Selective Intervention

The uprising in Syria is nearing a year in length and the world outside its borders continues to watch, both horrified at the death toll yet unwilling to step in to stand up for the people's rights.  I am not advocating a military operation by any one nation, but at the same time, when one looks at the world's intervention in Libya, it raises questions about why we are not doing more to help out the suffering people of Syria.  The situation is akin to that of Libya, an entrenched dictator for decades, suppressed freedom for the people, and a deep yearning for change amongst a good portion of the population.   So what is the difference that is keeping us out of Syria yet drew us into the conflict in Libya?  The Assad regime is in its second generation of iron fisted rule, around 40 years of tyranny, and the Syrian people continue to question why nothing is being done to help their cause.  In Libya, world powers enforced a no-fly zone, supplied rebels with technology to help defeat Qaddafi, and in the end the people were able to overthrow their leader and come out victorious.  Granted, the transitional road of building a new government will be long and hard, but the people are in control now as they wanted to be and the world is now back out and at a safe distance.  Is it because Assad has not quite killed enough people to warrant an intervention or is it because not nearly as much oil flows out of Syria as flows out of Libya?  When watching the news last night, the main question being voiced by the people of Syria is "why has no one come to our aid?"  At this point I am beginning to wonder the same thing. 

I know that technically, it is because the U.N., with all their dilly dallying, can not become unified over this issue.  Whatever options are brought to the table have so far been shot down by Russia and China.  Lets be honest here, who the hell are Russia and China to have a say anyway?  Lets look at their track record here for a second.  China routinely silences any dissent within their own country and probably looks at Syria with a sympathetic eye thinking that the only difference between them is the violence.  But even the violence is questionable on China's part.  They simply keep their violence under super tight lock and key, twist the truth to their own benefit, and keep on trucking, knowing that the world will not do anything to stop them.  Russia for their part has a mostly dysfunctional government with questionable election proceedings and has their own checkered history of doing what they want, where they want, even in foreign countries.  So, that being said, I know the reason they have a say is because they hold seats of power within the U.N., but maybe its time to say to hell with both of you and continue with an intervention in Syria.  Trust me, I know the politics are complicated and to push either Russia or China to the sidelines and say that their voice isn't worth a damn would bring about more trouble.  Even the Arab League recognizes the need to intervene on behalf of the Syrian people, yet nothing consequential has yet been done.  At what point do we draw the line.  When do we say that enough ten year olds have been killed in the cross fire that something needs to be done?  At what point is enough blood shed that we say a line has been crossed?  How long can the world sit by and watch a dictator kill his own people simply because he wants to stay in power?

I don't believe that violence is the answer to anything, but how can you combat a violent regime without violence?  How do you pressure an individual to stop killing his own people?  Is strict economic sanctions enough to pressure him into stopping or will it just push him to drive harder to overcome the protests and uprisings?  I don't have the answer and frankly I wouldn't want to be in the position where I had to come up with an answer, but we are reaching a point where Assad may just kill everyone in his path if it means he gets to stay in power.  How can non-violent actions against a violent dictator work?  I know in theory it shouldn't matter and that the blood will be on ASSad's hands, but how many people would die in the process?  It is sad to me that with the protesters in Syria wondering why the world is just watching them that we can't figure out a way to put a hold on the violence and bring Assad to some peaceful resolution.  The U.N., NATO and the world needs to step up their efforts to bring this situation under control.  The situation is volatile and perhaps they don't care as much about Syria because they don't have a nuclear program like Iran does.  Who gives a crap about a nuclear program when people are dying in an attempt to get more freedom for them and their children.  It is time that Assad is brought under control, the killing stopped, and peace brought Syria.  I only hope something is figure out before too many more people are killed.  Every day that goes by without something being done is another day where people will die for freedom.  Let us look past the politics and look instead at human life.