Six reasons why Americans should be concerned about the Syrian conflict - Polidicks

[QUOTE](CNN) -- In between taking care of their families, working and trying to keep up with everyday life, many Americans have caught at least a couple stories about Syria. Many probably know that clashes between government forces and protesters who want the country's president to relinquish power have become increasingly bloody over the past several months. Much of that violence has been represented in online videos, ostensibly that Syrians have posted, suggesting the slaughter of children and families. It's horrible. No one would argue anything else. But there is violence in many corners of the world. Why should what's happening in Syria be especially important to Americans? It's clear a lot of people think it's not. Several readers reacted to Tuesday's top story on CNN about Syria by commenting: "Zzzzzz not our problem" and "Anyone surprised? *yawn*." "We are afraid to ask this question -- 'Why care?' -- because it's like saying we don't mind that there's a humanitarian crisis happening or that people are suffering," said Hillary Mann Leverett, a Washington-based professor, blogger and one of the nation's foremost Middle East and Syria experts. She is a former National Security Council adviser to President George W. Bush and has interviewed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for a book about Syria authored by her husband, Flynt Leverett, also a Middle East expert. "People have to know it's allowed to take a discussion beyond the human suffering," she said. "There are huge, practical consequences for the United States when it comes to Syria." Like what? CNN asked Hillary Mann Leverett; Joseph Holliday, a former U.S. soldier turned foreign policy analyst; and Robert Zarate, a geopolitical strategist with Capitol Hill experience, to explain why Americans should care about Syria. [quote][B]1. Geography.[/B] Think of Syria as the Middle East's core. When it's weak and destabilized, the body is susceptible to serious injury. Violence in Syria could easily spill into bordering Iraq, where the United States recently ended a war that ran from March 2003 to December 2011 and where U.S. troops and American civilians still work. Beyond Iraq, Turkey, a U.S. ally, borders Syria as do Jordan and Lebanon. If Lebanon is shaken too badly by conflict in Syria, Lebanon could fall into a civil war as it did decades ago, Holliday said. That kind of conflict would spark yet another serious political and diplomatic problem that the United States would inevitably have to address.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE][B]2. Al Qaeda.[/B] The United States' No. 1 enemy would appreciate another failed state from which to operate in the Middle East.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE][B]3. Iran.[/B] Syria supports Iran. Iran has had a contentious relationship with the United States for decades. Remember Bush's "Axis of Evil"? That trifecta was Iran, North Korea and Iraq. "Syria is Iran's arm in the Middle East," Zarate said. "Iran has used Syria as a staging ground to train and support militants who have crossed into Iraq to hurt our troops and to train for other terrorist activities." Each expert CNN spoke with pointed out that Iran has a nuclear program. Whether it has capabilities for nuclear weapons is something the United States and most of the world doesn't know.[/quote] [quote][B]4. Oil prices.[/B] Though Syria produces far less oil than Libya, for example, violence in Syria could affect global oil speculation and prices, Leverett said. Ultimately, that affects how much American consumers pay at the pump.[/quote] [QUOTE][B]5. The economy, stupid.[/B] Leverett and Zarate note that many in the United States may not think about the Iraq war now, but they say it's important not to forget that war cost an estimated $1 trillion. Whether one supports or opposes military intervention in Syria, the costs incurred by any approach will affect the American economy.[/QUOTE] [quote][B]6. Global reputation.[/B] "People around the world are looking for some kind of consistency in our foreign policy, and we've been criticized for not having that, not having anything close to consistency during the Arab Spring," Zarate said. The United States intervened, with NATO leading the way, in Libya. In 2011, Washington supported, at least in words, the Egyptians in their revolt against then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, he said. Each time, the United States argued that those actions were in accordance with America's national values, he said, and its responsibility as a global leader to defend democratic principles.[/quote][/quote] Source: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/10/world/syria-why-care/index.html?hpt=hp_t3[/url]

[quote]4. Oil prices. Though Syria produces far less oil than Libya, for example, violence in Syria could affect global oil speculation and prices, Leverett said. Ultimately, that affects how much American consumers pay at the pump.[/quote] Well then, glorious America, go grab their-----er.... restore peace and democracy in that fallen country!

Hope we largely stay out of it and don't send troops, at the most send some aircraft to support the rebels if they lie about pulling out of the cities.

Goddamn I hate people who need these kind of reason to care while people are being oppressed and executed. It's so goddamn cold.

[QUOTE=Marik Bentusi;35526660]Goddamn I hate people who need these kind of reason to care while people are being oppressed and executed. It's so goddamn cold.[/QUOTE] It doesn't help that every time the US intervenes, we are labeled, "World Police" and, "Oil thieves". Why not have the UK or Germany intervene?

sorry i need a minimum of 7 reasons to acknowledge an argument

[QUOTE=Dark RaveN;35526282]Well then, glorious America, go grab their-----er.... restore peace and democracy in that fallen country![/QUOTE] war used to be about different idealogys not taking resources not for america

[QUOTE=Marik Bentusi;35526660]Goddamn I hate people who need these kind of reason to care while people are being oppressed and executed. It's so goddamn cold.[/QUOTE] Yeah, it's fucked up. Also, as I've just recently heard, Syrian military/soldiers have gone to do raids and arrest campaigns in the village my cousins and family live in. Things are not looking too good.

