The details are unclear, and the Syrian government and opposition have two very different accounts of what happened in the Damascus suburb of Daraya at the weekend. But one thing seems clear – the deaths of perhaps 200 people mark what appears to have been the bloodiest day so far in Syria’s civil war.
But should the United States be doing more? And should it intervene directly? Last week, Global Public Square asked readers for their take on what role, if any, the U.S. should play. And the overwhelming view was that it should largely stay out of the crisis.
A commenter under the name Saul Hernandez reflected the concerns of many of the more than 1,000 people who left comments on CNN and Facebook that U.S. involvement could see the situation escalate into a broader conflict.
“U.S. should not be involved in Syria. In fact, instead of helping the opposition to the al-Assad’s regime, U.S. should rather put real pressure on all parties to stop fighting the war and the killing in Syria will come to an end,” Hernandez wrote. “On the other hand if the U.S. gets involved in Syria militarily, then we will have to prepare ourselves for a regional war, and even perhaps a WWIII scenario because Russia will never let Bashar fall.”
Davec0121 agreed that U.S. military intervention would likely be counterproductive. “Not our job. I am sorry about what’s happening in Syria, but it is essentially Syria's problem. They will need to work it out for themselves. Trying to solve their problems is not worth American lives, particularly since the effort would be futile anyway. We don't have any real compelling national interest in Syria, since neither side will like us, so we have no compelling need to participate in yet another civil war. We don't need another Iraq.”
Still, not everyone was so dismissive of a more active U.S. role, with some readers suggesting that the U.S. has genuine national security interests of its own in intervening in some way. Vince wrote: “I don’t think there is a choice. If there’s even a reasonable chance that chemical and biological weapons could fall into the hands of terrorist groups, we will need to take action because you know they WILL be used against the U.S. at some point and the thousands that will die will make the 3,000 from 911 seem inconsequential.” But he also argued that the United States should “engage with Russia and China” on the issue as it’s in everyone’s interests to secure weapons of mass destruction.
Davehuckle, though, believes that the objections of Russia and China might not matter anyway. “Russia will not try to stop the U.S., nor will China. What are they going to do? Start a nuclear war that ends in the extinction of mankind over one man who is killing his own people?”
But Dominick wasn’t swayed by the weapons of mass destruction argument.
“Assad’s weapons have been on the shelves for years, why are they an issue now?” he asked. “He has never threatened us with them. They are set aside in case Israel comes across his border. They are for invaders. Sort of like the gun you keep in your closet.”
Tina Gomez, meanwhile, echoed a point made by Fareed Zakaria on his show recently, specifically that before further action is taken, the U.S. and others would do well to first understand the opposition.
“Before we intervene in Syria do we know whom are we supporting? Assad may be a dictator, but do we know the fact that he has a wide support amongst the Syrian people. If he did not have enough support he wouldn't have survived so far. Yes the Syrian regime has killed many civilians, but what about the rebels,” she writes.
For those that do believe the U.S. could do more, it may anyway be a question of waiting and seeing – and giving the U.S. time to focus on its own issues.
“We should continue to wait, and continue to provide support to the rebels at this current time as the situation doesn't currently warrant our intervention purely based on what it would cost us right now,” Opizze writes. “We need to rebuild our military and regroup. We need to rebuild our economy, or at least allow it more time to recover, and the rebels seem to be holding their own for the moment.”
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Respected Editor Garu,
U.S intervention results in Syria, one day deaths is 420 peoople. When U.S stop intervene in democratic Syria,then all problems will solve automaticaly and without weapon.
I don't think Zakaria got it right. The US should intervene in Syria for several reasons: (1) a genocide is taking place in the 21st century, and we have the capability to stop it. (2) We are leader of the free world. If we allow a heartless tyrant to terrorize and massacre his people, history will not remember us kindly. (3) The syrians are only asking for the imposition of a no fly zone and the establishment of safe zones, (4) We can galvanize the regional powers into working with us like we did in Libya when Bahrain sent in its jets.
Really. Look at what happened in Iraq. Same situation. Iraqis were elated when Saddam was brought down. Look at them now. How quick they forget. No, we do not need to intervene directly in Syria or any other country. If those people want freedom bad enough, they will fight for it. They will then cherish it more than if it was given to them.
"(2) We are leader of the free world....."
Hey there RedWhite&Blue. What exactly do we lead the world in to qualify us as "leader of the free world".
Good grief RedWhite&Blue, you must be another ignorant, war loving Tea Partier! Any three-year-old child would know better than what you posted above. Anyway, thanks for not using that nasty Tea Party lingo as so many Tea Partiers do.
I absolutely agree. well written.
1)In Libya, there was oil involved. So everyone had to rush in and "save/liberate" Libya from dictator.
2) We make history however we want it. Its been like this since the end of WWII. So to Syrians, we are heartless people with no sense of humility when we don't intervene. To us, we did everyone a favor by not supporting "terrorists".
3) we may be more free than Egypt, but we sure don't spread freedom as honestly as we can. We may be more "supportive" to people if we just stay out completely.
RedWhite&Blue, forget the US! There are enough "white knights", who try to broker a peace settlement in Syria. The lastest one is Egypt's president Mohamed Morsi. He wants to form a Syria contact group, made up of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on the Sunni side and Iran on the Shia side. By excluding the West, Morsi hopes that the Sunni backers and the Shia Iran would be able to take their protégés to the negotiating table.
Agreed, but this has to a UN sanctioned event, though are we going to allow every Dictator from now on to continue doing these atrocities because of the threat WMD's we didn't in the other oil rich countries why should we here.
I think Syria or the rebels would take you if you wanted to join them. I doubt the U.S. government would move to stop you, especially if you don't make a big deal out of it. Just do it.
We should not... Let them fight and earn there freedom from Assad. We can't be superman for everybody. It is time for some other country to spend trillions of dollars on a war that don't pertain to them. We are at a restructure and rebuilding stage. Another war would be detrimental to troops (in which I was for 13 years) and will stop the little progress that is helping the economy. This is not the good ol' days of FDR, when war will help the economy. We now live in the Service stage in America and not the farming and manufacturing side which brought us to our wealth.
I do not know if you have ever participate in a war; there is nothing romantic in the battlefield. I believe that the only reason for a soldier to march to war is in defense of our country and the preservation of peace. Syria is only interested in requesting for the United State to come to their aid is due to our military strength. To be truthful, Syria does not even like the United States. Syria does not have any interest in the citizenry of the United States, Syria is a muslim country, their only desire is to see the soldiers of the United States die, they hate us. I say let the United Nations intervene, they have grown big and fat anyway, and for once let our soldiers rest and take care of the United States.
Cool You can be the firt to send your paychecks o the Treasury to apy for it.
