It is difficult as of late to find a headline that is not about the US’s potential strike on Syria for the regime’s use of chemical weapons. The Obama administration has been pushing for a strike. The American people are not in support of this war, after two decade long wars have dragged out in Afghanistan and Iraq. CNN Ed Payne wrote that the American people have a “War weariness” and that three quarters of Americans say that “United States doesn’t need to be the ‘world policeman.” Looking at the situation, what happens if the US does react, and if it doesn’t, this situation could risk long-term negative consequences if the US were to take action on its own without the support of the international community. The US should not strike Syria.
This is a similar line of reasoning the US had for not wanting Cuba to become communist, that the rest of the countries in the region would follow suit. The fact is, the Arab world already is mistrustful of the US and it’s policy after two recent wars against Arab countries, and the US risks too much, might create more terrorists who want to attack our country, if we strike Syria.
Currently, Russia has proposed a solution that might appease the US’s demand to not tolerate chemical weapons and avoid US conflict. Jonathan Weisman from the New York Times wrote that “The white house said it would explore a Russian plan to avert military action against Syria” (Weismann, 2013). The BBC writes that the US was committed to a strike, but the Russian resolution has now given the Obama administration an “alternative path” to dealing with the situation. Currently this is the best plan, it sends a strong message in the international community, without risking future negative consequences.
Works Cited:
"BBC News - Syria conflict: Disputes flare over UN resolution." BBC - Homepage. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24040659>.
"Possible Syria strike: 5 things to pay attention to today - CNN.com." CNN.com International - Breaking, World, Business, Sports, Entertainment and Video News. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. <http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/10/world/meast/syria-5-things-to-look-for/index.html>.
"U.S. to Work Through U.N. on Syria Arms Proposal - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/world/middleeast/syrian-chemical-arsenal.html?hp>.
