The Prevailing Plan in the Middle East
As the USA and other countries debate bombing Syria, or getting them to give up their chemical weapons (do they really think so?), they may think they will change the course of things. Not likely. I’ll go so far as to suggest that whether the USA strikes Syria or not, it won’t change much in the big picture. Two reasons: First, the big picture is too big and too complicated and too intractable for any outsider to change without massive commitment and carnage. Americans have come to realize that from Afghanistan and Iraq. Second, neither our nation nor any other…
What to Do about Syria?
The Syrian government bombs its own people with chemical weapons. The USA weighs whether to intervene. Yes: Freedom fighters struggle for democracy. No: Islamic militants are thoroughly infiltrated in the conflict and will likely take power if we cause the rebels to win. Yes: Assad’s actions are reprehensible, and he must be taken out. No: He treats Christians and other religious minorities well, and they’d be wiped out if he falls from power. Yes: How can we stand by watching the atrocities and do nothing? No: How can we get enmeshed in yet another intractable Middle Eastern conflict? Look at…
