My must read of the day is "Treading Water on Syria," by the editorial board of the New York Times:
Nearly three years after the fighting began, many of the most dire predictions about Syria’s civil war have come true. The conflict has not only engulfed the country, killing more than 130,000 people and forcing more than nine million civilians out of their homes. Increasingly, it has metastasized across the region, destabilizing neighboring countries and serving as a magnet for militants, or would-be militants, including some from the United States.
The war has become exceedingly complicated, compounding the bitter rivalry between Saudi Arabia, a Sunni-majority state that is a major backer of Sunni rebels seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, and Shiite-led Iran, Mr. Assad’s top supporter. And there is no indication that the United States or any other power has the influence to bring it to an end. The prospects for a peace conference planned for Jan. 22 in Switzerland are not encouraging. Just getting all sides to the table will not be enough, and even that looks doubtful.
There were more than enough reasons for us to have been there three years ago, and we should have been involved in Syria in some manner.
The terrorism, regional stability, the threats to our national security, and the humanitarian costs all make it impossible for me to understand why anyone who pays attention to the news contends Syria isn’t important to American interests.
Had we done something three years ago, when there were clear moderates, the United States could have controlled the situation and had a viable proxy fighting against the Assad regime. Our reluctance provided the opportunity for al Qaeda to step in. Because we chose to avoid the situation there's an even bigger mess. Despite what we may wish, we will have to deal with it eventually, because everything happening there will affect the United States.
The idea that Syria may permanently become a safe haven for terrorists is a threat in itself, and it's one we've seen play out in Somalia and Pakistan.
When it comes to Syria, we've made a mistake. One that becomes increasingly apparent every day.