The U.S. HAS NO no moral leadership anymore (if we ever did). I use to believe but now not anymore having watched and read the news over the years, Democracy is just our form of using the ruse of human rights freedom and democracy to open those countries up to cheap labor to start, and then future consumers of our products so the 1% can continue to feed their giant egos and wallets.
Shall I prove it: Burma, Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea....all cheap labor, now custoemrs....
BTW: The last time Iran invaded another country was 214 years ago, why are Americans getting fooled like they are so bad? We may think their leader are idiots, but hey, look and Bush 43 "God told me to invade Iraq"...really sounds a lot like the Muslim leaders-type language to me, crazy all of them. (At least Bush Sr was at least intelligent and not into all the religions nut–job stuff and I respected him for that even if I didn't vote for him)
Here, take this rifle and lead the first wave in !!!
Seriously, do you think anybody believes that there is some sort of genocide going on in "21st century". Get your facts straight, and try to figure out who is "genocidiing" whom? Is it the Sunni extremists trying to get rid of Sunni moderates that support the government, or is it Sunni militants trying to get heads of Alawite minority, or again, Sunni extremists gunning for Christians? Whiever way you look at it, it is our darlings, the "rebels" flush with arms and explosives we smuggle to them over borders that are doing all the targeted killings. So, if you can find out which nationality/religion is Assad government trying to get rid off in their effort the whack the mililitants, by all means, share with us. Otherwise, please drop the violine.
This isn't a genocide, and in fact the only way this situation is likely to turn into a genocide is if the rebels win. The Rebels are from the sunni majority and it seems increasingly likely that if they win the religious minorities who back assad will be slaughtered.
Your ignorance is refreshing.
The genocide is taking place by FSA. You must be living in Mars.
"we are leader of free world".
Who selected you as the leader of free world?
I thought you believe in democracy and vote counts.
If nobody selected you, do not be arrogant to boast "leader of free world"
But don't u think that the only reason that the USA helped in libya was only for benfite intrest. and now in syria there is nothing to intrest the amircan people..and come on the capebility that they have. And the sarcastic thing is that they are afried from the al kade . it is not that am not gratful for what the amircan people have done for us but they can help from diffrent kinds of aspects.
I have total compassion fatigue for the middle east. Why don't the muslim countries take care of thier own? We have enough problems, without wasting our resources on people who hate us, support honor killings, foster teenage suicide bombers, etc. etc. I don't think moral superiority is a stance we can take with our record of international misbehavior over the centuries, so let them solve the hell that they've created. We can't even be bothered to care for our own people!
No. a better choice. Warn then give a chance for all side to lay weapons down. Failing that nuke an unpopulated area, that fails, then erase the country.
Another senseless comment from another Tea Partying nitwit! Good grief!
Marshall Dillon, have you run this idea by Doc Adams and Festus?
so you liberate by erasing the country??
Please erase yourself first
How many liberals does it take to post a comment on CNN??? Wow, out of 100 of the comments posted on this site, maybe 5-10 Actually know what they are talking about. It's just people talking crap. Everyone knows everything, everyone is a CNN analyist.
Your english is not good, but your thinking is above average.
I disagree with you. We need more wars and more killing for stability. See how stable is Lybia now after our democratic intervention, unlike places like Norway, Switzerland and so on where we did not intervene to bring stability.
Wars are good, they bring a lot of business, which means jobs, and this what we need right now.
What about the bloodshed and violence? how would you feel if your loved ones were all killed?
I believe that USA should intervene when people are being slaughtered in fighting for their freedom. Is that not what US stand and fought for? Some Americans are quick to say, "we fought for our independence and now is their turn, is not our problem." I think our ancestors who fought for our independence would be ashamed of such statements. Those who are so quick to speak against intervention, in my opinion, lack a great deal of education or consciousness or both. I bet these are the same people who are quick to change the channel when reports of slaughter of children are aired and perhaps never bothered to take a history class in World war I and II. If so, they would know that when you are a big power such as the USA, staying out of the wars of other nations is impossible because in one way or another we will be affected. This was one of the lessons America has learned. Perhaps it is easy for them to turn away because they are not forced to witness such brutality, but the people who are living it like the civilians in Syria(including children) have no choice and no voice.
We always advertise against domestic violence and provide phone numbers to report domestic abuse, encouraging everyone to get involved by reporting it when we witness others doing it. Hypocrisy! As humans we have a moral obligation to protect those who can not protect themselves.
Madinspirit
Madeline,
Read your history...Your forefathers fought an imperialist force by themselves, a far superior imperialist force remember. If the people truly desire freedom then nothing can come in their way. The fact that they need the kind of help that you are talking about itself tells you how strong this so called revolution is. This war is turning into a vile mix of AlQaeda, Shia-sunni factionalism, iran, israel, turkey, US, NATO etc. If you believe that something good is coming out of all this you are dreaming. Putting these forces together gives me the willies....
Madeline, This is not 1774. Look at Afghanistan and Iraq. Have our interventions produced peaceful, safe, democratic outcomes in either nation? A military intervention in Syria would produce no more of a positive result than what already exists in those nations. But, it would cost more U.S. lives, more money and encourage fence-sitters to join the Taliban.
madeline cortes volunteers to fight for Syria!!!
Come on, get some perspective. Syrians killed and supported the killers of many Western (and US of course) troops in Iraq. They hate us, by and large, and supported Iraq killers of Westerners. Now, the bomb makers from Iraq, the Syrians who learned to make bombs to support their Iraqi friends and relatives, are making bombs to kill fellow Syrians.
What is worse? al-Assad butchering people or "freedom fighters" butchering people? Let them sort it out for themselves. I was initially in support of the rebels, throwing off the yolk of tyranny and oppression. But then I read about the rebels using sharia to decide convictions. And that makes me shudder. Using religious principals on a societal level is wrong, especially in a multi-religious society like Syria. It seems like the "free syria army" are controlled by Islamic extremists in that they want to impose their religious viewpoints on everyone and not be pluralistic.
Our forefathers said quite emphatically to"avoid entanglements in foreign intrigues", so no, they would not be in favor of sticking our noses where they don't belong. That is the mission of and the reason for the United Nations or a coalition of Islamic countries.
What planet did you come from. I doubt that you have had the experience of someone shooting back at you in a battlefield. Sit down and think very carefully before you argue that the United States should get involved in another senseless war. Soldiers also have families like you. Perhaps you should volunteer to go the the battlefield, perhaps in Afghanistan as a member of the medic personnel.
Well, how about rampant human right violations (including women's rights) in Saudi Arabia? Maybe, start with them? But no, who's going to give us oil.... Or maybe China? Or no, they're sending us cheap toys...
Is it just me who smells hypocrisy here?
