Reflection 5

I was in my dorm’s lounge the other day when I overheard a conversation about whether or not the US should intervene in Syria. By listening to both sides of the argument, I realized that I (and these peers) really had no idea how the world could be affected by Western intervention. I had a difficult time formulating an opinion on what role the US should play in the crisis, so I decided to do a little research and put some of the information together as my weekly reflection.

If we don’t intervene:

-The crisis may turn into an ethnic cleansing civil war

-A failed state in Syria is likely to spill over into Iraq and Lebanon and send refugees to Turkey and other neighbors
-It will intensify a proxy war between Saudi Arabia, its Gulf allies and Iran

-Would create a fundamentalist threat to Israel’s sense of security
-Continued loss of Syrian life

If we do:

-Loss of life with US troops

-Depleting resources and funds

-We don’t know the Syrian opposition and military insurgency

-What follows might be worse- how will we put an effective, practical, fair government?

-We’d be opposing Iran and Russia (who are providing fighters and weapons, respectively)

-Could lead to regional instability

-The destruction of the Assad regime could in turn lead to weakened Iranian leadership, further democracy in the Middle East, and help Iraq achieve democracy

Consensus: I think the US absolutely needs to do something. Whether imposing peaceful corridors, supplying rebels, voicing support, or sending reinforcements, the US has a humanitarian responsibility to protect life. Though I’m not exactly an expert on the situation after reading just a few articles, I do think the pros outweigh the cons. I don’t know what course of action would be most effective, though I think that’s extremely difficult for anyone to determine, but I think that some sort of action needs to be taken.