The Syrian Conflict

Almost 2 weeks after the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its own citizens, the United States is considering military action.  President Obama announced yesterday that he will seek approval from congress for what he calls limited military action. 

 

There are many concerns about taking military action.  First, the American public is feed-up with ongoing military actions in the Middle East.  Second, Americans fear retaliation from extremist for further involvement in foreign wars.  Then, there is the concern over the outcome.  What are the objectives of the strike?  President Obama said that the strikes will not target Bashar al-Assad.  If Assad will remain in power, then what will the strikes accomplish?  Americans fear that the strikes will do little to help the innocent civilians but will only increase tension between the United States and Russia/China. 

Americans are outraged over the use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians.  It was heartbreaking seeing images of young children struggling to survive from their injuries after the attack.  The US is called upon to come to the aid of other countries over and over again.  Americans are starting to get feed-up with its leaders getting involved in conflicts without consulting the American people.  This is why President Obama decided to get the approval of Congress before acting. 

President Obama is taking a big risk by consulting Congress.  If Congress votes down military action and President Obama takes action anyway, it will be political suicide for him and the Democratic Party.  President Obama has gotten himself into this situation by claiming that chemical weapons are a “Red Line” that will bring about US involvement.  If the US does not act, then no future threat of action will be taken serious. 

The biggest risk of all is that Congress votes to take military action but nothing changes…or things get worse.  What if a more ruthless group takes power of Syria because the US eliminated the current governments’ stronghold?  These are unknown answers.  One thing for sure is that the US has a tuff dilemma ahead. 

 
Regardless of what the US decides, I am hopeful that the innocent people of Syria will someday be able to live in peace.