What’s Happening In Syria?

Hello! Welcome to my blog.

We’re living in tough times, what with impending war and the economy being what it is. I’m sure most of you are aware that the United States and its allies are preparing for a possible strike against Syria. I understand that what’s happening there is important and affects all of us. I also know that this subject is complex and may be confusing for some people.

I’m not a journalist or even a very political person for that matter, but I’ve been following this story. In today’s blog post, I am going to share my thoughts and opinions on this subject. The entire issue is confusing, and my hope is that in the process of sharing my thoughts, I will help at least one person to better understand what’s going on. However, I encourage you to do your own reading and research and develop your own views on the matter.

Syria is a country in the Middle East. It’s about the size of Washington State. The country is currently in the middle of an intense and bloody civil war. So far, the fighting between government and rebel forces has resulted in the death of over one hundred thousand people, as well as two million refugees, half of them children.

The question of why the people of Syria are killing each other is quite complicated and confusing, especially for citizens of the United States, since we are used to being able to speak our minds freely.

The killing started in April of 2011, when peaceful protestors emerged to confront Syria’s monstrous dictator, Bashar al-Assad, who first responded by secretly ordering the deaths of certain activists. When the protests continued, government forces began kidnapping, raping, torturing and killing anyone suspected of being an activist, along with their family members, including many children. Mutilated bodies were dumped on roadsides as a warning to those who would oppose the government, presumably with the intention of instilling fear in any future protestors. Soon troops began to open fire on protestors, killing people at random. Eventually, civilians began to retaliate, and the fighting escalated into a civil war.

Syria’s Dictator Assad

So you’re probably asking yourself why are we butting our nose into the affairs of another country? Syria’s dictator Assad used chemical warfare against civilians in his own country. This is a no-no when it comes to the laws that govern the world, and this is where our involvement began. If President Obama and the USA were to allow Assad to get away with using chemical warfare in his own country, what’s to say he or some other dictator would not use chemical warfare on one of our allies—or against us, for that matter?

Chemical Weapon Mask

Then there’s the issue of Russia.

Russia is Syria’s greatest ally. Moscow impedes the United Nations Security Council from imposing any sanctions that might go against the Assad regime. The United States might have to bypass the United Nations in order to take any action against Syria and the Assad regime. Meanwhile, Russia sends many weapons to Syria, which facilitates more killing of civilians.

Why would Russia want to protect a fiend like Assad? According to the Washington Post, there are a couple of substantial reasons. Russia has a naval installation in Syria, and any “international intervention” against countries like Syria is seen as a threat to Russia. In addition, Syria buys many Russian military exports, and Russia needs the money.

Although the United States wants to help the rebels, our country is in a complicated position. For instance, if we offer assistance by shipping arms, the weapons could fall into the hands of jihadists and lead to major chaos.

What if we were to send in Navy Seals to take out Assad? Again, that would only empower jihadists and possibly cause a second civil war. How about air strikes? Yeah, that worked real well in Iraq (hint of sarcasm). A ground invasion would only cost more lives—both American soldiers and Syrian civilians—and our list of enemies would increase significantly around the world.

Navy Seals – Badass

The solution advocated by the Obama administration is for the Assad regime and the rebels to develop a peace treaty. However, there has been too much rancor between the dictator and the rebels, and there hasn’t been any indication that either party wants to resolve this peacefully. I believe this will not happen, and I think the US government also knows it will not happen, but they have to at least try for a peaceful political solution before they use a military one.

However, and this is where it gets perplexing for me, the Obama administration has not sugar-coated the fact they want to launch cruise missiles at Syria to teach Assad a lesson for using chemical warfare against the rebels and civilians in his country. Maybe someone can clarify this for me, but wouldn’t firing missiles at Syria cause more harm to civilians? I mean, Assad would probably be well-protected in some bunker along with his minions. Civilians would be the ones getting killed and maimed out in the open. Now, if you were to tell me that those missiles would be directed at Assad’s house when he was least expecting them, then I would agree that it’s a great idea, but otherwise what’s the point?

I understand that something needs to be done about this ruthless dictator, but I truly hope the Obama administration thinks of something that doesn’t involve sidestepping the United Nations, making enemies with Russia, increasing anti-Americanism around the world, and killing civilians in Syria.

I wouldn’t want to be in President Obama’s shoes at this time.

President Barack Obama