Excellent letter to the editor on Syria by Peace Action Education Fund board president Mike Keller in 6/20 Washington Post

 In Peace Action, violence, War

The Post argued that U.S. security interests require a “more robust . . . intervention” in the Syrian civil war [“No time

for half-measures,” editorial, June 15]. A better case can be made for avoiding the fray altogether.

 

Sending medium-size and heavy weapons into Syria, with or without the establishment of a no-fly zone, could prolong the violence

and destabilize the country for years even if the Assad regime collapses. There is no way to guarantee that sophisticated

armaments will not fall into the hands of the most radical elements in the rebel camp. The United States’ experience in Afghanistan

suggests caution: The CIA helped give birth to al-Qaeda by supplying weaponry to the mujahideen to fight the Soviet Union.

Plus, in order to control the airspace over Syria, the United States would have to become a belligerent by bombing anti-aircraft

batteries, radar sites and other installations. Employing such force in the absence of a U.N. Security Council resolution

would violate international law and further strain relations with Russia and China.

 

Iraq, Afghanistan and even Libya demonstrated that U.S. military engagement in the Middle East can produce unexpected and

undesirable outcomes. What confidence can Americans have that that entanglement in the sectarian fratricide in Syria would

be different?

 

Michael J. Keller, Silver Spring

The writer is president of the Peace Action Education Fund.

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Showing 3 comments
  • Jerry "Peacemaker"
    Reply

    Does anybody know the real reasons for the violence in Syria? It is like the situation of escalation of fighting is simply a “given.” Please comment so that people will know what the Syria situation is all about. One could guess that natural resources or something of value is a major factor. One is reminded of the final scene of the movie “Full Metal Jacket” where the soldiers are singing the Mickey Mouse theme. Why are their no lengthy debates from both “sides” about the circumstances and differences between people in that region so that people will understand what is really going on? I am talking about televised debates which are 100% thorough.
    Thank you,

  • Klinika dentystyczna
    Reply

    I tend not to leave many responses, however i did a few searching
    and wound up here Excellent letter to the editor on
    Syria by Peace Action Education Fund board president Mike Keller in
    6/20 Washington Post | Peace Action Blog. And I do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright. Could it be only me or does it seem like a few of the comments come across like coming from brain dead folks? 😛 And, if you are posting at additional places, I would like to follow anything new you have to post. Could you make a list of every one of all your communal sites like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?

  • cd printer
    Reply

    I will right away clutch your rss feed as I can’t to find your
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    may just subscribe. Thanks.

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