Is The U.S. Fearful Of A Rebel Victory In Syria?

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., April 17, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Aaron Hostutler

U.S. Fears Syria Rebel Victory, for Now -- Adam Entous and Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal

Administration Belief That Islamists Would Prevail Has Driven Efforts to Boost Moderate Fighters

WASHINGTON—Senior Obama administration officials have caught some lawmakers and allies by surprise in recent weeks with an amended approach to Syria: They don't want an outright rebel military victory right now because they believe, in the words of one senior official, that the "good guys" may not come out on top.

Administration officials fear that with Islamists tied to al Qaeda increasingly dominating the opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , too swift a rebel victory would undercut hopes for finding a diplomatic solution, according to current and former officials. It would also shatter national institutions along with what remains of civil order, these people say, increasing the danger that Syrian chemical weapons will be used or transferred to terrorists.

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My Comment: I am shaking my head .... it appears that the White House is confident that they will be able to micromanage the Syrian civil war. More to the point .... when the U.S. Defense Secretary makes statements like this .... that is when you know that the U.S. really has no strategy or plan on what to do with Syria .... all that they now have are their own hopes.

But .... U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagel is probably right about this point .... Pentagon chief warns that war in Syria could be ‘lengthy and uncertain’.

Update: More evidence that there is no leadership from the White House on Syria .... Top Obama Officials Differ on Syrian Rebels in Testimony to Congress.