Holly molly. Madeline, get a grip. Fighting for freedom, with the appropriate music in the background. The thugs we are supporting is the lowest lowlife ever to be unleashed on poor population. They have killed teachers, principals, postmen, businessmen, entire families with children - just to make population scared and give them whatever they want. How many more mass murders these thugs will be allowed to perform in order to get someone bomb the government, so they can take power. They take power! God help us, for we know not what we are doing. If anywhere in our country some madman try to take over government by force, I hope Government does not wait for any international condemnation, and gets them fast and hard. This is the only way to deal with those who want shortcuts to taking power into their hand. By what on earth is possesing us to glorify this butchery, and to try to portray all this as somehow governmet doing? Beats me. We must be bored out of our skulls, or else we would have much better things to do!
Get your facts before you talk from your behind.
do something
people are being killed like animals
including kids
Leaving Assad alone to practice ethnic cleansing is like leaving Hitler alone to finish the Jews
Since the non-Muslim world does not have a much friends willing to stand up for them: It is best if the USA supplys short range weapons for gold to the losing side and change when it becomes the winning side. As long as gainfully employed kiling each other they cannot kill us very much.
You just articulated the Israeli position...thank you for your honesty
Leon Panetta said the US (President Obama) would not act outside the UN mandate .. that means that the US (President Obama) will not act unless the Kremlin says "OK .. you can act now" .. the UN General Assembly already voted .. and who voted "NO" ? Can you guess ? The club of dictators .. Russia, China, Syria, Iran, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North Korea, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
I guess vote and majority rule is so strange to us who are so democratic. So we are going alone.
Oh, wait... going alone and disregarding the other people opinion. I think that there is a expression for that when you do whatever you want. Let me think. I think it is called: Dictatiorship.
So the same countries we agree with on arms sales restrictions then.
Romney and Obama should agree to agree on helping the Syrian people .. agree not to make Syria a campaign issue and act now .. even though it is 438 days late and meant the death torture and maiming of 50,000 persons ..
I have been to Aleppo and never met a kinder people ..
President Obama .. do you not think the Syrian people are worthy of freedom .. ? Are they not possessed of the inalienable rights that the American founders proclaimed .. these are humans Mr. President . .I have been to Syrian myself and have never met a better people .. I am disgusted to watch the inaction of the White House ..
I have been to Venice and Rome. I never met nicer people. So what am I going to do? I am going to help them by sending them weapons. That would help.
Weapons solve all kind of problems. You just soot each other and problem solved.
I am such a peace loving person.
and i'm disgusted by Chickenhawks like you.
My personal stance is that we should not only keep our noses out of Syria pull out of the world at large. We pour billions of dollars into and waste our military lives on countries that will never appreciate our efforts and in fact will try to hold the US accountable for all their ill's. I'm sorry if it sounds heartless but we need to bring all our forces home, stop ALL foreign aid (even to Israel) and let them all sort their own issues out without us.
I agree with all you have said
Good posting, Lori. No, what you posted above was far from heartless, it is the plain truth!
AMEN!!!!!
RA!!!!
I am the same guy. I am a useless piece of camel dung. I post anti-American, anti GB, anti-Semite, anti-India, anti-modern anything because I am a good Moslem from Pakistan. I have stolen Patrick’s moniker because I am so ashamed of myself and I post the most stupid comments because I am an imbecile. Mohammed the pedophile has taught me well. When people get angry with me, I claim they are the stupid ones. If I am not careful, my brain will explode because it is so full of hate and puss.
You're kind of thinking makes things worse, grow up.
Isolationism hasn't been an option since December 6th, 1941. Read up on how the modern world works, and you'll learn how ridiculously unrealistic your belief is.
That same public opinion of isolation kept us away from foriegn combat for over 30 yrs. That changed because of the economic revival for the U.S. during WWII. However, the U.S. was the only industralized nation that wasn't getting carpet bombed and today we don't hold that kind of capacity, the assembly lines of yesterday are now suppliers from all over the place.
Second, I still not have seen a truthfull report on the dynamics of what's occuring on the ground on Syria, just finger pointing about who killed who...
If you did that your country would collapse, the USA needs wars, it is a militaristic nation that needs an enemy, Communism 'til the 80's, Drug Cartels for 20 years, and now extremists and middle eastern affairs. When almost an entire quarter of your budget (24%) is spent on defence (The US is 2nd only to North Korea in that respect) then you need a very good conflict or a lot of very very big arms deals. It's either that or you fold as a nation. Because the third option is unthinkable, spending that 24% on education, welfare, medicine, etc...
I agree with you Lori. I think we should stay away from syria. i think saudi Arabia is their big brother and it is time to step up for wahabis to help the ummah with their tribal justice. we are not of their land and creed and it is high time our politicians figure it out. if we common people are able to percieve this logic how come these intellectuals are unable to get it. i am sick of these charades. let us concentrate on our country first. let us build better schools, better health care, better cops and create better citizens. we need not be the police of entire world. let us forget these islamic wars and see where we can take our country. let some body fight these wars.
You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. I don't think anyone is going to win this one no matter how they vote.
^what lori said.
When the Sunnis and Shiites rise up and want to resolve their differences and desire a free and open peaceful society– only at that point we should help. If we choose sides and get involved before that we are asking for bigger problems than we can handle. Clearly Russia and China have huge interests in keeping things the way they are.
You talk about the politics. What about the human suffering. Should the civilized nations like US defend helpless civilians in this conflict?? I think – yes. And it does not matter what is their faith and how much money this is going to cost. Let's have a little compassion for them especially when we have all the resources. It is really easy for us to place comments in our comfortable settings far away from that war. I dare anyone to go to Syria and live there just for a day.
Problem is if we intervene directly we are just going to cause many, many more civilian deaths. Look at Iraq- we killed something like 100,000 civilians there.
Where did you get that number?
The U.S. should stop killing people who pose no direct and immediate threat. And the same goes for it's adopted daddy Israel....Stop the "Wyatt Earp Syndrome" plain english stop the killing. Stop the bullying. The CIA should get out of the regime change business, and mind it's own....Revert to peace economy. the war economy only helps Big Brother. A peace economy (solar energy, population management, space exploration, etc,) helps everyone.
Stop the killing. Stop the assasinations, Stop the threats. People are tired of it.
US will supply weapon to the rebel. Russia can supply weapon to the Assad gang, don't call it "Government". Let the Syrian kill each other until none Syrian left. I like this idea.
i am sure some do gooder christian group will go there to help, get caught and then whine about the u.s. not getting them out quick enough
Unfortunately you are probably right. Hope they don't get their fool heads blown off.
Typical oppostion supporter;
"If I can't personally kill someone, at least let me send send a gun to someone that can!"
Interesting scenario;
The CIA loses control of the situation in Syria. And in the ensueing confusion a leader arises who is even more opposed to Israel than Assad or his daddy. LOL.
Ha, ha, ha, I think you have just given us exactly what is happening over there.
