Over 250,000 Syrians are already dead. Over 2 million are refugees. Why are the leaders of the United States so determined to keep this ugly war going?
US media gives the impression that the conflict began because of actions by the Syrian government. This is false. Since 2011, the United States and its gulf state allies have been pouring billions of dollars into a violent insurgency against the Syrian government. This insurgency has nothing to do with the peaceful protests that took place during the “Arab Spring.”
Foreign Backed Terrorists
Many of the fighters, seeking to overthrow the Syrian government by kidnapping, torturing, bombing, are not even Syrian. From Syria’s Turkish and Jordanian borders, extremists from throughout the region and the world have been amassing and crossing over into a previously peaceful country, armed with US made weapons.
BBC published a “guide to the Syrian rebels” documenting that Takfiri religious extremists are clearly dominant force among the anti-government fighters. Fighters from as far away as Malaysia have been arrested.
US weapons have found their way to the hands of the Al-Nusra Front, previously known as “Al-Queda in Syria.” General David Petreaus has said in testimony before the US Congress that he supports sending them arms.
ISIS emerged from among the mass of violent takfiri extremists who have been armed, trained, and funded by the US and its allies. The horrors of ISIS are made possible by continued US flow of arms to extremists.
The extremists who seek to overthrow the Syrian government do not have the support of the population. 80% of the Syrian population currently lives in areas controlled by the government.
The Syrian government was recently re-elected in the country’s first democratic election. Speaking at the United Nations, Judy Bello described the Syrian vote she witnessed saying: “Observing the popular support for the Syrian election was a moving experience. The people voted from their hearts. Here in the West … little more than 50 percent of the population votes. The overwhelming response of the people inside and outside of Syria sent a powerful message to the world of loyalty to their country and to the government that is currently safeguarding it.”
A New Hope
A new hope has come. Russia has escalated its support of the legitimate, popular, and internationally recognized Syrian government. Russia is moving in to fight against ISIS and restore peace.
This war could soon be over. The millions of refugees could soon come home. Soon, Syrians may be able to walk down the street or drive on the highways without fear. Families can be re-united, as those who have been forcibly conscripted by the insurgents, including many children, are able to go home.
The military strength of Russia’s military is internationally recognized. They have the potential to end this conflict, and make Syria the peaceful country it was prior to 2011.
With an end to this war finally in site, why are the leaders of the United States now air-dropping more and more weapons to Anti-government, extremist forces?
Humanity wants this ugly war to end. However, some very powerful forces are committed to prolonging this ugly episode of killing.
Caleb Maupin is a political analyst and activist based in New York. He studied political science at Baldwin-Wallace College and was inspired and involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”.
