Syria Is Not Libya–Why?
The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has sent troops to several places in the country and is reported to be shooting down people. Here is a report from Al Jazeera, which suggest that people are being shot and attacked apart from any demonstrations. Here is an analysis by Robert Worth of the NYTimes about the political factors at work.
So far as we know, the Syrian protests have been non-violent (on the part of the protesters) and unlike Libya have not formed themselves into an insurrection and a transitional force bent on overthrowing the Assad government. Hence, the question: aren’t Syrian protesters even more deserving of international protection than the Libyans? Or do other political factors weigh so heavily here that no one proposes intervening?
Update: Josh Marshall of TPM has one theory: no one’s paying attention.
UPDATE: Council on Foreign Relation’s inverview with Jon Alterman: “there is considerable concern and uncertainty among U.S. officials about what will happen going forward, particularly should the country’s President Bashar al-Assad be ousted. Complicating U.S. policy on Syria, he adds, are the many U.S. allies in the region such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel that want to keep Assad in power.”
Ms. S. –
Mightn’t it be that we just can’t manage another war ourselves? We really can’t save the world.
Which calls for reflection on: who should save a country? What if a country has no means to save itself?
These sorts of questions keep popping into my mind when I think of the massive immigrant problems some first world countries have. Do immigrants have an obligation to try to form revolutions in their own countries first? Is that even possible in every case? What should the Church be preaching in places where there are oligarchies with no concern for the people? Does the UN have some sort of moral, not just legal responsibility to them?
I thimk some of Lybia is abou toli, but we also got in because of many players willing to be (somewhat) involved.
As to Syria, the US is working on “sanctions” (step 1 to what?)
Maybe a call for some UN resolution?
I think we’ve got way too much militarily on our plate than to do more than that?
No one is paying attention?
“Shameful U.S. inaction on Syria’s massacres”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/shameful-us-inaction-on-syrias-massacres/2011/04/22/AFROWsQE_story.html
“Libya, Syria expose Obama’s foreign policy incoherence”
http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/2011/04/libya-syria-expose-obamas-foreign-policy-incoherence
Intervening to prevent some tragedy in another nation is always a thankless task.
Intervening in matters that involve the maddening contradictions of the Arab mind are almost not worth the effort.
Generally, and especially during these trying economic times, I prefer that We (the USA) take a more isolationist approach, a more America-first approach. We need not be the policemen of the world. I think Bush was onto something when he placed North Korea’s nit wit leaders actions on China’s doorstep.
Let Europe or China do something (i.e. pull their weight) once in a while.
More action around the UN today -Misle East nations coming on board?-
but, then what????
Bob Nunz: good question! I don’t see the U.S., France, or England coming forward. That leaves? Saudia Arabia (which doesn’t wnat any more disorder in the ME). But could they clamp down on Assad? I don’t think Jordan has the wherewithal nor probably the will. Turkey?? large army, a certain authority, but a Sunni-majority country (that might be an issue with Allawites).
It’s possible that the repression will work; look at Iran.
Turkey steps us: “Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan phoned Syrian President Bashar Assad to urge restraint while Turkey’s ambassador to Damascus met Syrian Prime Minister Adel Safar to express Turkey’s deep concern and sorrow over loss of many lives, the prime minister’s office and the Turkish media reported.” http://www.haaretz.com/news/mideast-in-turmoil/turkey-increases-pressure-on-syria-to-stop-violence-against-civilians-1.358218