Middle East


Violently Ousting Assad Won’t Solve Anything in Syria

After five years of war, terrible tragedies, and undeniable crimes by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his backers, it is hardly surprising to hear calls for more U.S. action: punitive strikesagainst the regime, a no-fly zone, and increased arms for the opposition, all with the ultimate goal of Assad’s departure. These demands are not new, but now with the battle for Syria’s second-largest city of Aleppo coming to a head, further reports of chemical weapons use, and the coming November presidential elections the calls from longstanding critics and former administration officials will surely grow louder. One assumption, however, has gone largely unchallenged: that forcing Assad’s violent removal will help end the war.