countries. These known threats are amplified with the constant changing of Transnational Criminal and Terrorist Organizations that develop hybrid threats through covert alliances and use of black markets to support their own ideologies or material gain.

I think that although President Assad and the Russia government are a threat, I believe ISIL is a greater threat and "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" is true in this case.

America’s Fading Footprint in the Middle East

As Russia bombs and Iran plots, the U.S. role is shrinking—and the region’s major players are looking for new ways to advance their own interests

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2015 4:14 AM

2015-10-11T04:14:42-04:00

Do you support Iran? If you do then yes, support President Assad. However, realize you are also supporting Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi rebellion in Yemen. That is because Iran is the primary supporter for each of those organizations to include Assad's regime. The rebels, also known as the Free Syrian Army, are fighting against Assad's regime and the Iranian influence that comes with it. Allying with the Assad regime will not defeat Daesh, nor will it accomplish the US's strategic goals in the Middle East.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-10-12T11:54:48-04:00

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. It will be interesting to see how the US could swing that one.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Oct 12 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-10-12T12:38:15-04:00

We made the mistake of demanding the end of the Assad Regime rather than staying the hell out of it. That puts us in a tough spot. Should we? Probably. Will we? Probably not. It's all about saving face.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Oct 13 at 2015 3:15 AM

2015-10-13T03:15:01-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member - Sergeant; If you haven't already read it, I recommend Weiss and Hasan's "ISIS - Inside the Army of Terror" from Regan Arts (ISBN 98-1-941393-57-4) which was published in February of this year.

It's a bit dry but it's only 242 pages long (not counting notes).

I'll let you draw your own conclusions about which American administration since 1989 comes out looking like they actually knew what they were doing.

One of the interesting points about Syria and Assad that the book brings out is that Assad deliberately created the situation that spurred the growth of ISIS so that he could get the backing of the US.

One way of characterizing the situation in Syria is that it is a three (plus) corner fight between "outrageously violent Islamists", "not so outrageously violent Islamists (of various stripes some of whom may be supporting the 'outrageously violent Islamists' and/or the 'outrageously violent dictator' on any given day of the week, but not on others)", and and "outrageously violent dictator".

The best of the bad lot is the "not so outrageously violent Islamists".

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-10-13T09:46:42-04:00

lesser evil all over again ... ... sigh ... looks like we never learn.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Oct 14 at 2015 4:08 PM

2015-10-14T16:08:55-04:00

This is an excellent opportunity to pull completely out of all sandboxes and let them destroy themselves. Russia has a terrible track record in that part of the world.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 14 at 2015 4:11 PM

2015-10-14T16:11:06-04:00

The problem is that they aren't just targeting ISIS.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 4:32 AM

2015-10-15T04:32:57-04:00

I always have my opinions on these matters but then I think about how fast that would change if I was confronted with the vast amount of intelligence I don't have access to.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 16 at 2015 8:40 PM

2015-10-16T20:40:38-04:00

I think the Russians are perfectly content drinking vodka and watching us be decisively engaged by bad guys with machine guns and RPGs.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 19 at 2015 3:55 PM

2015-10-19T15:55:52-04:00

The problem with defeating ISIS is they are in towns and cities, is quite large of a force, and nobody is interesting conducting house to house fighting.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Dec 16 at 2015 8:15 PM

2015-12-16T20:15:45-05:00

Enemy of my enemy? Ugh,... I don't trust Assad, and never will.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 7:36 PM

2018-12-29T19:36:56-05:00

America will never ally thems3lves with russia. Next question