Why does the USA have to intervene? Why not have a shared intervention with other Arab countries and european countries. It is europe mess for a couple hundred years ago. It is a catch 22; we are damn if we intervene; and damn if we donot-
I have young sons- which i would not want them to participate in a foreign war that we have no treasure; passion for it
This country has absolutely no business in Syria, militarily or otherwise! Anyone who thinks we should butt into Syria's civil war needs to have their head examined. Your sons should never died in a needless war anymore than anyone else's, but try telling that to the Washington bureaucrats who care only for themselves!
In the middle east as soon as a government fails, the only other organized power center is the religious establishment which steps in to lead the country back to the dark age. The way they have set up elections has contributed to things going wrong. Our type of election is only valid for a two party system. If you have more candidates its necessary to order several preferences, so that the moderate vote does not get split and therefor wasted like it did in Egypt. The largest voting block was moderate, but a Religious hard liner got elected because the Islam fanatics were organized well enough to take advantage of the rules. I know... too realistic for web comments.
It's like telling an abused wife to stand up for herself & then when she come to you for help, beacuse she got betaen, you turn your back on her.
That's what the US has done in the ME – overthrew the Shah, in bed with Saudia royalty, blind support for Israel, invaded Iraq, Afghanistan, bombed Libya, threaten Iran, encouraged Arab revolution, but when things get ugly... we pretend we have nothing to do with it.
If US moves into Syria, so will China and Russia. Expect the fall out to snow ball into sporadic low intensity hostile engagements across the globe through proxies. Expect Russia to actively counter NATO expansion in Eastern Europe, and expect China to become more agressive in the East China Sea.
Would this trigger WWII? no. It will trigger a new cold war and divide the world into tightly controlled spheres of influence. With all sides fortifying their positions globally. China has too much to lose and Russia no longer has the ability to project it's force beyond it's borders. I expect this to be a all out fight using soft power as China has that in spades and the US is losing it daily.
China cannot match the combined military force of their neighboring countries when the US supports them, however China's sheer economic muscle can crush anyone even the US. China is quickly buying up US industries without allowing the US to reciprocate. they are also taking over US trading partners. This give them the ultimate business advantage as they can build their global stock portfolio while preventing other nation from doing the same. Think of this as the boardroom version of a stealth bomber attack. Their business plan has the same influence globally as the US Navy, only without the cost of operating massive ships.
Russia will back China in a push against the European Union and the United States, however Moscow has its own disputes with Beijing to resolve, so do not expect a WWII Axis like alliance, thus a world war is not probable. Russia neither has the military nor the economy to directly challenge the west. This is why the European Missile Shield scares them. If their only real power left is nulified (nuclear), then they will lose alll relevance. Expect some billigerant moves. Russia has nothing to lose and everything to prove so if any nation is willing to get into a shooting war it would be them.
So you seriously think that russians want war? Have you even met a russian person? To judge a country so simplistically... And when was the last time Russia attacked the west, tell me? On the contrary, its the west attacked Russia on countless occasions – Sweden in medieval times, Poland in the early 17th century, French in the 19th, Germans in the 20th. And Russia has plenty to lose, because it has huge natural resources.
The US, meanwhile, is always up for an agression, especially recently, and always to protect it's economic interests. Panama 1989, anyone? Iran in the 70-ties? then Iraq etc.
So maybe you should drop these Cold War prejudices already? With all due respect...
Right now russian people just want to live a little the way they want, they are not a threat...
And maybe, just maybe the US should concentrate on their own problems for a change, instead of constantly interfering in other people's affairs? "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5)
US should not get overtly involved in Syria. Its a civil war between a Russian-oriented Baathist dictatorship against an Islamic (including al qaeda ) insurgency. Until one of the combatant sides in the Syrian civil war publicly proclaim their goal is a democratic secular state based on equality and human rights there is no reason to "help" anyone out in that country. I don't expect that to happen. Notwithstanding, the US should keep tabs on the WMDs so they can be destroyed if moved.
I think that is a good idea. We are so close to bankruptcy that another war (or two) will get us there, and then there will be no more questions about that. So go ahead start another war. We are only involved in about 7 right now, so what is another war for us peace loving nation. Every nation needs to be involved in at least 10 wars at any given time, so we still have room for few more wars.
I disagree in the US getting involved in Syria. As a matter of fact, the average US citizen really doesn't care what's going on over there. Walk down any US street and ask anyone and you would get more eye rolling shrugs than opinions. If the US really wanted to, she has the firepower to either eliminate Assad or break up the rebal contingent. It is really no consiquence either way. The US has bigger fish to fry. Syria needs to do their own nation building; what do they think? That nation building would be easy?
If I lived in Syria (even in the non-effected areas) I would get out of Syria ASAP. Every wacko extreemist in the ME is flooding into Syria and calling themselves "rebels". But these extreemist groups hate each other and love to war with each other. This is going to expand into ALL areas of Syria no matter what the Assad military does. I know it is hard to accept but the violence is going to expand throughout all of Syria. Begin making expediant plans to move to another country.
Its so nice having Syrians kill each other. Don't you all just love it?
I suppose if the world can ignore Haiti (which is an inherent basket case), we should ignore Syria.
I guess the world is jsut getting sick and tired about moralizing people killing each other and has decided its OK. Just leave me alone and let me do my thing.
Not sure what you are talking about. The world has always been OK with people fighting each other. It's only been recently (and possibly temporarily) that many countries have chosen to not participate.
Doesn't this say something about Moslem culture?
Lex, Musims consist of many, many diff. groups, sects and tribes. And they all hate each other and love to war with each other. What makes this waring most difficult to stop is that the waring is based in Religion.
Be nice to America or they bring Democracy to your country.
Hilarious!!!
The current Syrian government provides money and arms to Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups. Furthermore, the leadership insists on ruling through force. Iran is Syria’s only friend.
On the other hand, the new government after Assad will not continue a relationship with Tehran. The new government will not be a minority led elitist society and therefore might be more inclusive. The Sunni Arab Gulf states will love to pour money into a new Sunni Syria.
The only thing that will ensure Syrians are safe is a democracy. However, we have multiple examples that other Muslim nations are not able to handle a democratic lifestyle because of a total lack of education. Finally, Muslims are dictated by a religion that demands unanimity in its mode of thought.
The USA should not get involved no matter how bad things get because it will be blamed for all failures.
Why do we care what lay people say about foreign policy? I am not certain why CNN passes this off as news. But whatever. I personally suspect that most of the Syrian "freedom fighters" are nothing more than Al-Quaeda type Islamic insurgents trying to impose Taliban style rule, over through the quasi-socialist secular Assad regime.
I believe the tepid American support for the Egyptian "revolution" and "arab spring" will be viewed a blunder.
We are going to trade in corrupt, self serving secular dictators who care primarily about stability and order with enthusiastic and energetic Islamic militants who are less concerned with good governance and more concerned with keeping the Jihad party going and spreading instability throughout the region.
