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The UN's Unworkable Plan for Syria
(Washington Post) Editorial - After the UN Security Council endorsed a six-point diplomatic plan for Syria by former secretary general Kofi Annan on Wednesday, U.S. ambassador Susan Rice said, "Annan's proposal is the best way to put an end to the violence, facilitate much-needed humanitarian assistance and advance a Syrian-led political transition." In fact, there is virtually no possibility that the new initiative will accomplish any of those aims. Instead, it will likely provide time and cover for the Assad regime to continue using tanks and artillery to assault Syrian cities and indiscriminately kill civilians. The Assad regime has no intention of capitulating. For the Obama administration, Annan's mission allows the illusion that its diplomatic strategy is producing results - and that more decisive measures, such as arming the opposition or creating a protected zone inside Syria, are unnecessary. The Annan mission guarantees that the bloodshed will continue, and probably worsen.