Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Is An Attack On Syria Imminent?

Did Bashar al-Assad use chemical weapons against his own people?  This has been the topic of much discussion in Washington recently.  Yesterday, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the use of chemical weapons in attacks on civilians in Syria last week was undeniable and that the Obama administration would hold the Syrian government accountable for a “moral obscenity” that has shocked the world’s conscience.

But exactly what proof do we have that President Assad is the one who did it? Certainly there is evidence to support the conclusion that chemical weapons have been used against civilians in Syria.  (You know - those chemical weapons that didn't exist in Iraq, at least, not after Saddam Hussein moved them into Syria.)  But who is deploying them? The rebels fighting against Assad, currently backed by the Obama administration, are also supported by Al Qaeda - an organization well known for killing innocent people to advance its agenda.  

So did Assad use chemical weapons against his people?  Or did Al Qaeda use chemical weapons against civilians in an attempt to get the United States into the battle against Assad.  Frankly, I don't trust Obama's judgement on this one.  He supported the ouster of Hosni Mubarek in Egypt and his replacement by the Muslim Brotherhood.  Look how well that turned out.  

It's interesting how some on the left are supporting a possible military strike against Assad.  I even heard one liberal say yesterday that Obama should consult Congress about a strike - but maybe not until after it's completed.  Wait...  what? Obama already did that in Libya.  And if we were talking about Bush making an air strike and consulting Congress afterward the liberals would be calling for his impeachment!  

It sounds like we are getting closer to initiating a strike on Syria, against President Assad, most likely with cruise missiles.  Is it the correct thing to do?  Will we hit the correct target(s)?  Those things remain to be seen.

I don't envy the President on this decision.  It will be a difficult one that could hurt his presidency if he does the wrong thing.  But I think he has to do something.  He has already thrown out that gauntlet - he drew the proverbial red line in the sand and challenged Assad to cross it.  Now it's possible Assad did cross the line. Or did he?  That is the million dollar question.


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