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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe correct reason not to intervene in Syria
At least not to the extent it knocks off Assad:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alawites
The problem is, as soon as the rebels win, the massacres of Alawites will start. In the ME, the Sunni population has been whipped into a frenzy from the pics of what Assad has done to them. Revenge will be the very first thing on their mind. Do we really want to be the ones who open the door to that sort of slaughter?
So, I really do hope the strikes are just a pinprick. The balance of power there needs to be maintained just to keep the lid from blowing completely off. The real work needs to be done with Russia and Iran via diplomacy, to get Assad to the table and then do the super hard work of figuring out how to get Syria to a point where everyone can live, if not with each other, then at least next to each other without anything more than an occasional village massacre. Things could get a lot worse than that. A lot worse. Letting Russia have its client in the Arab ME is worth avoiding the hell that awaits if the balance is tipped too far towards the rebels.
MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)e.g., Christians. Whom will we bomb when the ethnic cleansing begins?
leveymg
(36,418 posts)"Nobody could have imagined such a thing."
leveymg
(36,418 posts)But, Kaplan is wrong - this isn't unprecedented. The French relied upon the old "divide and conquer" Colonial model also employed by the British in their Empire to elevate a favored minority group as a counterbalance to majoritarian power. Minority groups, such as the Alawite under the French occupation of Syria, were often given privileges such as prime spots in the colonial Administration in the countries the French and British occupied. This created resentments among the majority populations. After independence, this became the basis for ethnic conflict and even genocide in places like Rwanda and Sri Lanka.
Benton D Struckcheon
(2,347 posts)leveymg
(36,418 posts)The Syrian Ba'ath party is officially nonsectarian, with a number of ranking members who are Sunni and Christian, but with the Alawite clans under the Assad family in overall control.
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)I'm completely against any strikes at all, "pinprick" or otherwise. I think that it's utterly daft to believe that ANY kind of military action on the part of the U.S. will not worsen the situation all around. And I do mean ALL around - globally and domestically, not just in Syria, and not just in the region.
Benton D Struckcheon
(2,347 posts)Just hoping for the best. n/t
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)when the Repugs in the House begin impeachment proceedings.