The Statement about "Two very different accounts" to what happened in Daraya is inhuman, condescending and dismissive of the human suffering of 450 lost souls. Does Mr. Zakaria expects Assad to come out and admit his troops massacred these civilians? Did Hitler admitted the same accounts of his crimes as perceived by the Allied Forces in WWII.
The insistence on presenting the views as a disinterested outside observer from out of space is actually an active participation in the mayhem. It is happening because one single individual named Bashar Al-Ass-ad insist on keeping his father throne on the heap of 27,000 martyred Syrians. The World is still cheering Assad as if we are in Roman Arena wanting the beast to increase the numbers of victims to reach Millions.
There is no proof that Assad's bunch killed these people.
I would not put it past the rebels to have done the killing themselves.
Patrick, you are right. In fact there was a recent cnn video report where the reporter was traveling with a group of rebels in a totally controlled area that the rebels took over, but they were being shot at by snipers on roof tops and these snipers were part of the rebel groups.
Funny how whenever the Western press reports a story, its from the mysterious Syrian "activists" that they get their infofrpom.
Its also funny how as confessed in this article,nothing can be confirmed of what their told of shown but they give it to us as "news" anyway.
WoW..Thats journalism these days? More like propaganda to me.
Everyone knows by now that these 'rebels",backed by the West...Britain, US, Nato..., fight the Syrian government forces and kill civilians and pin it in the government, to receive sympathy and more funding from the west for more fighting. This is what they do and are hired for.
This a sick soap opera in my opinion. And were letting our "Leaders" over here drag us into it .
Don't buy the propaganda.
Plain and simple. Syria right now is "D2 to D4" nothing more. Sad state of affairs we are all in.
The Arab Nations are the people to control this mess. Unfortunately, China and Russia blocked their attempts.
Where is the Arab League? Where are the other arab states intervening? Where are the wealthy arab states helping the refugees with money or Turkey with money to house and feed them? They hate American and european infidels, but wer should go save them? Arm them all and let them all die, makes the world a better place.
If the chems fall into the rebels, all bets off, the situation will deteriorate very very quickly
Honestly I don't think it would be a good idea to intervene. The middle east is very religious they won't accept help if it goes against their religious views. So why should we interfere with their beliefs or way of life if is not going to change their views.
ok heres the deal......even the syrians that we might save will still treat and regard Americans like the enemy like they always have.....truth is, thats what ALL the muslim countries do and have always done......especially Syria. So no matter who is in power in Syria we will always be treated as such so why should we spend resources and risk American lives when NONE of them would EVER DO THE SAME FOR US?......let them figure it out and fight it out themselves without our involvement.
Did Zakaria plagiarize this article too?
When America starts to take care of it's own people first When it begins to invest in Science and Economic Development – When it stops wasting American Lives. When it stops invading other countries When it Starts to honor and respect other countries and their independence – Then the world will not hate Americans Then the Americans will not be threatened with Violence and the welfare of the US Citizens will improve.
America !! Fix your own back yard before you violate the back yards of others..
Yes I am an American
If we are going to war we are going to get it right.
OK Americans do not want to help other people in need. Fine. Nobody will help them in the future if they are in need. The French were fools when they help Americans in their fight against the Brits. At the battle of Yorktown, they were more casualties on the French side than on the American side, they should have left the Americans be slaughtered by the Brits. There will be a time when we will need help, and I will be glad when nobody helps us. All the Syrians want is for us to help them with weapons to fight Assad, no American boots on the ground. But no, Obama is too afraid to do anything. On top of that, this was an historic opportunity to bring down one of America's enemies, and Obama once again failed. Remember that after the second world war, Israel was alone against the Arabs and only Czechoslovakia helped them with weapons. Otherwise they would have been slaughtered, and maybe the Syrian people will be slaughtered too, but shame on you America, shame on you! You are a little and weak country....
I agree that sometimes other countries need help, and others to help them fight. However your observations about "Obama has failed..." indicates you know very little about what is being done, diplomatically or via CIA behind the scenes. You didn't know what was going on behind the scenes either when the news flash read "Osama bin laden is dead". Up until that point, you were probably shouting "he has failed to get OBL". The president might be failing by your standards of measurement on this situation but he probably knows far more about what is really happening, and far more about what is being done above cover and under cover than you do. He also knows the last president got us into Two Wars, and he doesn't want to get us into another one. Handing out guns to one side or the other in Syria might satisfy the NRA, but it would not play well on the rest of world right now. Remember, the Bush Adm lost 190,000 + weapons in Iraq. Now that's competence.
Using military force in Syria would unify Iran. It would break our sanctions and international isolation of Iran. It would damper further spreading of Democracy in the Middle East by giving credence to the idea that the west is supporting rebellion in the Middle East. This isn't like Libya. In Libya, we had permission from the UN and support from the Arab league. The Qatar military even took part in the air strikes. In Syria, we have no coalition. We would spark the already significant tensions between Palestinians and Israelis.
Military intervention won't save lives. It would ignite global tensions, destroy long fought diplomatic efforts, and may even prolong conflict in Syria. It took us a decade to stabilize Iraq. Syria would be worse.
If Assad uses chemical weapons against his people or if intel says that chemical weapons could fall into terrorists' hands, we will have no choice but to go in. At that point, I think the international community would be behind us, and Syria would be in such chaos that intervening couldn't make things worse. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that. Until then, everyone will be better off if we just stay out.
No! We should not! Not until the rebels are willing to make an offer first. We should not give anything for nothing! If we are going to bleed for them, they will have to define new laws that give women more rights, & protect freedom of religion. Without that in writing, forget it! We don’t need to change one dictator out for another. We should demand cultural change for the Middle East if they want us to bleed for them. If not, let then spend another 2500 years of killing each other. In fact we should just rope off the Middle East & label it as the killing fields for extremists. & we can film them killing each other off so we have something to show our kids about why extreme religious believers are bad for the world.
Syria surface to air missile the long range missile accurate 5 out of ten. Shorter range is better.Course missiles will lead; you're. Looking at a force of 150,000 troops and Syria is not flat. Lebennon is to the southwest were their are 50,000 anti American troops supported by Iran and Sryia. Turkey to the north may join in to help fight the Syrian or reason to attack the Kurds in Iraq. Syria has 3,000 surface to air missiles.
Present to help the rebels; Al Qauada next Kurdes. Yes if our troops invade Syria our alley could be Al Quada! The Kurdes helping our troops could enrage Turkey.
The Kurdes man checkpoint with their flag viewable. Who we trust the most Turkey…Al Quaada...Kurdes? Then chemical weapons don't care who when effect a person. The present country unable to pronounce the name US trained the police and army; trust.
It's flattering...giving people a choice, as if we have some true talent or moral obligation to sit in judgement of others.
The truth is we don't really have a talent at judging others, we've picked, propped up and sided with some of the most repressive and corrupt regimes in the world over the years.
Nor do we have a moral obligation, our founders sought to create a more perfect union through our own revolution, not the perfect union.
We've got our own very pressing and challenging problems to address, ones that often do not get addressed or treated with the urgency and resolve they should because of the endless distractions playing to Americans' collective ego results in.
No, no one actually hands us this two sided coin we are tasked to flip, yeah or nay. Not in the way we're encouraged to believe, not only are the people of the world not really wishing us to act in this function, the people of America are never asked through a vote to truly decide by majority rules either.
The people of the world aren't voting to pass us this torch through a vote of all the people, and we aren't deciding the issue based on the vote of the people.
Here is your dime back CNN now why don't you ask a truly worthwhile question like why it will no longer buy a cup of coffee.
The US will not get involved because China says "No No" because we owe the Chinese so much. We are nothing but pawns at the moment. They will not let the US faulter much more because then the Chinese currency is worthless if we don't buy their products. Syria and all of the Middle East for that matter, need to be kept on watch but we don't need to be playing in their backyards. We lose enough good men and women, for these countries to try to mirror our society yet as someone else stated, they don't care. Look at Afghanistan...We are in the transition of giving them back power yet more troops are dying again because they have let the "terrorist" infiltrate their security forces, RIGHT IN OUR FACE...
nice, blah-blah-blah but lacking logic and realism...
Syrian security forces have cleared the city of al-Hrak in the southwestern governorate of Dara'a of insurgents fighting against the government.
Syrian troops drove the foreign-backed insurgents out of the city on Monday.
More than 400 insurgents have been killed in the city of Daria near Aleppo over the past two days. Two-thirds of them were reportedly foreign nationals.
In Hama, Syrian troops arrested a number of insurgents in the al-Morabet district and confiscated a variety of weapons.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Damascus says outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists are the driving factor behind the unrest and deadly violence while the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the killings.
The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the armed militants are foreign nationals.
Stay out of it. We have already done a great deal of damage in Iraq and Afganistan killing thousands so America's 1% can get a little richer. Now we are on the edge of invading Iran after causing great suffering because of our sanctions. Give the world a break from America's brand of "Freedom".
This country has 15.8 trillion in the deficit. intervening in yet another war will just bankrupt us for good and is sheer insanity
Clearly, the US must allow the Taliban or al Qaeda get Syria's chemical weapons so that the terrorists can destroy Europe. This is Obama's plan. Let these terrorists have fun in France and Italy, in Spain and Portugal, in Germany and Switzerland. Let the inhuman terrorists take out the people in the EU who have never been smart enough to protect themselves from tyranny.
I can't imagine a scenario in which US involvement leads to less loss of life.
they didn't help us with our revolution. why should we risk our troops for theirs?
There is nothing to say here, this is NOT our problem in any way. There is NOTHING there of any interest to the United States. Assad will fall with or without our involvement, it is just a matter of time before this happens. If some other nations want to commit billions of dollars and troops to fight Assad, go right ahead, let us know when your done.
More Chicken-**** Americans. Obama would be proud.
We have 3 choices neither are acceptable:
1). Back the evil dictator
2). Back the suiside bombers.
3). Stay out and protect ourselves from who's ever left standing.
Someone posted correctly – we don't have any real compelling national interest in Syria, since NEITHER side will like us. They are muslims – nuff said. D@mned if we do, d@med if we don't, so save USA blood and money. Keep out!
Yup, Moslems. Like ol' Grover Norquist's wife. You can bet he's a shining example of a chickenhawk, too. That marriage and adopted family is just a cover anyway.
I believe America can continue to engage in the conflict through dialogue with both parties, but should not support the conflict with American lives. America contributes to many conflicts around the world, and for some reason it does not seem this particular region supports America, but more so Anti America. There are other countries in the world that support this particular country (China, Russia) , but do nothing to solve the issue at hand. These are countries that have a major impact on the rest of the world. Why is it that everyone else sits by and watch, but yet it is alway Americas responsiblity to assist others.
YEAH, STAY THE HELL OUT OF THE WORLD'S BUSINESS! DAMNED CIA. What would the US gubmint do if we hard armed rebels here?! They would use our army to blast them to death!
Agree. Get out of Syria, Iran and everywhere else. Stop pouring gasoline on every spark in the world. Non-interventionist foreign policy is the vision of our founding fathers.
once again the crazy americans thinking WW3 will come from a conflict so marginal proxy war between 2 sides reshaping the middle east.
sad to see so many lose there life
17 The burden against Damascus.
“Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city,
And it will be a ruinous heap.
2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken;[a]
They will be for flocks
Which lie down, and no one will make them afraid.
3 The fortress also will cease from Ephraim,
The kingdom from Damascus,
And the remnant of Syria;
They will be as the glory of the children of Israel,”
Says the Lord of hosts
The U.S. reliance on the so-called military industrial complex is the reason Dr. Ron Paul will never have a chance in national politics. He's a staunch peacenik, and adheres to the philosophies of our founding fathers. On the far left we have Dennis Kucinich, also a peacenik, also has no chance in national politics. There is truly one thing that the Dems and Repubs have in common: they're not about to mess with the war gravy train, no matter their religions/philosophies/ideologies.
For all those who live in fear that destabilization in the mideast will result in chem/biological weapons being used against U.S. citizens on our soil: If this is inevitable, then so be it. If such a heinous act were to occur, it is still not justification for boots on the ground. We have our own weapons of mass destruction and there would be ample justification to use them. No other country would defy us at that point and we would hold the host country accountable for the vermin they have nurtured.
Love Ron Paul. He is the only one to speak up against this insanity and stand up for our soldiers for a rational foreign policy.
"Vince wrote: “I don’t think there is a choice. If there’s even a reasonable chance that chemical and biological weapons could fall into the hands of terrorist groups, we will need to take action because you know they WILL be used against the U.S. at some point and the thousands that will die will make the 3,000 from 911 seem inconsequential.”
I am SO SICK of morons saying this. Ignorant idiots. Chemical weapons have NEVER been used on this planet, and killed more people that a conventional bomb would have. The British and Germans used one ton of chemical weapons per fatality caused during World War I. The 1995 release of the nerve gas sarin in the Tokyo subways by the Aum Shinrikyo sect killed 12 people, fewer than a small, standard bomb might have killed in that crowded, enclosed area. An estimated 5,000 Kurds died in Saddam Hussein's chemical attack on Halabja, Iraq, in 1988, but this involved dozens of fighter-bombers making repeated low passes over the town. It's hard to imagine that terrorists could pull off such a coordinated heavy military maneuver.
STFU about chemical weapons already!
The public has no idea what is going on in Syria as a body it only knows what it is told and what it is told is not believable in all respects. If you go by the old axiom: believe nothing of what you are told and only half of what you see then you might be close. One thing to know, without a doubt, is that neither we or the Israelis are going to allow Syria's weapons of mass destruction to fall into terrorist hands. One way or the other they will be taken off the table and out of play.
To everyone that thinks the US should intervene and send troops to help Syrians, why don't you go apply for the army and get a first hand combat experience? If you're not up to joining the army, don't whine we're not helping.
Right on. If we truly believe in war, we should have a draft and tax. Americans need to sacrifice if they truly believe in what they say. No more sacrificing our soldiers, bankrupting our country and killing innocent civilians for TV entertainment and elitist profiteering.
we need to support both sides of this conflict so that it is indefinitely sustainable and causes uncountable casualties on both sides. the more dead religious zealots who want me dead, the better.
Need to get out of Afghanistan also. Where are all the democrats who protested outside of Bush's ranch 4 years ago. More Americans killed under Obama in Afghanistan than Bush, but no one seems to care. Selective values at work.
Where are all the democrats who protested outside of Bush's ranch 4 years ago.
They dont have to protest anymore.
Bush is out of office.
It seems any Western assistance is slow in coming unless you have oil or Jews in your country. This horrendous travesty/humanitarian disaster needs to stop.
We would love to help,
as soon as you tell us what to do about that Russian Military base in Syria.
Should we blow it up and start a war with Russia ?
Should we put in a no fly zone, and have the Russians and Syrians
shoot down our boys in those jets ?
Should we put boots on the ground and have every muslim nation on earth
scream jihad against the Imperial invaders ?
Come on big guy, fill me in.
You seem to have all the answers,
go back to playing war games on your computer little one.
Well said. Time for the soldiers to speak up instead of the Laz-Y-Boy armchair warriors.
I did not read the article, just the headline. Why do we need to give yet another country assistance? It's not our business, it's SYRIAS. "It's a tradgedy that needs to stop" Why? Let them kill each other off, then when there's only a couple hundred of the stupid people left we can claim their land with little or no American deaths. All that wartorn land open for grabs that we could use for heavy industry and.. get our economy back, instead of spending even more money and resources that we don't have for ourselves. If a country wants to destroy themselves, let them! We do nothing anyway, where has any good come out of our interferance? Endless examples: (Insert here). One more thing, I do not support the beleif system our wig wearing, slave owning, white, power hungry founders developed this country on. However, in George Washingtons goodbye letter, for a lack of better words, he stated that we as a country should not involve ourselves in outter affairs. When we did most of everything in this country, even brains went up in smoke.
There is no economic, political, or social incentive to pull the USA into another intervention. The USA has no stake in the outcome in Syria. The draw-down and pullback is part of a lower-profile Iraq and Afghanistan first showed; the trend stood out when the USA refused to lead the UN Mission in Libya. A non -mission of any sort in Syria isn't influenced by public polls, they just confirm the retreat process.
Unfortunately, this empowers Iran. The USA seems willing to live with this. Unfortunately, this exposes the region to a flash-fire between Israel and Iran. The USA seems willing to live with this. And most unfortunately, the USA could renege on its NATO pledges to Turkey.
If the USA is willing to live with all that, then be prepared for a very, very unusual and dangerous political mix in the next decade.
Fartweed is saying what the readers thinks not what he thins.
News you'll never see on CNN - Today an israeli court cleared the israeli army over an israeli military bulldozer crushing an American citizen to death.
Let Syria fight their own fight. It has nothing to do with the US.
what u say is true, never has syria been in US camp, always a bit of a russian, aka: Soviet satellite state. Stay out militarily in this civil war, i know it's hard for Americans because we are subjected to our media liberalism, but as i recently heard on TV airing of "Hatfield and McCoys", "Men, harden your hearts and do what u must". Stay out.
I fail to understand why the US media supports the takeover of middle eastern governments by radical extremists.
Propaganda not news.
Islam is the greatest killer of all time, worse than Christianity, fascism or communism. Islamic jihad destroyed a Christian Middle East and a Christian North Africa. Soon it was the fate of the Persian Zoroastrian and the Hindu to be the victims of jihad. The history of political Islam is the destruction of Christianity in the Middle East, Egypt, Turkey and North Africa. Half of Christianity was lost. Before Islam, North Africa was the southern part of Europe (part of the Roman Empire). Around 60 million Christians were slaughtered during the jihadic conquest. Half of the glorious Hindu civilization was annihilated and 80 million Hindus killed. The first Western Buddhists were the Greeks descended from Alexander the Great's army in what is now Afghanistan. Jihad destroyed all of Buddhism along the silk route. About 10 million Buddhists died. The conquest of Buddhism is the practical result of pacifism. Zoroastrianism was eliminated from Persia. The Jews became permanent dhimmis throughout Islam. In Africa over 120 million Christians and animists have died over the last 1400 years of jihad. Approximately 270 million nonbelievers died over the last 1400 years for the glory of political Islam. These are the Tears of Jihad which are not taught in any school.
you're MSM-rewired thinking cannot be worse than a robot..
You know good and well that if the US intervenes then Assad will be taken out of power. Bottom line. Is the US willing to sacrifice another 4,000 US soldiers' lives? I've had enough, let all the other "Down with the US" countries handle it and sacrifice their soldiers' lives.
Right on Brother!
Who cares what happens in that little raghead country! We have our own problems and let them decide who is going to run that mess over there...there is always going to be issues with ragheads...always has been since time began...
US already intervene in Syria. How come those "rebels" are prepared and fighting with us weapons ? Syria is a partner of Iran, US want Iran out so kept it's war game going with Syria. Then US will let Israel attack Iran, still with their weapons though...
Leader of the free world my f.... ass. How can you be so dumb ?
I wonder how fast the Syrian regime and the rebels would forget their differences, and unite, if they were told NATO was coming in full force, not to support either side, but to claim the country for their own. Sometimes, a common enemy can work where diplomacy fails.
stay out of Syria militarily, behind the scenes support, intell, CIA, etc. coupled with other instruments of power, Economic, Diplomatic and informational- thru State Dept and freedom of communication- internet, cell phone photos to world, UN, is fine. This is Real Politic. Everyone in US always says problem we had with Iraq is intell on ground, should have found better way to regime change, and also, to watch out for follow on regime. Very true, now we are going that way in Syria; and still US is accused of being dumb. We are finally getting it right.
As i recently heard, not verbatim mind u, on airing of "Hatfield and McCoys" – which can b viewed as a mini civil war and certainly tribal fighting, not unlike Syria; the elder Hatfield states "Men, harden your hearts and do what u must". This is when his family executes 3 of the McCoys in the woods who killed a Hatfield during a 3 on 1 fight. Relevance. Stay out of Syria. Has never been a US Ally, always in Soviet/Russian camp. What we do diplomatically, Economically and Informationally (thru UN, bad press world wide for Russia, Iran, etc) or even covert (providing assistance- whatever , i don't want to know everything) is fine. "Harden your hearts men" is appropriate because Liberal Media in west will try to drag us into this by showing horrors, etc. I know, it's sad, i feel for the kids also, tell the russian people, the Iranian people, the chinese people, of who their gov't supports, not US people, we are not the one's in this case and should learn not to fall for this in future, no more, no more.
"Vince wrote: “I don’t think there is a choice. If there’s even a reasonable chance that chemical and biological weapons could fall into the hands of terrorist groups, we will need to take action because you know they WILL be used against the U.S. at some point "
Oh my gosh didn't Vince live in 2003 when bushco used this argument to get us into a completely unnecessary and useless war in Iraq? Didn't we learn anything from being lied to about why we need to support more war?
I haven't cared about Syria and its people since right after 9/11 when I saw so many of them dancing in the streets. Neither side are our friends.
Stay out of the Middle East. We don't need another neo-con initiated quagmire that sacrifices our troops, bankrupts our country and kills thousands of innocent civilians in your and my name. Defend our own country. We have enough problems to solve here without sticking our noses in every problem around the world.
Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. No more neo-con deceptions to lead us into disastrous and immoral war like the neo-cons caused to happen with Iraq.
Really, it is not America's responsibilitty to intervene in every affair. why aren't other nations doing something? why should it be the US's job to set things into motion in Syria and risk war?
I fully agree with you ,the sad part is that the big money makers profit from this world mess,( is there way of doing business)
Stay out of syria and IRAN as well.. stop this insanity of war with every other country....
America should not intervene in Syria let syrian solve their own conflict bcoz the more America gets involved in others countries conflict the more terrorism develops like the case in Libya
This is not an all-or-nothing choice. "Intervention" need not include invasion and occupation. NATO, USA is doing the right thing—support Free Syria.
It's important to understand what intervention would mean in this case.
No one, including most Syrians, don't want American or any other foreign boots on the ground. They've created the Free Syrian Army which has the troops but not the guns.
At the very least, intervention should come in the form of no fly zones and buffer zones–at best, arming the rebels with anti-aircraft and anti tank weaponry.
The UN, America and NATO MUST intervene as we no longer live in a nationalistic society. The world is too connected and too small to allow such massacres to occur.
Syria is not Iraq. The people in Iraq were forced into democracy and getting rid of Sadaam by an outside force. Here, the people want Assad out and are ready to embrace democracy.
The very least the u.s. should do and i think senator MCcain touched on this is a no fly zone more specifically around turkey iraq(maybe) and jordan. Turkey seems more plausible. To at the very least help get the rest of the refugees out of harm's way.
Yeah stay out of Syria and let the Iranian and hizbollah terrorists from Lebanon together with the Syrian regime prevail and control the area and threat the whole world with their terror. Why should we stop them this trio is just the main source of terror in this world that is it no big deal… stay out stupid?
EU and USA mind-control many politicians, businesspeople with small implanted devices and wireless connection. This is also valid for airplain pilots. In this way they control other countries and markets.
How can the U.S. stand by while thousands of inncocent civilians are being killed? No, massacred! What happened to standing up for what's right? Let's just not make the same mistake we did with Viet Nam. Ever. Go in it to win it.
@ Hot Carl – Uh, questions for you – What business does the USA have in Syria? Also, what business did the USA have in Vietnam and Iraq? You want the answer? The USA needs to keep it's nose out of other world countries' affairs. Why else do you think we're are as hated as we are around the world? The USA needs to STOP policing the world, once and for all. We will never turn the Middle Eastern region into a full-blown democracy. This will never happen with all the practicing radical Islamic terror groups out in that region. Believe me when I tell ya !! I've been in that area and it ain't no picnic !!
If the US takes any overt action in Syria, you can bet that the Mossad will be close behind.
Any US action will be seen as a prelude to an Israeli take-over, either openly, or through Syrian surrogates.
Israel will implement long-standing plans to colonize Syria, just like they did in Lebanon.
Who is this "fareed Zakaria" nobody? This ugly lizard face loser is spewing the same JewNN "stay out of syria, its for israel's security" bs. go back to india or pakistan you superficial infantile minded nitwit.
USA sent ships there to spy and monitor. USA does dirty work for Israel, USA and Israel support Assad there is a reason USA didn't even want to stop Assad's jets. And who shot down Turkish jet? I think Turkey needs to start thinking aggressive imperialistic behavior. Even against USA and Israel. Go to the end lets see where the tunnel brings us.
US, out of Syria.
The dual-loyalist policymakers in Washington are pushing to remove Assad because Assad has become more aggressive in the past years in demanding the return of the Golan Heights which Israel took when Israel STARTED the 1967 war. Furthermore, Golan Heights supplies 1/3 of Israel's fresh water supply!!!!!!
If there is a law that requires the policymakers in Washington to send their family members to Syria to fight the war, I wonder what kind of reaction they would have.
Unlike all the other countries, the US has the resources and ability to mold this part of the world for it's interests and security. Countries like China and Russia want to do the same but can only bluff about it. Having them or Iran exert their influence in the region will only continue to give the US problems in the future.
Assad is evil, but so are those rebels (Islamic brotherhood). Minorities are screwed now with Assad, but they will be screwed a lot more when that Islamic brotherhood is in power. When USA would go in, they will all turn on USA.
Please don't harmfull the people just give them peace and freedom . The harmful çann't give peace and freedom. And war cann't make peace and enjoying live.-all people need happy live and happy country and don't need suffering and dangerouse so please don't more use the policy harmful just make peace country !!!!my request from in my heart and tear !!!!
Are you kidding..... Why do you stand by and do nothing as if you have your head in the sand.
They if the current regime stands will be worse than ever... This is a poeple who have lived in fear
and being scared forever. Once they try we should do anything possible to HELP.
It's really disappointed what Mr. Zakaria wanted to drive the readers. It's really disappointed the misleading that Zakria insists to follow when he talks or writes on the Syrian crisis.
What is going on in Syria is a real revolution against the worse dictatorship in the world but the Syrian people are fighting alone. What is going on in Syria is a real battle against Iran and Hizbullah who support the Syrian regime. What is going on in Syria is a historical battle between the tyranny and the freedom. Shame on the United States when its media and politics talk all the time about the values of democracy and freedom but do nothing for the Syrian people who fight for their freedom and democracy. Shame on the united stated when it lets the Syrian regime kill it's people and do massacres without any solidarity with the victims...
The USA will get blamed bor all the bloodshed ocurring in Syria at this time. Both sides blame us now. We are the ogre in every syrians night mare. Sorry Mr. Abboud, the USA has lost all interest in supporting regimes or regime change. Far too expensive and no gains for the USA. Let's keep our money soldiers, and equipment home and rebuild the infrastructure, social structures and all sectors of our educational system. Take care of ourselves and then we can learn how to really help others.
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