On Syria, the matter of Assad

Militants pointing Kalashnikovs at an image of Assad 

 The current development that has seen the United States of America pledge to coordinate activities with the Russian Federation with a view to finding a constructive solution to the 4-year old civil war in Syria, is put in perspective.

Russian troop build up in the country in spite of America's objections has led to an acceptance that Russia is in Syria to stay, and a lack of acknowledgement of this fact would most likely lead to a situation that serves to worsen rather than ameliorate the crises.

While the United States is grappling with the new reality of Russia's presence in Syria, a recurring question keeps interjecting itself into the conversation- the fate of President Assad.

The position of United States and the generality of the West is to declare that Assad has no place in a peaceful and secular Syria, whilst Russia's view on this is ambiguous at best.

As America does what amounts to the right thing under the current circumstances by agreeing to cooperate with Russia on the issue of Syria, it should be mindful of this ambiguity.

Due to the presence of ISIS, thousands of Syrians have either lost their lives or have been displaced by a war that has evolved beyond President Assad's conflict with the Syrian opposition. It is perhaps important that an acknowledgment of this be put front and center as the United States attempts to reach a meaningful accommodation with the Russians on the issue of Syria.

Failure to do this would lead to Russia wielding its ambiguity on the matter of Assad in a manner that delays respite for the millions of Syrians desperately in need of an end to this war.