Syrian confusion

SIR — The United Nations (UN) chose to apply bandages to the festering ulcer that is the Syrian crisis. Will that solve the problem?

No one is asking the important questions about the real causes of the current bloodshed. Will the Russians’ involvement in the war mean Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s atrocities in gassing his own people are forgiven? What is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s main agenda?

As for Islamic State, is Turkey the brains behind its destructive campaigns? Is the Turkish government helping Islamic State? To me, who looked up to Turkey during the “Arab Spring”, this would be a disappointment. Who are the funders of Islamic State? Is it getting funding from the same Gulf states who have closed their doors to the refugees? Why has no action been taken against Islamic State funders? Turkey and the Gulf states must state their positions on Islamic State and Syria.

The Syrian crisis has exposed the irrelevance of the current UN structures in tackling global conflicts. I feel sorry for Germany, which offered leadership, first in the Greece economic crisis, and must now find shelter for Syrian refugees. It is a pity Germany’s kindness is abused by people who pretend to be refugees. The UN must help Germany.

Dr Lucas Ntyintyane Cresta