The Case Against American Intervention in Syria

photo/Guardian UK

Syrian refugees that fled to a camp in Zatari, Jordan now number approximately 115,000 with another 1.7 million who escaped to another country, according to the United Nations refugee agency. This tragedy illustrates that Syria's ruler, Bashar al-Assad is nothing short of a madman who has no regard for the citizens of his country. The unrest in that region has spread to parts of Turkey and threatens other neighboring countries as well.

Pool/AFP/Mandel Ngan

Secretary of State John Kerry toured the Zatari refugee camp Thursday and was met with strident pleas for help from the United States. This blogger wonders why some of the wealthy Arab nations don't take action against the maniacal despot al-Assad in order to quell the rising disquiet in the region, especially when the refugees expressed concern that the United States had not yet rescued Syria from tyranny. Why, indeed?

America can no longer afford to involve this country's military in conflicts fought in the Middle East when other nations there eschew their own military involvement. I am not referring to monetary support. Instead, I mean what is currently known as human capital-our armed forces. The number of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan totals just under 7,000, but that doesn't tell the entire story. Data about the wounded changes daily because the war in Afghanistan continues, but the number exceeds 50,000 and does not include those suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. Enough already!

While the United States has a role as a world leader, so do other nations that have not involved their countries to the extent that the U.S. has. Frankly, we don't have enough people of fighting age to handle all the pockets of unrest that currently exist in many of the Arab nations. The Boston Marathon bombing and recent thwarted terrorist plots here illustrate the need to pay close attention to our own security. If the National Security Agency can't stop contractor Edward Snowden from revealing secrets, this blogger suggests we have huge gaps in our country's efforts to protect its citizens. The administration and members of Congress must focus attention on this country before attempting to help others, much like the admonition on airlines for parents to place oxygen masks on themselves first and then help their children.

Until the United Nations can garner support for sanctions against al-Assad and western nations join forces with countries in the Middle East willing to do what it takes to topple his regime, America should stay out of Syria. Our country has spread its resources too thin already.