I’ve just watched the vice-presidential debate on CNN. I think both performed well in the said debate. I think both provided clear answers to the questions that were asked to them by their moderator. I believe both Biden and Ryan answered well my question about how the US should help the Syrian people gain freedom. Both Biden and Ryan believe that the sanctions against Syria will force the Assad regime to give way to democracy. Both running-mates believe that the US should work with its allies in forcing the Assad regime to resign from power. Both of them support the freedom-fighters in Syria and want them to succeed in their quest of liberating their country from the Assad-led dictatorship. Bidden believes that the US should be cautious on its dealing with the Syrian rebels because the Al Qaeda might take advantage of the ongoing conflict there. Bidden also believes that US troops should not be sent there because the conflict in Syria might escalate into a regional one if the US and the international community won’t be cautious in handling such situation. Ryan actually agrees with Bidden’s opinions regarding Syria. The only difference is that Ryan wants the US to clearly stand up with the freedom-fighters in Syria so that Assad can be overthrown from power. In short, Ryan seemingly wants the US to directly support and arm the Syrian rebels who are trying to overthrow the Assad regime.

I think both Bidden and Ryan are excellent debaters. They made their points clear about the ‘foreign-policy questions’ that were asked to them by the debate’s moderator. However, both Bidden and Ryan didn’t provide a ‘clear strategy’ on how to hasten the process of Mr. Assad resigning from power. They didn’t mention a strategic plan wherein the US and the international community can make an ultimatum for the Assad regime to stop slaughtering the Syrian people and resign from power. I was hoping that one or both of them will give out a specific strategy that could effectively help the Syrian people gain freedom at the soonest possible time. Bidden and Ryan didn’t provide such an answer. So, I hope that the would-be winner in the 2012 US presidential election will have a concrete and strategic plan to stop the Assad regime from slaughtering the Syrian people.

There should be an effective plan from US foreign-policy makers in how to force the Assad regime to resign from power. For instance, the US and the international community should issue an ultimatum to the Assad regime about its pursuance of genocidal policies against the Syrian people. If the Assad regime would reject the ultimatum, then a drastic response should be applied against the said regime. I believe that a partial or a total no-fly zone should be imposed by the international community on Syria if the Assad regime would continue slaughtering innocent civilians and cling on to power. I was hoping that either Bidden or Ryan or both would mention a drastic measure that would be considered by the US Government in case the Assad regime would cling on to power and continue oppressing the Syrian people.