High-level defection in Syria's civil war

This transcript is automatically generated

-- gears completely a major development to tell you about in serious civil war with one of the highest level defections to date as the general of the country's military police.

Announces he's switching sides and joining the opposition.

This has been nearly two year old uprising against president -- Shows no signs of slowing down the bloody conflict already blamed -- tens of thousands of deaths.

Lieutenant colonel Ralph Peters is a Fox News strategic analyst and he joins us now with a little more insight on this how significant is this defection.

Well it is significant.

It's not gonna by itself topple the regime.

It's a real pump propaganda victory.

For the rebels it tells us all that the last rats are deserting the sinking ship.

You'll have really important information because in the Syrian military role in the military police is different than ours.

The military police in Syria among other things they're really good -- that any enforcers.

Because stop what they're behind the other soldiers.

Making sure the other soldiers don't deserve.

-- the people they're told to kill.

So this guy lieutenant general Abdul -- -- Shalala is a real battle number he's a real insider and so bottom line won't.

And things by itself -- -- it does matter.

Now -- down this all began roughly about 21 minutes 21 months ago.

With people protest seeing asking for reforms it turned into this civil war estimates now put about 40000 people dead.

Our -- it carry any closer to the civil war being resolved.

Well actually we're closer to a -- being gone.

That because.

The rest of the world has refused to get its hands -- There's a good chance that these civil war.

Against a solid he's -- turned into another civil war between more secular elements.

And the Jihad.

And the great mistake the Obama administration -- administration may.

And it's a tragic mistake we will pay port for decades to come.

Is that by not helping.

The original freedom fighters who were secular western oriented by and large.

We opened the door.

For this flood of cheap holidays and terrorists that are -- the fight -- on.

And those terrorists don't want democracy and freedom they are determined to establish an Islamic state so a song's gonna go one way or the other.

But that will not result serious problems or other regions.

And also should note -- in addition to the defection that military police general Heather a real development.

It kind of stepped under the radar over Christmas was lost can change gets -- it's been a real supporter of these syrup the -- the UN.

And something Moscow seemed to be seeing an assault on the way out they can't save him.

They're saying well it's OK given asylum but -- is not gonna -- asylum.

And it seems to me that the -- the Russians are sending signals now.

To the opposition.

That let's talk because the Russians with the white Russians -- in there they want to keep their number one -- Arab allies a slot he's going.

Now they just want to keep the naval base in targets so.

The bottom line here is -- there are so many lawyers.

And rival factions national -- international.

That's serious can be a problem for years to.

And -- also saying that their policies will no longer be tied to a specific family life or name and that being key as well.

I want to ask you in these final moments your thoughts on what's going on in Egypt right now and and how -- is affecting the rest of the Middle East.

Well it's affecting the rest of the Middle East because it gets even more momentum to the islamists -- In this referendum which was a put up job.

The Muslim Brotherhood want.

They claimed 64%.

Although only 30% of egyptians voted in the referendum on the constitution.

But the bottom line is once Islamist get power they do not want to give it up and it's interesting to me as an Americans C.

How the Muslim Brotherhood won and why they want because they don't necessarily have a national majority.

But they are the best organized.

They've got all the Islamic acorn type organizations that can turn out the base in the fringe members of society.

And so they are really using a western twelve elections.

Western electioneering techniques to establish a distinctly anti western regime in Egypt.

So Egypt's going to be a problem for years -- as well but not to the violent degree of Syria that.

This the Obama administration is gonna go down in history of having screwed up more opportunities in the Middle East.

That any administration.

In our past and there's adequate to end our segment on thank you so much for joining us colonel -- we appreciate your attack as always.

Happy saint Stephen's day.

Watch Live

High-level defection in Syria's civil war

Details

Clips

Latest News

Tea Party group sues IRS for political profiling

Justice Dept. seizes Fox News' phone records

Issa: I was aware of IG IRS findings last year

Okla. Gov. Fallin: We're strong and we'll rebuild

House of Scandals: Where was Obama?

Survivor says 'I just count it as a loss'

Rudy Giuliani says DOJ spying is 'totally unethical'

Degree of devastation: Oklahoma tries to move forward

Jodi Arias jury deliberates death penalty

Hollywood Nation: Chester pulls double duty

Reaction to DOJ targeting FNC's James Rosen

Obama pledges help for Oklahoma twister victims

Transcript

Recommended