Grading Obama’s Middle East Strategy (Sensibly): Part II: Syria
... largest and deadliest. Here, as in other situations, we have a crisis in which we must be careful not to blame Obama too much but ... ... were inspired by their Arab brethren in the happier days of the Arab Spring in 2011. This was, generally, a struggle for freedom,... ... and, unlike Qaddafi’s, had strong patrons in Russia and Iran who would complicate and increase the costs of any Western ... ... 2012 the CIA began helping U.S. allies Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar vet and identify rebels moderate enough to recommend them ...