Syria - A Classic "No-Win" Morass

I feel sorry for President Obama at this point in history, as whichever way he turns on the thorny matter of Syria, he will be condemned.

It is painful for civilized people to stand by while Syrian civilians, including innocent children, are slaughtered by a savage dictator who will do anything to remain in power.  We know from prior ill-advised military escapades, however, that U. S. force is likely to make matters worse: that entry into Syria's civil war would most certainly gin up renewed anti-American hatred, if not terrorism, and have the potential to light a match to the Middle East tinder box, sparking a regional war.  We also know that any promise of a limited and brief entry into the conflict can be classified as "famous last words".  The only conflict in modern history which went as smoothly and which lasted as briefly as we had anticipated was the Desert Storm operation conducted under President George H. W. Bush.  It was the exception rather than the rule.

Sadly, the Syrian people are doomed, and we may be too if we take the bait and seek to bring stability to a region whose troubles are beyond our ability to repair.

When Arizona Senator John McCain ran for president in 2008, he spoke not of "if" there were to be new military conflicts, but warned that there would unquestionably be "more wars".  Sadly, he was right.  Certainly, we are heading to Syria: so much for any "peace dividend".  Ours shall always be a world torn by violence and pain.