The international order
I think using chemical weapons is despicable, and that even stopped clocks show the proper time twice a day. And it's precisely because the U.S. is one of the world's superpowers (the other being China) that they are the ones who can do something about it. The fact that they themselves have committed war crimes (supplying chemical weapons and targeting coordinates to Saddam, extra-legal drone attacks in Afghanistan, numerous illegal wars) does not invalidate everything that they say or do. It's precisely because they are a bully that their actions and threats of force can stop Syria. Canada or Sweden would have no sway.
I wish such an action would get the backing of the U.N. Security Council, but that's assuming that the Security Council acts in the world's highest interest. But that's a joke, all 5 veto nations use their vote for their own political interests first.
Chemical weapons are no joke, and they are worse weapons than conventional weapons. They can indiscriminately target large civilian populations with little effort and skill, and cause immense suffering and widespread deaths, reaching into the homes of everyone in the areas targeted.
Unless someone can demonstrate that the Syrian regime was not behind the chemical attacks we saw recently, I (reluctantly!!) support the use of whatever force necessary to dissuade, and if necessary, stop Syria from using chemical weapons.
Sigh.
I wish such an action would get the backing of the U.N. Security Council, but that's assuming that the Security Council acts in the world's highest interest. But that's a joke, all 5 veto nations use their vote for their own political interests first.
Chemical weapons are no joke, and they are worse weapons than conventional weapons. They can indiscriminately target large civilian populations with little effort and skill, and cause immense suffering and widespread deaths, reaching into the homes of everyone in the areas targeted.
Unless someone can demonstrate that the Syrian regime was not behind the chemical attacks we saw recently, I (reluctantly!!) support the use of whatever force necessary to dissuade, and if necessary, stop Syria from using chemical weapons.
Sigh.