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Situation:
2 year long civil war
100k+ dead
2 million refugees
6 million displaced
Side 1: Bashar Al-Assad
- "President," supported by Russia, China, Iran & Iraq, Hezbollah
Side 2: Various rebel factions
- Some moderate, some radicalized Al-Qaeda fundamentalists
Relevance:
Last month, one side or another used sarin gas on a group of civilians, killing 1,400, of which, 400 were children. Images of aftermath sparked international outcry. Calls for UN intervention occurred, Russia blocks any vote on the Security Council that would authorize action. Eyes turn towards the West for help.
Referencing Obama's position last year that the use of chemical weapons would cross a "red line," people expect the US to lead the charge. As Obama attempted to gain international support, our key military ally, the UK, voted down any military action in Parliament for the first time in 100 years, leaving the US to essentially go it alone.
Obama claims he is ready to launch a "surgical, proportional" strike, using Tomahawk cruise missiles, to punish Assad for his use of chemical weapons, but does not plan to shift the balance in the civil war. But before doing so, he decided to let Congress vote on whether or not to get involved. That vote will take place next week.
What do you think about it?
2 year long civil war
100k+ dead
2 million refugees
6 million displaced
Side 1: Bashar Al-Assad
- "President," supported by Russia, China, Iran & Iraq, Hezbollah
Side 2: Various rebel factions
- Some moderate, some radicalized Al-Qaeda fundamentalists
Relevance:
Last month, one side or another used sarin gas on a group of civilians, killing 1,400, of which, 400 were children. Images of aftermath sparked international outcry. Calls for UN intervention occurred, Russia blocks any vote on the Security Council that would authorize action. Eyes turn towards the West for help.
Referencing Obama's position last year that the use of chemical weapons would cross a "red line," people expect the US to lead the charge. As Obama attempted to gain international support, our key military ally, the UK, voted down any military action in Parliament for the first time in 100 years, leaving the US to essentially go it alone.
Obama claims he is ready to launch a "surgical, proportional" strike, using Tomahawk cruise missiles, to punish Assad for his use of chemical weapons, but does not plan to shift the balance in the civil war. But before doing so, he decided to let Congress vote on whether or not to get involved. That vote will take place next week.
What do you think about it?
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