I am a veteran, a voter and a Christian. In the next few days and even right now, we are seeing the beginning of genocide in the Northern Syrian province of Idlib.
There are two reasons that the United States and NATO should intervene in this unending tragedy in Syria.
Humanitarian: Many innocent civilians, children, families have been displaced, wounded and killed in the Syrian civil war. How much longer will we stand by and watch a dictator murder the citizens of his country? There are people in need, facing assault from the air and land, that need protection.
Geopolitical: Why is the U.S. and NATO giving Putin’s Russia a free hand in Syria? Putin wants to showcase the military might of Russia. Bombing innocent families with impunity while the world watches in horror but does nothing, is a great way to trumpet the growing military strength of Russia.
Letting a bully be a bully just makes the evil stronger.
What should we do?
First, involve NATO member Turkey, which has Russia to the north and Syria to the south. Second, create a “no fly zone” over Idlib similar to what we have done over the Kurdish parts of Northern Syria. Third, get all parties to the conference table and find a non-military solution.
Turkey is in a tough spot, Russia wants to display its military might, and Syrian Dictator Assad wants to prove his iron fist.
If the U.S. and NATO stand for anything, now is the time to act!
Raymond P. Finney
Pagosa Springs
