Evidence of Failure
in Syria
There has
been much debate on whether or not Syria is heading for “failed state” status
or not. From lecture, we learned that evidence of “failure” could be seen in
human rights abuses, lack of civil rights, fractionalization, and civil war;
many of these can be seen within Syria. First off, since the outbreak of the
Syrian Revolution in March 2011, the international community has been weary and
cautious when it comes to getting involved in Syria. There are many within the
international community, including the former UN envoy to Syria Mr. Brahimi,
who believes that Syria might become the next Somalia. Thousands of people are
being killed, cities are being destroyed, massive human rights violations, bombs
are being used, and millions are forced to flee their homes. Mr. Brahimi said,
“Both the Syrian government and the opposition had committed war crimes “every
day” (BBC). This is by far evidence of positive changes. In fact, the conflict
in Syria leaves room to destabilize countries close to Syria, which comes with
obvious drawbacks to the world. Mr. Brahimi also says, unless there is real,
sustainable effort to work out a political solution, “there is serious risk
that the entire region will blow up” (The Telegraph).
How much
killing will occur before this conflict is resolved? It seems like an endless
discussion. Bloodshed in the Middle East seems to steal headlines every other
week, but is the end in sight is the real question. From my perspective, I
believe that there must be a way to
stop the killings and the destruction. I do not know if replacing President
Bashar al-Assad is the solution to ending the conflict, but I do think that
unless an orderly political transition takes place, Syria will continue its
path to becoming a “failed state” if it’s not already. In discussion we talked
about whether or not the United States should become involved in Syria, and
while I have my own beliefs about that, I do think that unless the
international community steps up to encourage a more stable transition of
power, and encourages democratic leadership, thousands of lives will be lost
everyday if we all sit and do nothing, and that’s the reality of the situation.
“People are struggling to obtain basic life needs” and as much as the U.S. and
other countries are hesitant to get involved, there will be no end in sight, no
peace for the innocent civilians in Syria, unless there is some push from the
outside (Washingtonpost).
When we
turn to Washington to see what there “plan” is for this conflict, it seems that
the Obama administration does not want to play a visible role in the conflict.
There are obviously many reasons for this decision, many that we do not read or
hear about, but it seems as though Americans are tired of trying to “govern
war-torn countries.” So, there will be no boots on the ground, no “no-fly
zones”, no big shipments of U.S. arms (Foreignpolicy). But, since there is a
threat of chemical weapons waging in Syria, Obama says that intervening is in
the “United States’ national security interest” because chemical weapons in
Syria are a future threat to the U.S. and its allies. Instead of putting
American boots on the ground, U.S. military action will be limited, and only to
deter the use of chemical weapons and degrade Assad’s capabilities (CNN).
It seems
the longer this conflict goes on for, the more Syria comes closer to being a
“failed state,” something that is difficult to reverse. I think if the
international community jumps on board to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis
that is destroying Syria, the world can start to figure out policies to help
the Syrian people. There is much to be done, and I don’t think the
international community can sit back and watch the conflict go on much longer.
Ellie Silverman: I agree with your argument that the international community must intervene in order to save Syria from becoming an absolute failed state. The most troubling part for me is, like you mentioned, the seemingly lack of direction from the Obama administration. Although the administration recognizes the severe threats and humanitarian crisis, it contradicts itself by reaffirming that no American boots will be on the ground, etc. There have been way too many lives lost and cities destroyed for the U.S. to stand idly by.
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