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In a recent article by Vali Nasr, the action, or lack of action, President Obama is taking towards the current issue in Syria is constantly referred to a dangerous “lean back and wait” approach. The civil war in Syria is expected to kill tens of thousands more and produce as many as three million refugees by the end of 2013.

Nasr suggests that this inaction from the United States is dangerous, because it is breeding a wave of anti-Americanism amongst the refugees, as well as a growing percent of the Middle East population.

Though I agree with Nasr regarding the growing extremism against America do to its lack of action in assisting the Syrian rebels, I have to disagree along the idea that the United States is and has been trying to pull out of the middle east for some time now (since Obama’s election in 08).

If the Syrian Civil War continues to develop large populations of disgruntled refugees, possibly resulting in the creation of a larger group of al Qaeda recruits, then perhaps American involvement is necessary. If this religiously motivated civil war continues over the borders of Syria, then yes, ultimately U.S. and international involvement will need to take place. However, getting the U.S. military involved because of the belief that al Qaeda and other extremists groups will recruit disgruntled refugees seems a bit unnecessary at the war’s current state.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/opinion/global/the-dangerous-price-of-ignoring-syria.html?_r=0

 

Clyde Lovelady

4/22 12:24pm