The Issue: Whether President Obama’s decision to provide arms to Syrian rebels is in the nation’s interest.
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While the mess in Syria is a collective stain on the conscience, I’m not a fan of Amir Taheri’s solution (“Will O Finally Lead?” PostOpinion, June 14).
In urging us to reject the “dangerous abdication of US leadership across the board,” Taheri is ignoring the possibility that arming the rebels will make matters worse for the millions of Syrians whose lives are put in jeopardy by the civil war.
A brokered solution will be difficult to achieve, as both sides will be hard-pressed to find shared ground.
What’s needed are slow steps to build a cycle of trust. Doubling down on an international effort to oust Bashar al-Assad will shatter any chance of negotiation.
It is undesirable to give a murderous regime any power whatsoever, but an all-out rebel victory is not in our best interests.
Adding arms and picking winners from losers with little information is simply irresponsible.
Let’s instead put our capital behind a lasting peace. Ross Marchand
Manalapan, NJ
In response to Taheri, I think that getting further involved in the civil war in Syria is not leadership — it’s utter foolishness.
Who made us policeman of the world? Getting into another war in the Middle East will lead to further disasters.
Howard Feldman
The Bronx
President Obama apparently has decided to get us involved in the Syrian sectarian war.
This is a lose-lose situation for us. No matter which side we take, we will be despised by other religious and ethnic groups. We have no allies or friends in this war. To risk our people and spend our money is a travesty. This is one we must sit out and let our enemies fight by themselves.Alan J. Winters
Bellaire, Texas
It looks like Obama is following Bill Clinton’s lead. When things get too hot in the White House and the scandals keep piling up, start a war. Clinton did when the Monica Lewinsky shenanigans didn’t go away: He bombed Serbia.
Now Obama wants to send aid to Syrian rebels.
Imposing a no-fly zone is how it started in Iraq. Body bags eventually followed.
Obama would do better facing up to the scandals surrounding him rather than have our military die for people who could be our enemy. The so-called rebels are awash with Muslim fanatics, who, if they took over, would be worse than the devil that exists there now.
Where are all the peace-loving liberals while this is going on? I guess they only hate war when a member of the other party is in power.
Ernest Ricci
Scranton, Pa.