Weekend Economists Get Syri-ous August 30-September 2, 2013

[xchrom]

8. The Obama Administration Isn't Answering The Most Important Question About Attacking Syria

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-obama-administration-is-answering-the-wrong-questions-on-syria-2013-8

There was something really weird about the Obama Administration's message on Syria today: It was singularly focused on making the case that Syria really did use chemical weapons, and that our intelligence is right this time, unlike in Iraq.

I believe the Administration on this intel. But they are failing to explain why it follows that we should launch a military strike on Syria. What do they think our intervention will do to reduce human suffering in Syria or anywhere else?

Is the idea that our “limited and tailored” intervention will directly interfere with Assad’s chemical weapons capability? Do we hope that it will serve like a spanking, dissuading him from using chemical weapons again? Is the hope that a strike will discourage other wayward dictators from abusing their people, lest they get bombed too?

So far, all we're getting are variants on "something must be done."



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-obama-administration-is-answering-the-wrong-questions-on-syria-2013-8#ixzz2dXf4UGNN