A Look Back at the Syrian Conflict from 5 Years Ago

A look back at the Syrian Conflict 2012

The Syrian revolution movement began alongside the Arab Spring in March 2011. The state of Syria had been ruled by the Assad family for two generations, with their current ruler Bashar al-Assad .(Syria profile. (2012, November 20).BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703995) Rebels found their courage and audacity to speak out against their regime from other Arab states doing similar things in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Although conflicts throughout the region occurred, they varied in extremity; the case in Syria could be classified as one of the most extreme. Deaths caused by the conflict have reached over forty thousand, plus thousands of other people have fled the country as refugees to bordering states. (Syria: Refugees brace for more bloodshed. (n.d.).News24. Retrieved December 8, 2012, from http://www.news24.com/World/News/Syria-Refugees-brace-for-more-bloodshed-20120312). Recently, the Obama administration has come out publicly drawing the line of international tolerance with the use of chemical weapons by either side. (Syria: Refugees brace for more bloodshed. (n.d.).News24. Retrieved December 8, 2012, from http://www.news24.com/World/News/Syria-Refugees-brace-for-more-bloodshed-20120312). What other options remain for the Obama Administration? With a situation as complex as the Syrian Revolution currently taking place, a full understand of the situation on the ground will lead us to more efficiently answer our primary question. As well, understanding the key players, the root causes and then finding the role of the U.S. from these answers will help. Finally, we will look at two proposals for solutions to the conflict, with the goal of halting the violence and preventing future violence.

Starting with some of the key plays in the conflict, we will find the Assad family at the head of this with his state police and military force backing him. The opposition to his rule has come from many angles. The main coalition against his power is the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces . The opposition forces are supported by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Kurdish Democratic Union Party. While on the other hand, Assad’s regime is supported by Iran, Hezbollah and Shi’ite militant groups.

The cause of this conflict has a long history but can be summed up quickly with two broader concepts: the Arab Spring and oppression used under Assad’s rule. The Arab Spring was a time when many Arab citizens rose up against their governments and actively protested. It was one of the first times in history for this to occur on such a level with four governments falling across the region. The Arab Spring can be seen as a catalyst to the conflict erupting in Syria. While the real reasons for the uprising lay within a historical context of oppression and harsh governmental policies. Regardless of the reasoning behind it, the problem exists and the United States, along with the rest of the world, must respond.

The U.S. government has played a role in some of these uprisings, aiding rebels in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen. As well as, the U.S. got more involved militarily, within the revolution in Libya against their tyrant. Our role within the Syrian conflict is far more complex though. Many people criticize any involvement by the U.S. because of our history of supporting rebels today and having them turn against us once they have their freedom. However, the United States has joined in some efforts to stall the Assad regime from massacring the opposition forces. (Syria’s opposition chooses president, formally signs coalition deal. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2012, from http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/11/12/249032.html). The U.S. has joined the E.U. and other Arab Gulf States in condemning the use of violence against protesters. Although the conflict is classified as a non-international conflict, we live in a much globalized world and it is a global humanitarian issue (at the very least). (Syria is in civil war - Red Cross. (2012, July 15).BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18849362). But what else can the United States do to produce the results it’d like to see within Syria?

First, as Obama has warned, the use of chemical weapons by the state or rebels will draw in the United States to intervene. This would be the most effective way in halting the violence in a quick manner. However, many Americans dread getting caught up in another situation in the Middle East after the disaster that was called the Iraq War. Leaving the administrations hands slightly tied. Yet, I think the use of chemical weapons will be enough justification for the American populous to accept U.S. intervention. I believe this process of intervention has already started, with 12 American war ships waiting on the Syrian coast. Unless the conflict can come to a close on its own, America will be intervening with military force. But this option should be treated as a last resort. What are ways we could have halted it or prevented it all together?

One proposal I believe would have helped halt similar conflicts earlier, would have been crippling international sanctions. In this particular case, this option was stopped by China and Russia for “fears of making the conflict an international one. ”
(Russia, China vetoes at UN block Syria sanctions - World - CBC News. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2012, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/07/19/syria-attacks-thursday.html). The other key option for the U.S. to prevent a conflict like this in the future would be early and correct economic assistance. Had the U.S. supplied the rebels within Syria with enough early economic assistance, I believe the conflict would already be over. Instead, the rebels are often described as weak and uncoordinated. The downside to this option is with early assistance brings higher risks of assisting the wrong side. With the correct intelligence and proper execution, I believe this option to be more ideal than the actual military intervention of having our troops on Syrian soil.

All in all, the situation in Syria remains complex and deadly. As the war rages on, options for the United States to get involved will slowly dwindle down to nothing other than brining our military to the fight. With the right political maneuvers from this point on, hopefully, this option can be avoided or at least done so with international support, unlike in 2003. Looking into the future, we must recognize there are earlier and more efficient methods to stopping international conflicts than using our military directly and unilaterally. Looking and assessing the options available depending on the situation is key to any early interventions success.

Cheers,
J

P.S. Did you enjoy this read? If so, I can make more soon! :) :) Cheers!