by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – President Obama defended his shift policy with Syria over the past two weeks in an interview with George Stephanopoulos.  He commented that style was not the critical factor in his decisions. Good policy was.

The President’s comments, which aired Sunday on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos,” suggested that the current policy of allowing Syria to voluntarily disarm would not preclude a future use of military action.  However, President Obama said a diplomatic solution might end the Syrian Civil War without the need for US intervention.

President Obama accepted criticism that his shifts in policy lacked style, but also criticized Washington for its propensity to “grade on style.”  He drew a comparison to early support for the Iraq War, saying Washington would likely praise a policy that “was very smooth, disciplined, and linear” even if it were a substantive disaster.

While the President conceded his plan lacked style, he explained that there has been progress in negotiations with Syria over the past two weeks, citing as examples Syria’s willingness to join the Chemical Weapons Convention and turn over their current stockpiles to international control.  “If that goal is achieved, then it sounds to me like we did something right,” he remarked.

 

When the conversation shifted to Iran, the President remarked that a nuclear arms race in the Middle East hits closer to the “core values” of the US than chemical weapons in Syria.  He cautioned Iran not to look at the use of diplomatic measures in Syria as an indication that the US would not make military strikes against a “nuclear Iran.”

While speaking on Iran, President Obama revealed that he and Hassan Rouhani, the newly elected President of Iran, have exchanged letters in an effort to reach out.  Rouhani is expected to usher in a more conciliatory foreign policy, already giving authority to his foreign minister to discuss their nuclear program with the US.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Obama says Iran nuclear row ‘larger’ than Syria crisis – 15 September 2013

ABC News – Obama Rejects Criticism of Shifting Syria Policy: ‘I’m Less Concerned About Style Points’ – 15 September 2013

The LA Times – Obama defends deal with Russia on Syria, says it could end war – 15 September 2013

The Guardian – Kerry insists Syria strikes still an option as Obama defends deal with Russia – 15 September 2013

Fox News – Obama defends Syria policy, says Washington too ‘style’ conscious – 15 September 2013