US Intervention in Syria
As some of you may know, I love the Economist and through the publication, I have become increasingly interested in the Syrian civil war.
On August 21, Bashar al-Assad is suspected to have deployed chemical weapons on a significant scale in a suburb of Damascus. I won't go into the nitty gritty details, so see the links at the bottom for articles on the topic.
There is so much to be discussed on this issue, but for this post I just wanted to convey my new found appreciation of the military power of the US and its potential to do good in the world.
The WSJ's discussion of the tomahawk missile attack really struck me -
On August 21, Bashar al-Assad is suspected to have deployed chemical weapons on a significant scale in a suburb of Damascus. I won't go into the nitty gritty details, so see the links at the bottom for articles on the topic.
There is so much to be discussed on this issue, but for this post I just wanted to convey my new found appreciation of the military power of the US and its potential to do good in the world.
The WSJ's discussion of the tomahawk missile attack really struck me -
Our ability to wield strategic tomahawk missiles over 1,500 miles is astounding. Of course, being from an engineering college, I am in awe of the the science behind the technology. The sheer amount of engineering that goes into constructing these missiles is amazing. In the past, I viewed defense companies as filled with heartless, thoughtless peons using their scientific skills for evil, but for the first time, I see the potential for that technology to do good in the world. It is imperative to our military strength.
I have yet to address the most critical question - Does the US, as John Foster Dulles put it, "have no friends, only interests", or can the US be a source of good in the world? In light of the the Iraq war, I have felt rather jaded about the US's ability to do good in the world, but my time in Berlin showed me this critical question can be answered differently. Conversations with a new found and good friend Konrad Fickelscher showed me the amazingly positive impact the US can have in the world. This realization took root while walking through an outdoor museum at Checkpoint Charlie, the US checkpoint that separate East and West Berlin. One picture in particular struck me. (A link to the picture.) I still get goose bumps just thinking about it. Mounting tensions between the Allies and the Soviet Union culminated in tank stand off in October 27, 1961. It was the only time during the Cold War where US and Soviet troops faced off directly. The standoff lasted 18 hours and ended with the Soviet's agreeing to withdraw first.
The standoff is just one example of the US and Allies willingness to stand up to Soviet aggression and oppression to fight for the freedom and liberty of Germany and its people. Berlin and greater Germany wouldn't be the place it is right now without that commitment and military strength. The respect that Konrad and other Germans have for the US for fighting their freedoms showed me America's potential to do good in the world.
Today, the US is the only remaining superpower and whether we like it or not, that comes with responsibility. It is an honor to have that privilege and should fill Americans with pride, yet as Peter Parker's dad put it "with great power comes great responsibility."
The war in Syria is atrocious. Over almost 2.5 years, 100,000 people have died. On top of all this, the regime is suspected of using chemical weapons multiple times with the most recent use being the most horrific. The attack on August 21 resulted in the death of nearly 1,500 people with 425 of those being children. America cannot sit by as innocent people are murdered with some of the worst weapons on earth. Additionally, Obama said if Assad were to use chemical weapons, it would cross a red line. If the US doesn't stand strong behind its commitments, it will not be taken seriously when trying to deal with other rogue states such as Iran and North Korea.
The US must respond to this attack. It need not enter the civil war, but the US must make good on its commitment and punish Bashar al-Assad for killing innocent people.
I will end this post with a quote from John Kerry's recent speech on this issue.
The US must respond to this attack. It need not enter the civil war, but the US must make good on its commitment and punish Bashar al-Assad for killing innocent people.
I will end this post with a quote from John Kerry's recent speech on this issue.
"Now, we know that after a decade of conflict, the American people are tired of war...But fatigue does not absolve us of our responsibility. Just as longing for peace does not necessarily bring it about."
Sources-
Economist
Wall Street Journal
Bloomberg
