UAE- Daesh Assad live to fight another day as world dithers: paper

ABU DHABI 29th November 2015 (WAM) -- A UAE paper has said that no one is convinced about the other's intentions so intelligence is being shared for the wrong reasons or with the wrong parties.

"They talk in different voices and act in different ways" said the Khaleej Times in an editorial on Sunday.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'stab in the back' comment is met with Turkish President Erdogan's 'playing with fire' retort after a Russian plane is shot down by the Turks. Stung by Daesh attacks in the heart of Paris France is doing its own thing in Syria with renewed air raids on terrorist positions and ammunition dumps. US President Obama meanwhile is staying away from a fight or from joining a coalition against terrorists in Syria. Saudi Arabia wants Syrian President Assad to go first as it focuses its energies on Yemen.

"The ouster of the Houthi rebels backed by Iran is the immediate priority for Gulf nations. A conflict of interests is raging among world powers delaying an end to the conflict in Syria that has claimed 250000 lives so far. Clearly there's a lack of commitment in the fight against terrorism emanating out of Syria. The UN has been found wanting and has done little to combine global firepower to save Syria though it's still not late for the body to galvanise forces for the country.

"This has given Daesh a new lease of life as it spreads its brand of terror across the world. The group has fanned out to Paris Beirut and Mali. Though France and the US speak about sharing intelligence there's little to show on the ground by way of successes. This is a long-drawn out unconventional conflict. At one level there is a war against an extremist ideology that has found its way into society. This should be fought online and in the real world. At another level there is the military aspect. This has to be fought in Syria and on the streets of every major city and town in the world. But the main players appear to be shooting in different directions.

"A common surveillance and intelligence gathering mechanism that can save lives is yet to emerge. More importantly this intelligence should be shared swiftly by all concerned parties in a transparent manner. This is not happening because of divergent interests between the West and the Russia coalition - the allies and the axis powers. Rising trust deficit and a lack of joint commitment is hurting the fight against Daesh.

"There is no consensus on how to hit back at any level. No one is convinced about the other's intentions so intelligence is being shared for the wrong reasons or with the wrong parties. When President Putin alleges that the Americans shared details of the downed plane with the Turks he's touching a raw nerve. Suspicions run deep and all players in this conflict are in it for their own reasons.

"This has given President Assad room for manoeuvre with the international community. It edges him closer to the legitimacy he desires. Daesh also has reason to continue its bloody existence while it plunders an ancient civilization and slaughters thousands for the sake of an evil apocalyptic ideology.

"The world watches in shock and horror some are moved to tears by the plight of ordinary Syrians trapped in the strife. But unless powers and superpowers come under the UN banner to take cohesive coordinated action that includes sharing intelligence followed by air strikes and sending in joint forces Syria will slide deeper into the abyss" concluded the daily.