Diplomat Jim Patterson and Obama/Kerry on "the Problem of Syria"

Dear James: Thank you for writing.  What started off as peaceful demonstrations by the Syrian people has become a devastating civil war, breeding human suffering on an order of magnitude that has affected the whole world.  Russia and Iran have continued to prop up Syria’s brutal dictator Bashar al‑Assad despite his rejection by a majority of the Syrian people.  Hundreds of thousands have been killed, millions have fled for their lives, and terrorist groups like ISIL are exacerbating the strife.  My Administration has supported a political transition away from the Assad regime, worked to alleviate human suffering, and gone after terrorist groups that threaten the United States and our allies and partners. The human cost of this conflict is evident, captured in searing images of Syrians killed by their own government, refugees waiting at border crossings, and children drowned trying to escape war.  Helping those who have been pushed to the margins of our world is a matter of collective security, and we have a moral responsibility to assist families forced from their homes.  In response to this humanitarian crisis, the United States has stepped up as the largest donor of assistance, providing over $5.9 billion in aid since the start of the conflict and increasing the number of refugees we admit. Together with a coalition of more than 60 countries, we have focused on degrading and ultimately destroying the threat posed by ISIL.  However, we know that a long-term solution requires finding an end to the war in Syria, which is not possible as long as Assad remains in power.  With our partners around the world, we have supported moderate Syrians and pressured the regime’s international backers—including Russia and Iran—to work toward an inclusive political transition to a new government that can stop the fighting, unify Syrians, and allow them to rebuild their lives.  There are no easy answers to this conflict and no military solution that can eliminate the suffering.  We must continue pushing for full access to humanitarian relief until a political settlement can be reached. Thank you, again, for writing.  To learn about how you can help those affected by this crisis, visit www.AidRefugees.gov. Sincerely, Barack Obama From The Aspen Institute: For the eighth year, the nation's thought leaders, elected officials, experts, and innovators arrived at the Washington Ideas Forum for tough and dynamic conversations with moderators from the Institute's partners at The Atlantic.  Secretary of State John Kerry: "I make no apology for trying to reach out and find out if there is a way to achieve the political settlement that everybody agrees is the only way to solve the problem of Syria. You find people constantly saying that there is no military solution. Well, if there is no military solution, what is the political solution? It's the job of the secretary of state and diplomats to try and do that, as tough as it may be. And it is tough."  Jim Patterson Note: Russia, Iran and Assad found a military solution to Allepo by bombing it into oblivion. More than 500,000 Syrians died while Obama/Kerry/Clinton wrote "tough" speeches and gave "tough" presentations about "the problem of Syria." The loss of Syria, early withdrawal of US troops in Iraq which gave rise to ISIS, and the Benghazi tragedy are a total failure of US leadership. Americans voters had no confidence Hillary Clinton could effectively address or resolve any of these problems. Mr. Trump often told voters the US and the world were a mess due to Obama/Clinton and "what do you have to lose" by voting Trump. A vote for Trump was a vote for Big Change in the US and we now have it. Obama is not leaving without spreading more national and global division, violence and upheaval.   -30-  James Patterson  Life Member American Foreign Service Association  Member California and New York State Societies  Associate Member Korean War Veterans Association  Life Member Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America  Member Society of Historians of American Foreign Relations  Member American Israeli Public Affairs Committee Friend of Israeli Defense Forces Member US Philippine Society  Contributor Foreign Service Journal Life Member Republican National Committee Friend of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation    .