The Syrian Crisis

Last year marked the beginning of the Arab Spring; a movement towards democracy in the Middle East. Although the long-term effects are still unknown, the movement is currently supported by a friendly wave of optimism on the international stage. The ousting of Egyptian dictator Honsi Mubarak and Libyan strong man Muammar Gaddafi have encouraged further protesting in the region.

            The Syrian uprising is currently a part of the greater Arab Spring. The Spring began as a way to demand greater social and economic freedom and as a means of ending the autocracy in the region. Protesters in numerous Syrian cities are calling for the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, the overthrowing of the government and dissolution of the government ruled by the Ba’ath political party. 

            Several cities under the control of the insurgency are now being besieged in order to extinguish the uprising. Bystanders report that soldiers who did not open fire on civilians as instructed were promptly executed by the Syrian Army. The violent crackdown on the protesters has become emboldened by the lack of UN response. Ms Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights referred to the Russian and Chinese decision to veto a Security Council resolution as “simply deplorable”. The resolution called for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the wake of the violence. 

            I believe that the UN should recognize that it may add fuel to an already rampant fire. Although deplorable, the problems Syria faces are most efficiently dealt with from the Syrian people themselves. Foreign intervention will only validate fears of Western imperialism. Assuming the current government is overthrown, the involvement of foreign militaries will only undermine the legitimacy of the new government. If a movement is truly supported by the people, why would foreign powers be involved? I am not suggesting that the outside world do nothing. On the contrary, there are many other options besides the use of force. I am suggesting that we analyze the benefits and possible risks before we involve our trigger-happy government. International powers do not respect the legitimacy of governments simply because they are “US approved”. Don’t you think we should try and solve the problems at home before we involve ourselves in another expensive and time-consuming war?

-Drew

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17018851