PM backs Trump’s new Syria policy over Bishop and Assad

And will Julie and Rex Tillerson bond over their shared backing of an Assad solution?

Malcolm says Bashar Al-Assad has to go. Port Moresby, Saturday:

If President Assad sought to have a continuing role after a political settlement, his criminal, horrendous actions — gassing his own people, women and children, babies — that surely disqualifies him from a continuing role.

Julie Bishop thinks Mal should just get to know Bashar, he’s actually an okay dude. ABC’s RN Breakfast, Thursday:

Our view has always been that Assad must be part of the solution. He must be transitioned out rather than it be a precondition that he must go.

Julie doesn’t really like Bashar but he’s a mate of a mate. Bishop speaking in London, February 23:

It’s also clear that President Assad will be part of the transition. The pre-condition that Assad must go has been a condition in place for some time but most countries have moved on from that … There’s a recognition that President Assad, backed by Russia, will have to be part of a transition and how long he remains will be a matter of negotiation.

Bishop thinks we should just ask Russia and Iran to help Bashar get back on the right path. ABC’s RN Breakfast, Thursday:

... the first step would be to pressure those who are supporting the regime — that is, Russia and Iran — to prevent the Assad regime from continuing.

Because they’ve been so helpful recently ... News.com.au, Saturday:

... the Russian military said it will help Syria beef up its air defences.

Nope. The Prime Minister really wants Bashar out. Port Moresby, Saturday:

The crimes he has committed against his own people are so enormous and, of course now, so recent it is difficult to see how a political solution can be crafted that has him with a continuing role.

Julie says everything’s cool, nothing to see here. The PM has definitely not unravelled her months-long position on Syria and Assad. Speaking to Primrose Riordan in The Weekend Australian, Saturday:

The government’s position has not changed and we support the investigation that is currently under way …

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has the same problem as Julie. Tillerson speaking at President Trump’s Florida resort, Thursday:

I would not in any way attempt to extrapolate that to a change in our policy ... in Syria today.

But Rex, you said Bashar was totally cool. The Secretary of State speaking in Turkey, March 30:

I think the longer term status of President Assad will be decided by the Syrian people.

And now your mate, UN ambassador Nikki Haley, wants the US to totally block him out. CNN’s State of the Union, yesterday:

There’s not any sort of option where political solution is going to happen with Assad at the head of the regime ... it’s going to be hard to see a government that’s peaceful and stable with Assad.

But surprise, surprise ... Nikki Haley has done a JBish on Syria too. Speaking in New York, March 30:

You pick and choose your battles ... our priority is no longer to sit there and focus on getting Assad out.

To be fair, their boss hasn’t been too consistent either ... Donald J Trump on Twitter, September 25, 2013:

... DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA — IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN ...