Originally published on the CGS blog on February 6, 2013.
As the atrocities of Syria continue, the Obama Administration seems to have little to no interest in intervening with the current situation in Syria. More than 60,000 people have been killed and over 650,000 refugees have fled across Syrian borders within the last 22 months—and the numbers continue to grow every day.
United States—as the self-proclaimed leader of the free world—needs to take a more active role in protecting the lives and human rights of Syrian citizens by helping shape a governmental system that supports the needs, interests, and fundamental rights of the Syrian people. This is a difficult role for the United States, but one that we must take the lead on.
Newly sworn-in Secretary of State John Kerry commented that if the United States were to intervene, it would “have to make things better and not worse.” United States intervention, with or without military action, could alter Syria’s future in many drastic ways. But one thing is for sure, Syrian men, women, and children are suffering and we need to take action to support those who are in need.
If neighboring countries do not have the resources to help out the Syrian people and the United States does not take a larger role, what will happen to Syria? How can the United States, or any other country for that matter, intervene without military intervention? What can we do as an international community to assist a dying nation? We want to hear from you: leave a comment in the comments section!
