Syria is a disaster of the West’s own making. At no point will I argue that we should have intervened with conventional American ground forces. However, our foreign policy ineptitude greatly exacerbated the problems in Syria.

For instance, we lost all credibility when we failed to enforce our ‘red line’. At one time, our leadership said that Bashar Al-Assad had to go. Now, he can stay.

The waves of immigrants flowing into Europe are a direct result of our incoherent and incompetent Syria strategy.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously on House Concurrent Resolution 75 calling the ongoing crisis a genocide yet they have done nothing to alleviate the suffering of millions.

Syria has become a safe haven and base of operations for terrorists who wish to attack the United States.

The Russians are increasing their presence in the country and marginalizing our efforts at implementing a lasting peace.

The recent ceasefire allows “Russia and its allies to impose a political vision for ending the conflict that suits their interests.”

There are only two possible outcomes to the ceasefire.

1. It will not last.

2. Russia will get exactly what it wants, to the detriment of stability and peace in the region.

It is time to take the Syrian conflict seriously.

We can start with these steps immediately, despite the ceasefire:

1. Implement a no-fly zone over all contiguous Kurdish territory in Iraq and Syria.

2. Begin shipping armaments to the Kurds directly, bypassing Baghdad entirely.

3. Recognize a free and independent Kurdistan.

4. Negotiate and sign a status of forces agreement with the new Kurdish government. This will provide a reliable and secure base of operations in the Middle East.

5. Oversee a massive infusion of humanitarian and financial aid to the Jordanians.

6. Begin targeted strikes in ISIS controlled territory using available resources.

If we don’t do this, we jeopardize the security and stability of the entire region. Further, we will continue to see a massive migration of refugees and a continuing terrorist threat to the American homeland.