American Foreign Policy towards the Syrian Civil War
Elyssa McClain
PSCI 356
Kramer
March, 18 2014
National Security Council Memorandum on the Civil War in Syria
The Middle East has been a location of great interest and involvement by the United States of America since the end of the Second World War. With our presence and involvement over the recent years touching a vast majority of the Middle East, it is of no surprise the United States’ immense concern with the current crisis of the Syrian civil war. Syria’s recent use of chemical weapons and crimes against humanity has put the international community in a position of concern and uncertainty as to how to react to the unacceptable breach of international law.
Statement of the Issue There has been an ongoing debate as to how the United States of America should address and handle the current civil war in Syria. The debate originates from Obama’s frustration in regards to supporting the United States’ current involvement in the issues of the Middle East, and whether or not taking action against al-Assad and his regime would be too costly to our nation. One of the chief criticisms of our great nation is that we act too boldly as the world’s policeman. In our historical involvement and insertion in other nation’s issues, we have developed the reputation of being too dominantly involved in issues that are not our own nor that directly pertain to threats of U.S. national interest. Unfortunately, aspects of international politics and world dynamics are not one dimensional and actions that do not directly affect our nation may indirectly affect our alliances or positions in neighboring parts of the world. There are many factors to consider in approaching the current civil war in Syria; this paper will address the question of what U.S. foreign policy should be towards Syria during this time of internal conflict? I will approach this question by including a brief historical synopsis of the Syrian- U.S. relationship and the current issues in Syria followed by the
PSCI 356
Kramer
March, 18 2014
National Security Council Memorandum on the Civil War in Syria
The Middle East has been a location of great interest and involvement by the United States of America since the end of the Second World War. With our presence and involvement over the recent years touching a vast majority of the Middle East, it is of no surprise the United States’ immense concern with the current crisis of the Syrian civil war. Syria’s recent use of chemical weapons and crimes against humanity has put the international community in a position of concern and uncertainty as to how to react to the unacceptable breach of international law.
Statement of the Issue There has been an ongoing debate as to how the United States of America should address and handle the current civil war in Syria. The debate originates from Obama’s frustration in regards to supporting the United States’ current involvement in the issues of the Middle East, and whether or not taking action against al-Assad and his regime would be too costly to our nation. One of the chief criticisms of our great nation is that we act too boldly as the world’s policeman. In our historical involvement and insertion in other nation’s issues, we have developed the reputation of being too dominantly involved in issues that are not our own nor that directly pertain to threats of U.S. national interest. Unfortunately, aspects of international politics and world dynamics are not one dimensional and actions that do not directly affect our nation may indirectly affect our alliances or positions in neighboring parts of the world. There are many factors to consider in approaching the current civil war in Syria; this paper will address the question of what U.S. foreign policy should be towards Syria during this time of internal conflict? I will approach this question by including a brief historical synopsis of the Syrian- U.S. relationship and the current issues in Syria followed by the
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