Yes — Obama failed on Syria. And yes, it’s repercussions will be felt for years. But, as you note, there was no political appetite in America for a new war in the Middle East and the Republicans’ scorched earth strategy would have led them to oppose any intervention as part of their effort to undermine Obama at any cost. The Syrian people have paid a huge price for the fanaticism of the Republican Right and its refusal to support Obama on virtually any issue.