US frustration as its hegemony declines
The Syrian authorities opted to hold a presidential election on June 3. Bashar al Assad isone of the three candidates. The international media generally assume that there is nodoubt that Bashar al-Assad will win re-election. In spite of public discontent with thecurrent situation and a desire for change, the essence of the Syria crisis is that foreignforces have tried to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs, provoking a civil war in an attemptto overthrow the Syrian government.
The US President Barack Obama announced on August: “The rule of Bashar al-Assad haslost its legitimacy and he must step down.” However, far from falling, Bashar al-Assad hassecured another three years in power, for many reasons. Most importantly, the UnitedStates has made no direct military strikes against Syria. Why did the U.S. military decidenot to wield the big stick this time?
