As President Barack Obama enters his second term, Syria has become the most urgent test of his foreign policy leadership and style.

If Obama finally takes ownership of the effort to unseat Bashar al-Assad (which would not require U.S. troops or planes), there’s still a chance of preventing a Syrian implosion. If the administration leads from in front, it may be possible to head off a strategic disaster that would endanger Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Israel.

Yet early signs indicate Obama will continue the muddled Syria policy of his first term, while continuing to lead from way, way behind.

[link to www.postbulletin.com]