US ambassador visits Hama, Syria - site of anti-Assad protests

An interesting move, to say the least.

This, to my recollection, is the first time a US Ambassador joins a demonstration for freedom in an Arab country and possibly anywhere around the world. This bold move also silenced the critics calling for his recall and I must admit I was one of those voices.

This is by far one of the cleverest moves undertaken by the US State Department. With the void the Syrian people feel having to battle the regime and its inclination for extreme violence, the Arab League whose silence is embarrassing (The AL is doomed after this), and most western nations lending lip service to our plight, the visit of Ambassador Ford will fill that void and all of the Syrian people will be looking for the US to save their country and help them plant the seeds of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

But it also could backfire if the US State Department and the Obama administration either reinforce the “reformist” demands on Assad instead of calling for his removal or stand by the MB openly and conclusively.