CENTRAL CHALLENGES OF AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY, STRATEGY AND THE PRESS

(2013)
Case 1 S!"#a
T$% S&sa' R#(e, Na)#$'a* Se(&"#)! A+,#s$"
F"$-% ./ C$-#'s
Re% S!"#a' C"#s#s% C"$ss#'0 )1e Re+ L#'es (Se2)e-3e" 23, 2013)
Iss&e% Reassessing the strategic options following the use of chemical weapons by the al-Assad regime
against the Syrian population.
Na)#$'a* I')e"es)s% Vital% Ensure U.S. allies survival. Extremely Important% Prevent deter and reduce
the threat of the use of chemical weapons !"#$ anywhere% suppress terrorism. Important: &iscourage
massive human rights violations in foreign countries.
A'a*!s#s% 'he recent attac(s with "# add a )ualitative escalation to the Syrian crisis and cross the red
line established by President *bama. As the death toll appro+imates ,----- the increasing flow of
.&P and refugees !/01 of the total population$ continues and threatens to destabili2e (ey U.S. allies
and other neighboring countries. .t is a comple+ picture which is completed by a military stalemate
between loyalists to the Syrian regime and the opposition 3really fragmented not only in the
battlefield but also at the political level inside and outside the country. 'here are fears that e+tremist
groups affiliated to A4 and 5e2bollah 3very active so far ta(e advantage of the chaos and instability
to ac)uire weaponry and to establish terrorist safe havens.
O2e"a)#$'a* O34e()#,es% ,$ 5alt the massacre of the Syrian population% /$ Provide humanitarian
assistance% 6$ Prevent uncontrolled movement of chemical weapons around the region% 7$ Prevent the
formation of terrorist safe havens% 8$ 9ay the foundation for a peaceful and inclusive political process.
S)"a)e0#( O2)#$'s%
1) S&"0#(a* M#*#)a"! I')e",e')#$'/ :orming a broad international coalition% conducting limited stand-off
stri(es establishing buffer 2ones and control of chemical weapons% pursue and arrest President al-
Assad and his top leadership to be held liable by international crimes% negotiating the
establishment of a U; peace(eeping operation% build Arab and European support for the
implementation of the subse)uent political process. Pros< Reaffirms the credibility of the United
States before the international community% displays the American commitment to humanitarian
values% demonstrates strong defense of the U.S. strategic interests in the =iddle East. "ons<
Retaliatory attac(s and collateral damages% e+tremists could turn secured areas into operational
bases% opposition of public opinion% high impact on the U.S. national budget.
2) C$'+#)#$'a* D#2*$-a)#( Pa)1/ Urging immediate cessation of hostilities under the supervision of the
U; the Arab 9eague the U.S. Russia and the EU. Ratification of the "#" treaty elimination of the
Syrian chemical arsenal and its verification by the international community. Providing a peaceful
e+it for President al-Assad and his family outside the country. Appointing an interim president and
establishing a comprehensive political transition program to finish in free representative elections.
Pros< Respects international law% no military casualties% greater monitoring of the destination of
chemical weapons% lower financial cost than option >,. "ons< Slow pace% possibility of al-Assads
reluctance to leave the country% Syrian political oppositions lac( of unity.
3) A -$"e R$3&s) A()#$'/ .dentifying reliable opposition units. Supply lethal assistance and training.
Encouraging defections of senior politicians and high-ran( military officers. Pros< Supported by the
bipartisan ma?ority of the Senate :oreign Relations "ommittee% e+tremists could gain better access
to weaponry and other military capabilities. "ons< Escalation of violence% it does not guarantee
defeat of al-Assads forces% transformation of conflict into a sectarian pro+y war.
Re($--e'+a)#$' a'+ I-2*e-e')a)#$'% >/ "onditional &iplomatic Path as the best long-term
solution which emphasi2es the compromise with multilateralism assures a (ey role for the regional
actors and encourages burden sharing with the U.S. .t re)uires ta(ing the initial steps urging a cease-
fire as well as scanning a possible way out for the President al-Assad.