Trouble in Syria

Trouble in Syria

The uprisings during the Arab springs in Egypt and Libya were largely successful, Syria seems to be unsuccessful. There are many reasons, but the first is that many nations don't want to get involved. Although nearby countries are uncomfortable because the don't want refugees pouring through their borders, the US and UN seem to have their hands tied. Do these rebels deserve help? And from who?

The US doesn't want to get involved for a few reasons. The first is that we don't want to be stuck in the middle of another middle eastern conflict. We are finishing up in Iraq and we're still involved in Afghanistan, so there's no need to be heroic, we have nothing to prove. We also don't want to get involved in a revolution that the outcome isn't any clearer with our involvement than without. Our involvement in the Syrian uprising still makes a positive outcome an "if." That certainly doesn't make the risk of US lives worth it. The US and also the UN are held back by the interests of Russia and China. The UN can't make any real commitments with two large countries opposed, and the US doesn't want to step on their toes because we haven't been great friends with either country and they are both large world powers.

Although it wasn't clear at first, the Free Syrian Rebels are extremely violent and may not be able to put a successful government in place. In the US, it must bring back memories of the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem. The US involvement made things worse for our country by getting us sucked into a long unsuccessful war. Obama administration isn't looking to repeat history. The choice of how to respond or even if the US or UN should respond comes down to one question: which is the lesser evil? Would it be better to help rebels who, if they are successful, may be as repressive as the government in power now, or to let things play out on their own? The rebels have been reported to be responsible for civilian deaths, The difference between these Syrian rebels and those of Egypt and Libya is that the Syrians aren't innocent or helpless. They are becoming exactly what they are fighting against.

No other country should be involved in this conflict. When the rebels started taking civilian lives as collateral damage it became a bad idea for others to get involved. It almost made it more private, like a friend's family problems, and one really doesn't want to get involved. It also made the rebels look stronger almost as if they don't need the help. The fact that they are also as corrupted and immoral as their government turned away many countries because it would not improve any of the current issues. Syria and it's rebels will have to settle this one on it's own. Sources : http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/03/when-the-syrian-rebels-lose-their-halo/254842/ http://theweek.com/article/index/225817/are-syrian-rebels-just-as-cruel-as-assads-military http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9156307/Human-Rights-Watch-study-details-torture-and-executions-by-Syrian-rebels.html