Monday, September 02, 2013

A Long Ways From Consensus

Map of Syria (Washington Post) 
The Washington Post performs a public service by running Syria: the Very, Very Basics. It's helpful to learn a few facts about a country--such as its population is 22.5 million, ten percent of whom are Christians--before the United States starts killing a bunch of its people.

The article doesn't say whether Syria is a threat to the United States, whether the vital interests of the United States are at stake, whether the use of chemical weapons against its own people is sufficient justification for a U.S. military attack, or exactly what's supposed to happen next.

Update: the WaPo lists the five "smartest" arguments, positive and negative, concerning a Syrian intervention.
  • (Against) Intervention could actually help Assad.
  • (For) The norm against chemical weapons is worth preserving.
  • (Against) Strikes would only make things worse.
  • (For) Smart strikes could break the political deadlock.
  • (Against) Strikes would make little difference but to highlight larger U.S. failure.
  • IMHO, before military action is undertaken the arguments in its favor should be overwhelming. Moreover, a clear majority of the American people and their representatives in Congress should be in support. We are a long ways from consensus.

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