The Situation in Syria Grows Dire

The Syrian Government, led by the Assad regime, seems intent on murdering its own people.  Armed intervention could be very dangerous, due to the Iranian influence on Syria, but at the very least, the world, especially the Arab world, must keep the pressure up on Syria to stop.  The United States can do its part by encouraging its Arab allies to put pressure on Syria.

Power for the People

A tragedy of despotism is occurring as we blog.  In places like Syria and Libya, leaders abuse and kill their own people in order to increase their power and authority.  This, we can all realize, is wrong.  What we need to do, as members of this nation, or any nation, is to encourage our government to increase the pressure on these nations to reform and change their ways.  Let not this generation be remembered as the one that condoned this murder.  We need to stand up and support the movement for free and fair elections, and governments of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

More on Foreign Policy

Instability in many nations leads to an influx in terrorists.  In order to combat this, we look at the root cause, so that we may hope to understand why this is happening. 

Instead of intruding into other countries, we must respect their sovereignty and push for reform.  In many instances, there are cruel dictators that will not reform or negotiate.  Conflict might be inevitable, no matter how much negotiation goes on.  Intervention will occur, but what then?  Before going in, powers need to have a game-plan on what will happen afterwards.  Concrete planning and collaboration with the locals on how to make their lives better and more peaceful is needed.  Nation-building is often frowned upon as policy, yet this may be needed.  Military action with no back end involvement will lead to the destruction of order in a country, bring the nation, and consequently the entire region, into chaos.

We need to work with the people of other countries, planning for strong, open, effective governments, accountable to the people, and free of corruption.

Nuclear Weapons

The US should not expect the rest of the world to forgo nuclear weapons when they themselves do not want to abandon their own policies.  The US should take the lead and reduce, not necessarily eliminate, but reduce their nuclear weapons supply and not make any new ones.  In turn, the US should encourage others to do the same.  Others will not do so unless someone will take the lead, someone who does have a vested interest in nuclear nonproliferation.  It should be the United States who takes the lead, as a major nuclear superpower.  We cannot let nuclear weapons get in the hands of terrorists; this is understood.  What we should work on is not a world where allies of the US have nuclear weapons and the rest don't, but as little countries as possible have nuclear weapons.  Also, regarding missile shields, it is not a good thing to do and threatens other nations nearby, so that they are extremely uncomfortable with US presence.  Many countries that are near it oppose it, and with good reason.  Since we would not like missiles near our country, we should in turn honor others’ requests and not install missiles without their permission.

Foreign Policy

War is only necessary if every avenue of peace has failed.  We must exploit every method of peace before turning to military action.  Military action is an absolute last resort.  We must not endanger our soldiers or the citizens of other nations by pulling ourselves into war.  War is avoidable and should not happen except under very specific circumstances.  These circumstances are that if an enemy makes a direct attack on US soil and is not open to any peaceful discussions or actions.  Then, it may be necessary to go to war, but one should manage the war wisely.  War costs too much money, and a long drawn out war has a large, negative effect on the deficit and the economy.  War does not necessarily ensure peace.  Oftentimes, escalated conflict can throw the entire world into disarray.  We must think about those affected by are actions.  There are families on the ground, ordinary families, just trying to live a life and provide food for their families.  One bomb can destroy that in an instant. 

Peace

This is a difficult and trying time in the world.  War is raging. People are hungry, sick, and devoid of hope.  What we do have is a sense of human dignity that unites us all.  Our belief in good and our desire to help others transcends all barriers and boundaries.  It bursts through walls and turns them to shambles.

Yet the iron grips of tyranny and oppression have not left this world.  We still live in a dangerous world, as evidenced by numerous wars and killings.  We need to tell the politicians and leaders who endorse this conflict that we will not take it anymore.  The world stands much more to gain from peace than from war.  If we join together as brothers and sisters, we can rid this world of evil.  We need to join together and help each other, help the world become a better place.