We can civilly discuss how to further refine modify humanitarian exceptions under the Caesar Law. But what we cannot do is create revisionist history and allow the regime to convince everyone that the tragedy we see today in Syria is a result of Caesar or Western sanctions.

The Syrian government has been - long before 2011 - one of the most corrupt regimes, confiscating property and forcing any foreign investors to benefit the regime's oligarchy - as I said, long before 2011. The reason Syria's doctors fled, the reason Syria's children will

struggle for decades to come is not due to Caesar but to the deliberate targeting of human life, of medical workers, of brave people who wanted to live a life of dignity. So we can all argue today whether or not more sanctions will actually pressure Assad (or more likely his

allies) to come back to a humane method of resolving this conflict (the negotiating table) - that is a fair discussion. But what we cannot do is disrespect the tragic history we have watched unfold in Syria over the last 10 years. A history of a noble people who wanted more than

to have the Assad family & the ruling elite's boot over their necks for eternity. For that, really, no one should blame them for.