According to an AP report, President Barack Obama may authorize the shipment of new air defense systems to rebel forces in Syria. Citing an unnamed US official, the AP says Obama is considering the idea of sending man-portable air-defense systems, also known as MANPADs, to Syrian opposition groups by way of employing new ways to put pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and boost the opposing rebels, who have lost ground in the conflict over the last few months. The move would mark a notable shift compared to the White House's past statements.
Officials then said the US would send anti-tank rockets and humanitarian aid to the opposition, but noted MANPADs – portable missile-launchers – would not be part of the package, due to fears they could land in extremist hands and potentially be used to take down commercial airliners.
But if authorized now, the MANPAD shipments could be made by Saudi Arabia, where Obama is currently meeting with King Abdullah. Disappointed by Obama's decision to step back from striking Syria last year, the Saudis have been urging the US to authorize such assistance since early this year.
According to the AP report, the president's possible rethinking of the situation is due to "the greater understanding the U.S. now has about the composition of the Syrian rebels," presumably referring to the belief that moderate rebels have fortified their position against radical groups like the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra group.
At the same time, the unnamed official said Obama is still worried about the consequences of escalating a conflict that's dragged beyond three years with no clear end in sight.
Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst and current foreign policy advisor to Obama with the Brookings Institution, believes that the rebels lack the organization and weapons to defeat Assad; the regime lacks loyal manpower to suppress the rebellion, while both sides' external allies are ready to supply enough money and arms to fuel the stalemate for the foreseeable future.
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