The Heat discusses Syria and strategies

Refugee and Migrant Crisis

A group of Syrian opposition forces has rejected the UN’s proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the northern city of Aleppo. With the crisis threatening the region, refugees spilling into neighboring countries and the Islamic State threatening parts of Syria, does the West need to rethink its Syria strategy?

Certainty is a rare commodity when trying to assess the ongoing conflict in Syria. But what is clear is that after four years the situation has a long way to go. According to the United Nations millions are trapped in dire conditions. More than 12 million people need humanitarian assistance about half are children.

On the battlefield, the U.S.-backed rebel group Hazm dissolved following weeks of clashes with al-Qaeda which has been a setback to western efforts in the fight against jihadists.

And then earlier this month, a United Nations proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the city of Aleppo was rejected by a group of opposition forces, arguing that it failed to offer a comprehensive solution – one that excludes President Bashar al-Assad and his government.

CCTV’s Natalie Carney provided some background into the issue.

The Heat discussed this issue with an advisor to the Syrian Minister of Information, Reem Haddad in Damascus.

The discussion continued focusing on whether the West rethink its strategy in Syria with these experts:

  • Oubai Shahbandar, is a former senior advisor to the Syrian Opposition Coalition and former U.S. Defense Department analyst.
  • Colonel Gary Anderson is a retired 29-year veteran of the U.S. Marines. Colonel Anderson helped train Marine advisors to the Iraqi Army, and was a civilian advisor in both Iraq and Afghanistan.