Straddling Fences: The Fastest Way to Pull Your Groin

Almost one month ago, in his first post-election press conference, President Obama was asked about American support for the Syrian Opposition.  In response he said, “We are not yet prepared to recognize them as some sort of government in exile, but we do think that it is a broad-based representative group.  One of the questions that we are going to continue to press is making sure that that opposition is committed to a democratic Syria, an inclusive Syria, a moderate Syria.” 

Obama continued to offer some insight into the factors which would influence future American support for the Opposition.  “We have seen extremist elements insinuate themselves into the opposition.  And one of things we have to be on guard about, particularly when we start talking about arming opposition figures, is that we're not indirectly putting arms in the hands of folks who would do Americans harm, or do Israelis harm, or otherwise engage in actions that are detrimental to our national security.”     

Yesterday (12/11/12) the United States designated Jabhat al Nusra (the Support Front) as a terrorist organization, claiming the group is probably a cover for al Qaida in Iraq (AQI).  Jabhat al Nusra is one of many groups fighting against the Syrian army and pro Assad forces. 

Also yesterday, President Obama announced the formal recognition of the Syrian Opposition Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.  “We've made a decision that the Syrian Opposition Coalition is now inclusive enough, is reflective and representative enough of the Syrian population that we consider them the legitimate representative of the Syrian people in opposition to the Assad regime.” 

So… in the same day as it labeled a group opposing President Assad a terrorist organization, the United States formally recognizes the Syrian Opposition Coalition as the legitimate body representing the Syrian people.  At first glance, this seems to go directly against what President Obama said in his 11.14.12 press conference; that extremist elements in the Syrian opposition were the reason the United States had not yet formally recognized the legitimacy of the Syrian Opposition Coalition.  So what happened during the last month to prompt this contradiction on policy? 

Since it no longer appears that the Assad regime is readying chemical weapons, the most likely cause is today’s meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco between the Syrian Opposition Coalition and the ‘Friends of Syria’ group.  At the meeting a draft declaration was issued calling the Syrian Opposition Coalition, “the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.”  The declaration also stated, “Bashar al-Assad has lost legitimacy and should stand aside to allow a sustainable political transition process.” 

The United States has come to a fork in the road.  Option one is to label groups with ties to al Qaida as terrorist organizations.  Option two is support the Syrian Opposition Coalition.  This fork has been over a year in the making, beginning when the Free Syrian Army asked for military aid.  The United States chose not to provide any, so the FSA sought aid from other nations and non-state actors.  It should come as no surprise that some of the groups stepping up to fight alongside the Syrian rebels have extremist views and ties to terrorist organizations. 

Politics makes strange bedfellows.  And right now the United States has to decide whether it will sleep alone on the couch, or lower its standards and get some action.  The current strategy of straddling the fence between options one and two has resulted in the United States being ridiculed by the people it claims to support.  It is an unsustainable policy, and needs to end.