Jiri and Leni Valenta: Assad Deludes Himself Syria Is 2ND Vietnam; President Obama Should Consult with Putin

Assad is trying to deter President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry by a vision of another Vietnam in Syria. Two Vietnam vets, Kerry and Defense Secretary Hagel, surely can explain that Vietnam was a very special case. Assad does not any supporters in America who would view him as Uncle Ho. This time there is no Jane Fonda traveling to Damascus. Americans are divided about the intervention yet most regard Assad as a butcher. If we intervene there will be no demonstrations here. America will rally around the president.

However, to be successful in Syria, the President must consult with Putin as well. Judging from reports about the Saudi Arabian prince and Intelligence chief’s secret talks with Putin, Russia’s main concern in Syria is fear of Al Qaeda coming to power and Russia’s losing its naval base and military contracts in Syria. Concerns about OPEC and oil policies and fears of Chechen-Dagestan’s rising wave of violence, even jeopardizing the winter Olympics, are on his mind.

While not humiliating Putin with other offensive remarks and by addressing these concerns with him, Russia could be brought aboard to consider regime change. It has been reported that Assad’s state of mind is pretty close to what Castro’s was when he urged Khruschev to a first nuclear strike against America – or what a trapped Hitler’s was when he turned on his own people. We must act decisively!