(Post #1 for JN 325)
The conflict in Syria that has been slowly burning for the past two years has exploded into international news recently due to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad allegedly using poison gas to kill 1,500 of his own people a little over two weeks ago. President Obama has since called for military action against Syria, citing their use of chemical weapons being over the “red line.” The President turned the decision to Congress who will be voting as early as Wednesday, according to the latest news from U.S.A. Today on what action the U.S. should take in Syria.
Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar from thedailybeast.com
The President’s decision is one that confuses people and simultaneously makes sense. Obviously a President gassing his own people is cause for serious concern, but Americans are also extremely worried and agitated by the idea of getting involved in another Middle Eastern quagmire of violence. An article from CNN this morning quoted the President comparing the situation in Syria to WWII.
“The people of Europe are certainly familiar with what happens when the international community finds excuses not to act,” said President Obama.
On Sunday, U.S.A. Today released a poll of Congressional members whose votes have started to come in. As per usual, President Obama is facing a lot of resistance in the House. According to the poll’s findings, Democrats and Republicans alike have been voting not to take military action. This decision to enter into military action, which many are firmly referring to as “war,” runs contradictory for a president whose campaign promise at the beginning of his presidency was to get the U.S. out of conflicts in the Middle East (Afghanistan and Iraq).
Some unusual and conflicted supporters have been coming to Obama’s aid. One in particular is Senator John McCain who although supportive of intervention in Syria, has spoken out against the President’s handling of this issue. He even warned of a presidential impeachment in a recent radio interview.
lo & behold 