Why we should go into Syria

Dana Kravitz

GVPT200

10/24/13

Blog Post 3

In recent news, there is a large heated debate as to whether it is right or wrong to intervene in Syria. I myself went back and forth on the issue, and though I see why, for personal interest reasons, we would not intervene I believe that it is important, for humanitarian reasons, that we do. In Radwan Ziadeh’s New York Times argument, The West Must Finally Respond, he makes compelling points as to why the U.S. should intervene for humanitarian reasons. I believe intervention is necessary because of the power Assad has gained, the morality of the situation, and the responsibility of the UN as a whole.

            Assad has not been held accountable for any of his actions so far. He has escaped all responsibility for his illegal activities. If Assad does not believe that the international community is serious about their threats then he will not stop and continue to kill people. And why would he believe them when no one has made any serious moves. The UN will not back the intervention in Syria because they know that China and Russia will veto it. Since they refuse to intervene “this made Assad feel immune to any international action against him.” This is what gave him the “confidence with every step he took toward committing additional levels of violence against the Syrian people.” As the international community exerts no power, Assad gains more and more and that is why it is important to act on the issue.

            We must intervene because it is the right thing to do ethically. People are being hurt and killed and morally the United States should want to help as the free world. If a state is not going to protect its own people someone has to. It immoral to sit idly by while innocent people are being gassed by their own government. Though negotiation would be the ideal way to deal with the issue, diplomacy had not worked for a year now and it is time to take action. The Syrians have made their intentions clear and it is our responsibility as a democratic nation to prevent this atrocity going any further. The gassing of the people and aerial bombardment of Syrian rebels is a clear human right violation.

            Though I have said that it is the United States responsibility to step in, I believe it is important to highlight that this the responsibility of international community and not just the U.S. In order to make a real impact on Syria it needs to be a collaborative effort. The UN’s Responsibility to Protect should be enough to have them intervene. Some argue that the mass killings are not on a large enough scale to apply. But, R2P should not be about protecting people after everyone is dead but to protect the people of Syria by preventing it from happening.

            I believe it is important to intervene in Syria because of Assad’s rising confidence, it's question of morality, and the UN’s the responsibility to do so. I see why people and states would not want to intervene because of personal interests that they do not feel it are worth losing but, I think that sometimes humanitarian efforts are more important than personal gain.