Syrian government soldiers drive an anti aircraft armored vehicle in Al-Hajar al-Aswad, Syria, on April 22. (Stringer/AFP/Getty Images)

As reported in the April 18 news article “Saudi Arabia says it’s open to sending troops to Syria as U.S. draws down,” we have yet to find a good approach to Syria. Saudi troops alone are not likely to do the job and bring peace. A broad diplomatic option is better than adding troops seen as partisan. The key is not only finding a diplomatic approach but also creating reality on the ground that forces compromise.

Those with force on the ground can ignore diplomacy until external strong nonmilitary leverage affects the other key actors, including the Assad regime, Russia, Iran and Turkey. We need the strongest sanctions against Russia and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Mr. Assad must go; his remaining in power almost surely means more deadly conflict unless we can maintain creditable multilateral forces to prevent more killing. A cease-fire agreement that is enforceable is required. If we can’t act, we will be held responsible for the continuing chaos. If Mr. Assad and Russia think they can kill with impunity, all is lost.

As for the United States, President Trump’s about-face on Syria only proves that he has no real strategy, and he signaled his true colors in reversing the decision to increase sanctions on Russia and stopping bombing that had no real impact on killing. Sadly, Mr. Trump showed subservience to Russian President Vladimir Putin and indicated he won’t do anything real about mass killings unless he is forced to do so.

Harry C. Blaney III, Washington

The writer, a retired Foreign Service officer, is senior fellow at the Center for International Policy.