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US caution necessary in Syrian crisis

Once again, another Middle Eastern dictator is being asked to step down, whether it is under the aim of a rifle or under promise of peace. As one of the oldest countries in the world, Syria’s history has often been anything but peaceful. Damascus has been the home of powerful empires, and throughout time the country has traded one violent dictator and great leader for another.

It must be a frightening time for Syrian president Bashar Assad, watching his brothers fall quickly or suffer slowly, knowing that any day could be his last in power. His promise of national dialogue and more political parties were answered with protestors in the streets — and with foreign pressure mounting so heavily, the normal retaliation with violence is no longer an option.

The truth is, even though the promise of political parties sound nice, it won’t matter. The party leaders will likely be figureheads at most, and the Syrian people recognize this. They know that reform, no matter how progressive, doesn’t wipe away blood and old wounds. Criticism has been placed on America’s caution and lack of commitment to the Syrian situation, with some calling for the Obama administration to say definitively that Assad must go. But rushing in head first is not the best option either.

For the administration to just say Assad is out is unwise. And it’s not so easy to tell a man known for doing anything to keep power that he’s out of it. It’s clear nobody wants another Libya where the dictator will promise to fight to the last bullet, and the people will be forced to use guns and not words to decide their countries direction. It is only sensible to use caution with the uncertainty of the Libyan situation.

Support for Syria shouldn’t go much further than keeping pressure on the government, participing in peace talks and controling the flow of weapons and supplies if it comes to it. But not America’s troops, and certainly not alone.

The Syrian people want a democratic government, equal rights and humane treatment. So it’s only natural that Syria takes the lead. It remains Syria’s battle and the task falls to them to win it.

There will be no chance for a more democratic government unless Bashar Assad is removed from office — that much is certain. Assad stated proudly earlier this year that he was in no danger of being overthrown because of his anti-West, anti-Israel policies. President Assad, the Syrian people and the world seem ready to reply to that with a big, “We’ll see.”

For America, Syria and the rest of the Middle East, the world is no longer as small and as isolated as it once used to be.With global economy this, global communication that, it’s still important to know our place, how far our reach can extend, our goals, our roles and how we’re viewed abroad.

Marcus Smith is a creative writing sophomore and may be reached at [email protected].

5 Comments

  • Marcus writes, "The Syrian people want a democratic government, equal rights and humane treatment."

    No they don't.

    What you are doing, Marcus, is projecting your values onto people who have no sense of what they are all about. You don't get it.

    Muslims are raised – from the cradel to the grave – dispising individual freedoms, individual rights, and the freedoms you are assuming they desire. Islam teaches, preaches and practices group think, fear of individulaity, and relentless pressure on the individual to confrom to a rigid set of values that are the poalr opposite of the freedoms you write about.

    When will westerners understand that their values do NOT relate to those in the Islamic East?

  • The much touted Arab Spring has resulted in:

    a) New found freedoms
    b) Rights for women, Gays, Jews and christians
    c) Freedom of speech, religion and conscience
    d) None of the above?

    The much touted Arab Spring's tale has not been completely told yet, but it's increasingly obvious it will not lead to what those in the leftist, western media were telling us it would.

  • What you are doing, Arafat, is projecting your values onto people who have no sense of what they are all about. You don't get it.

    You have been raised – from the cradle to the grave – despising individual freedoms, individual rights, and the freedoms people assume you desire. Judaism teaches, preaches and practices group think, fear of individuality, and relentless pressure on the individual to conform to a rigid set of values that are the polar opposite of the freedoms others write about.

    When will westerners understand that their values do NOT relate to you?

    There, fixed that (and spelling) for you.

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