The US is known to embark on military attacks on regimes accused of gross human rights violations. There are claims that the Obama administration has enough evidence on the use of chemical weapons by Assad’s regime. To many, this justifies an attack on Syria. However, a number of reasons make Syria a trickier case than Iraq and Libya. Firstly, the world is under threats of sophisticated terrorist networks.
Secondly, most countries, including allies of the US, are against military interventions in Syria. For instance, Russia urges the US to use the United Nations (UN) to tackle the problem in Syria. Lastly, the US constitution is uncertain on who should authorize a military attack. Accordingly, there is a heated debate on which arm of the government has authority to take the US to war. This paper uses the Syrian crisis to discuss war powers in the US.
The armed conflict in Syria is the largest humanitarian crisis facing the world at the moment. This encounter is between rebel fighters opposed to President Bashar al Assad rule and forces loyal to him. Around 100,000 Syrians have died since the uprising began (Lederer). However, the world is yet to come with a clear plan on how to end these atrocities. The disagreement between major powers should be blamed on this failure.
For instance, Russia and the US have differed on almost every proposal aimed at bringing peace in Syria. Unless a compromise is reached, a quick solution to the catastrophe will not be reached. Syria’s conflict is a serious threat to the region’s stability. There is a high probability that this conflict may spill-over to neighboring countries. An especially disturbing issue is that the unrest may create new breeding grounds for Al-Qaeda and other extremist organization.
Due to conflicting interests, the Syrian issue can make or break the world. If not checked, this crisis can instigate a world war or another cold war. However, nobody intends to go that road. Decisions related to war and peace must be made through a consensus (Putin). Gone are the days when countries made decisions alone. Unlike when President Bush attacked Iraq, terrorist groups have developed sophisticated strategies and grown in membership.
Any attempt to attack Syria will, hence, escalate the violence beyond its borders. This is not time for the international community to apportion blame, but to work together. For the sake of world’s peace and stability, the US must work with the United Nations. Iraq is still engrossed in civil war and Libya is struggling to unite its clans and tribes. There is surely nothing to celebrate about US’s earlier military interventions. Therefore, the US must carefully analyze previous mistakes before making any intervention in Syria.
A country launches a defensive battle in a bid to defend its territory. On the other hand, an offensive warfare is an aggressive way of dealing with an enemy. In this case, one does not have to wait for an enemy to strike, but goes after him. Attacking Syria on its own territory constitutes an offensive attack. According to Lewis, the US is about to strike Syria. This follows claims that Assad’s regime used chemical weapons against the rebel and its own citizens.
Therefore, this offensive is aimed at deterring further use of chemical weapons. A state’s independence is limited by human rights. Under the international law, when a situation takes a humanitarian angle, focus shifts from a state’s right to state’s obligation towards its citizens. Sovereignty is derived from people and, therefore, their rights, interest and security should be prioritized. The US will be justified to strike Syria if use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians continues.
Under the US constitution, the president can unilaterally sanction a military intervention when there is an actual or an impending threat to the county (Fox). According to Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, president Obama has the authority to strike Syria (Lewis). War Powers Resolution of 1973, gives the president the right to sanction limited military intervention (Fox).
Therefore, Congress’ input on whether the US should strike Syria may be required, but it is not legally enforced. The war powers act is, thus, unclear on whether president Obama requires a vote from congress to continue with his plans on Syria. Nonetheless, failure to consult the Congress on an important security issue might place president Obama in an awkward political position.
The Syrian crisis is a major test for world’s peace and unity. The entire region’s peace depends on a peaceful Syria. Interestingly, the US has shown restraint throughout the Crisis. However, the US is now planning to intervene following claims that Assad used chemical weapons against the rebels.
Luckily, the intention has attracted opposition from familiar and unfamiliar quarters. Russia is totally against this offensive while the US Congress demands a say on the impending military strike. Nonetheless, depending on its interpretation, the US constitution allows the president to bypass Congress and the international community in authorizing a military intervention in Syria.
Works Cited
Fox, Laura. “The War Powers Act is Pretty Unclear about Whether Congress Gets a Vote on Syria.” US News Weekly, 2013. Web.
Lederer, Edith M. “Death Toll In Syria Rises To 100,000, UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon Says.” Huffington Post, 2013. Web.
Lewis, Paul. “US strike on Syria could come within days as military assets ‘ready to go”. The Guardian, 2013. Web.
Putin, Vladimir V. “A Plea for Caution from Russia: What Putin Has to Say to Americans About Syria.” The New York Times, 2013. Web.