I have a number of links on this GD thread re Syria

[karynnj]

7. I think they prove - as BLM has admirably posted - that Kerry

Last edited Sat Aug 31, 2013, 06:32 PM - Edit history (1)

tried his best to move Assad away from supporting Iran and Hezbollah and to make reforms in his own government. Had this succeeded we would not be at this point - and no one would remember (except a very few people) that John and Teresa had this dinner and that they helped.

At the time he did this, he knew if was a long shot - and he knew some would attack him, but it was the right thing to do. Given that we now know the consequences of Assad NOT changing, I think it can be proven that Kerry made the right decision to do this -even if the chance of success was 1 in a million. The cost of his effort was almost nothing - we gave no concessions or "goodies"

I remember that when Wikileaks cables came out, the Boston Globe immediately analyzed those involving Kerry. Almost uniquely, he came out very well. The conclusion - his private comments were consistent with public ones.