It would be
ill-advised indeed for the United States to intervene in the Syrian conflict.
In the recent past America and its
allies have become involved in the following conflicts in the Middle East. When
the outcome of each is examined, it will become evident that the lives lost and
the financial cost were far from worthwhile.
The Persian Gulf
War (1990-1991)
In response to
Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait, American forces with coalition
allies, under orders of President George H. W. Bush, entered Kuwait, expelled
Iraqi forces and liberated the country. Subsequently, U.S. forces pursued the
enemy back into Iraq, but stopped short of marching to Baghdad and deposing
dictator Sadam Hussein. Kuwait was freed but the Iraqi regime still had to be
dealt with.
The Second Gulf
War (1993-2010)
After the first
Gulf War, the Iraqi government failed to cooperate with United Nations' weapons
inspectors. It was reported that Saddam Hussein was amassing deadly chemical
and biological weapons to use against his enemies. Coalition forces, composed
mainly of the military from the United States and Britain, invaded Iraq,
executed the dictator and overthrew his regime. No weapons of mass destruction were
found.
A provisional
Iraqi government was set up, but there was much unrest because of warring
factions within the country itself. In 2010, U.S. combat operations officially
ended. Troops which remained for the support and training Iraqi forces were withdrawn
in December of 2011.
Operation
Enduring Freedom (2001 to the present)
In 2001, the
United States, with coalition forces, invaded Afghanistan, with the intention
of ousting the Taliban government. The conflict has become the longest war in
which America has been involved. The present plan is for all U.S. troops to be
withdrawn by the end of 2014. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have
lost their lives in this war.
Conflict in
Pakistan (2004 to the present)
Nominally an ally
of the United States in the War Against Terror, the citizens of Pakistan are
the most resentful of the American presence of any group in the Middle East.
National forces are in constant conflict with radical Islamic groups within its
borders. Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, was killed in Pakistan in
2011. The country is important because it is the main supply route for oil and
supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan, and it possesses nuclear weapons. The
country is a major recipient of American foreign aid.
Intervention in
Libya (2011)
Under the
direction of the United Nations, America and its allies intervened in the
Libyan civil war, helping rebel forces overthrow dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Gaddafi was killed and a new Islamic government was set up. Islam is the
religion of the majority of Libyans and there are continuing problems due to
armed groups of extremists who disagree with policies of the present
government.
The outcome of
earlier interventions in the Middle East has been:
2. Tremendous
financial cost at a time when America cannot afford it.
3. Resentment and
ill will toward America and its citizens by those countries where the
intervention has occurred.
4. The continuing
threat of acts of terrorism on the homeland because of this resentment and ill
will.
Except for the
death of Osama bin Laden and the liberation of Kuwait, it could be argued that
nothing of value has been achieved by previous American interventions in the
Middle East.
The majority of
people in the area have been Muslim for centuries. Unfortunately, there are
extreme elements in all religions. Most Middle Eastern people are accustomed to
the laws, traditions and customs of Islam. This will change only when they
themselves decide to change it.
Democracy cannot
be crammed down the throats of the citizens of any nation. It's high time
Western nations accepted that fact.