7. Thousands of people are dying

[QUOTE=Glorbo;35527215]7. Thousands of people are dying[/QUOTE] maybe i can read the article now

[QUOTE=Dark RaveN;35526282]Well then, glorious America, go grab their-----er.... restore peace and democracy in that fallen country![/QUOTE] Yeah because no other country would do the exact same thing

I think it's obvious that this article is directed at people that don't give a fuck about human life. People that do care are already paying attention to what's going on.

Looking at some of the comments on CNN, yesh.

America is so stupid wasting their time in the middle east. America save Syria! There is no winning.

Because our fellow human beings are dying? [QUOTE]Oil Prices.[/QUOTE] Oh right. I'm sure the UK would like to intervene, but given the recent SDSR all we have avaliable is a tomahawk with no warhead and a couple of Typhoons with no weapons or fuel.

It really is quite despicable that your average joe cares more about petrol prices than thousands of people being slaughtered by their own government.

[QUOTE=rnate;35527391]America is so stupid wasting their time in the middle east. America save Syria! There is no winning.[/QUOTE] This isn't really true in this case. Edit: US news outlet urging US people to support intervention is what this is.

Dont worry americans you still wont pay more than I do in the UK.

[QUOTE=Combin0wnage;35526862]It doesn't help that every time the US intervenes, we are labeled, "World Police" and, "Oil thieves". Why not have the UK or Germany intervene?[/QUOTE] I think that the U.S. intervening just reinforces the idea that America just does what it wants, without considering other countries or the consequences. Btw I'm not saying that's what I think about america, but a lot of people have that view, and direct intervention won't help that.

[QUOTE=Scot;35527591]It really is quite despicable that your average joe cares more about petrol prices than thousands of people being slaughtered by their own government.[/QUOTE] Gas prices is a conflict at home, while this is a conflict somewhere else. Out of sight, out of mind. I mean im all for intervention if that means lower gas prices,i mean its 4.35 a god damn gallon.

[QUOTE=Combin0wnage;35526862]It doesn't help that every time the US intervenes, we are labeled, "World Police" and, "Oil thieves". Why not have the UK or Germany intervene?[/QUOTE] Reputations are earned not fabricated. America is so ruled by the 'free market', why wouldn't the world suspect their motives?

how about the hundreds of people being killed each week? oh wait that doesn't matter ps this article is terrible

syria is in iraq right god damn towelheads trying to fuck up american freedom

[QUOTE=Mythman;35527914]Reputations are earned not fabricated. America is so ruled by the 'free market', why wouldn't the world suspect their motives?[/QUOTE] But it's a little unfair to have to call out the US whenever something happens for not doing anything, then complain when they [I]do[/I] It's not like other countries have completely clean slates

[QUOTE=The Calzone;35527966]syria is in iraq right god damn towelheads trying to fuck up american freedom[/QUOTE] fuck yeah buddy i dont care about dem ay rab al qaeda terrists the middle east is doomed and wont ever have peace amerrica should wall it off

[QUOTE=Marik Bentusi;35526660]Goddamn I hate people who need these kind of reason to care while people are being oppressed and executed. It's so goddamn cold.[/QUOTE] it's hard to care about a bunch of arabs dying

[QUOTE=ThePutty;35528015]fuck yeah buddy i dont care about dem ay rab al qaeda terrists the middle east is doomed and wont ever have peace amerrica should wall it off[/QUOTE] fuck wallin them off we gotta nuke them devil warshiping terrorists off the face of the planet and drill the oil after there all dead ignorin a problem never stopped the NAZIS did it no sir thats why America acted first to stop those fuckers weve got to show the world we mean bissness and teach them the meanin of American freedom

[QUOTE=Combin0wnage;35526862]It doesn't help that every time the US intervenes, we are labeled, "World Police" and, "Oil thieves". Why not have the UK or Germany intervene?[/QUOTE]US butt buddies and HURR NAZIS, respectively. Neither would be looked upon any better than the US if they attempted intervention for the aforementioned pathetically weak reasons.

[QUOTE=The Calzone;35528167]fuck wallin them off we gotta nuke them devil warshiping terrorists off the face of the planet and drill the oil after there all dead ignorin a problem never stopped the NAZIS did it no sir thats why America acted first to stop those fuckers weve got to show the world we mean bissness and teach them the meanin of American freedom[/QUOTE] fuck yea! mitt rommey wil show dem arabs who is da BOSS n why WERE THA GREATEST COUNTRY IN DA WORLD! USA USA USA

[QUOTE=CNN;35526203]Each expert CNN spoke with pointed out that Iran has a nuclear program. Whether it has capabilities for nuclear weapons is something the United States and most of the world doesn't know.[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdiGahJItOA"]Except for Leon Panetta, the god damn Secretary of fucking defense you idiots.[/URL] He only clearly stated it in the most simple and distinct terms possible.