Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at the 2017 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference held at the Verizon Center in Washington, Monday, March 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
The United States’s policy in Syria is no longer focused on overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, told reporters on Thursday.
“You pick and choose your battles and when we’re looking at this, it’s about changing up priorities and our priority is no longer to sit there and focus on getting Assad out,” Reuters quoted Haley as saying. “Do we think he’s a hindrance? Yes. Are we going to sit there and focus on getting him out? No.”
This statement was a strong departure from the long-term policy of the Ombama administration towards the Syrian conflict.
Indeed, this statement confirms the fact that the new US administration understands its limited capabilities in Syria. However, this does not guarantee that it’s really ready to negotiate any kind of peaceful solution of the conflict acceptable for all involved sides.
Unfortunately, the previous US administration has repeatedly shown that any public statements and even papers cost nothing while there is no deal implement on the ground.
