WPR's The New Rules: Assad's Ouster Best Chance to Stave off Israel-Iran Conflict

Monday, March 5, 2012 at 8:55AM
Thomas P.M. Barnett in Arab Spring, China, Europe, Iran, Israel, Middle East, Obama Administration, Russia, Syria, Turkey, US foreign policy, WPR Column

The debate among U.S. foreign policy analysts over the wisdom of an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities -- and whether or not America should allow itself to be drawn into an ensuing conflict with Iran should Israel strike -- has largely taken place parallel to the debate over whether to pursue an R2P, or responsibility to protect, intervention in Syria. It bears noting, however, that forcing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s departure may be the best near-term policy for the U.S. to avoid being sucked into an Israeli-Iranian war.

Read the entire column at World Politics Review.

Article originally appeared on Thomas P.M. Barnett (https://thomaspmbarnett.com/).