The Consequences of Inaction: US and NATO Syria Policy
The Consequences of Inaction: US and NATO Syria Policy
https://www.mei.edu/publications/consequences-inaction-us-and-nato-syria-policy
Etana Syria
Summary
In recent years of the Syrian crisis, the reluctance of NATO states to take decisive action to secure their interests and protect Syrian lives has had drastic repercussions in both Syria and the wider region. Where NATO members have shown indecisiveness and a refusal to engage, their geopolitical rivals, Iran and Russia, have seized the moment and cemented their influence. Tehran and Moscow have not only resuscitated the Assad regime but have also bolstered their ability to further their interests across the Middle East. Russian-recruited Syrian mercenaries now fight in Libya, Moscow has courted U.S. allies in the Middle East and NATO members in Europe, and Iranian-backed militias have entrenched themselves within striking distance of Israel. However, a new U.S. administration has an opportunity to reverse this trend. As the regime is challenged by a crippling economic crisis, it is essential for the U.S. to capitalize on these circumstances and cohere NATO allies around a collective approach in Syria that will secure their interests and bolster regional security.