WASHINGTON (AP) — By President Barack Obama’s own admission, U.S. efforts to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad have been pushed to the back burner. And the bombing campaign against Islamic State militants could ultimately help the embattled leader stay in power.
In a weekend interview, Obama said the U.S. has a “more immediate concern” than Assad’s grip on power.
Even before U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State group began this month, the White House focus on getting Assad out of power had hit roadblocks. While the White House continues to call for the Syrian leader to leave and has condemned his actions in a three-year civil war, diplomatic negotiations to oust Assad have largely stalled, and Obama has shown no appetite for using military power to achieve that goal.
