Readers React: Obama’s charting the right course in Syria: Stay out

To the editor: Doyle McManus’ column imploring President Obama to take action in Syria in opposition to Bashar Assad’s government is notable only for its lack of substance. (“Obama is pursuing two strategies in Syria. One is working, the other is not,” Opinion, May 1)

McManus’ proposed action is unstated, quietly validating the president’s position that there is no U.S. option that will lead to stability.

The U.S. has a long history in the region of military as well as covert action, all of which has produced results contrary to our national interests. If U.S. experience in the Middle East over the past 70 years has taught us anything, it is that our values and the religious zealotry of that area are incompatible.

McManus’ half-baked demand for action is a path to failure and misery in a region already saturated with both.

Eric Carey, Arlington, Va.

..

To the editor: McManus’ column fails to include the most attractive compromise.

Obama should accept simultaneously negotiating both the period leading to the replacement of the Assad government and the methods of proceeding then to a transition government and finally to a unity government.

Surely peace among the Syrians must be preferable to killing each other during negotiations if both the pace and the methods of transition are negotiable.

Leroy Miller, West Hills

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