Is there a solution to the Syrian crisis.

The killing in Syria and elsewhere must stop, preferably before there is no one left to kill. It's all tied up (it seems to me)with the refugee crisis. Europe cannot go on absorbing the multitudes trying to escape from their war torn countries. It seems almost by the by that some, perhaps many of them are looking for a free ride, and others are without doubt terrorist inspired.

It has been said on these pages, and thus far I agree that IS and other related terror groups have not yet faced disciplined western troops. They would most decidedly be beaten if they tried open combat, but they won't. Terror, and the roadside bomb are their stock in trade. Their seems to be no shortage of suicide bombers. Even if they were militarily defeated. their twisted ideology would remain with the added bitterness of their defeat.

Assad is by our standards a monster, I do not deny that. It seems to me however that we should be helping the Russians and Assad's own forces to stabilise the country. Once firmly under control (terrorist attacks will still take place, but they do elsewhere anyway) The process of rebuilding can begin, as sooner or later it must. That in itself should be enough to stem the unceasing flow of migrants. Once Assad is in control again, will reduce the need for Russian bombing, and then we can start talking to him about changing the conditions of the people.

The alternative, to bumble along as we are doing, muttering about Putin, and condemning Assad is killing more people by the day. causing tend of thousands to try to get to Europe, with more dying in the process. Even Churchill said jaw jaw is better than war war. if Obama can sign deals with iran, I'm sure we can come to some accommodation with Assad

katertaif wrote:The killing in Syria and elsewhere must stop, preferably before there is no one left to kill. It's all tied up (it seems to me)with the refugee crisis. Europe cannot go on absorbing the multitudes trying to escape from their war torn countries. It seems almost by the by that some, perhaps many of them are looking for a free ride, and others are without doubt terrorist inspired.

It has been said on these pages, and thus far I agree that IS and other related terror groups have not yet faced disciplined western troops. They would most decidedly be beaten if they tried open combat, but they won't. Terror, and the roadside bomb are their stock in trade. Their seems to be no shortage of suicide bombers. Even if they were militarily defeated. their twisted ideology would remain with the added bitterness of their defeat.

Assad is by our standards a monster, I do not deny that. It seems to me however that we should be helping the Russians and Assad's own forces to stabilise the country. Once  firmly under control (terrorist attacks will still take place, but they do elsewhere anyway) The  process of rebuilding can begin, as sooner or later it must. That in itself should be enough  to stem the unceasing flow of migrants. Once Assad is in control again, will reduce the need for Russian bombing, and then we can start talking to him about changing the conditions of the people.

The alternative, to bumble along as we are doing, muttering about Putin, and condemning Assad is killing more people by the day. causing tend of thousands to try to get to Europe, with more dying in the process. Even Churchill said jaw jaw is better than war war. if Obama can sign deals with iran, I'm sure we can come to some accommodation with Assad

In full agreement with your conclusion, katertaif and a conclusion many of the world's leaders may well have previously reached, but the West seem to have an aversion to striking a deal with Putin which would leave Assad in control... The West should look at their own dismal record of failure with their removal of both Hussein and Gaddafi and the ongoing insanity which continues unabated in Afghanistan to see and understand the outcome of removing rulers or systems that retain their control by use of fear and force without a replacement ruling caste that is fully satisfactory to all of the population .

The choice is obvious, retain Assad with Russian and perhaps Western monitoring until a genuine vote can elect a satisfactory government to put the country is back on it's feet.

The same logic could work in Iraq and Libya..... (In an ideal world).....