Syria Crisis: Fights, IS Takeover, & Foreign Interventions - Essay Sample

Introduction

The situation in Syria encapsulates fights between soldiers supporting the government and militants against the state. There is also the issue of Islamic State (IS) taking over the eastern part of Syria. Other countries such as Russia, Iran, and Turkey have henceforth intervened, albeit, supporting the two main conflicting parties, thus causing a tug of war (BBC Newsround, 2019). Russia and Iran support the government while the rest perpetuate militant ideologies. A large number of Syrians have lost life and livelihood, as the country's crisis continues to soldier on.

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Syria has emerged to be a state referenced for its incessant instability, pertinent to matters of security. Insecurity consistency in the country draws much attention to the United States of America's government because of various reasons. Firstly, its geographic location places it at the core of the Middle East; thus, violence in the country is feared to cause an uproar in the neighboring countries such as Iraq, Turkey, and Lebanon. Insofar as Iraq is concerned, it should be noted that American troops are still partially active in the country; hence, a spillover of the Syrian crisis in Iraq would prove devastating on numerous perspectives to the U.S.A. Concerning Turkey and Lebanon, the two states are allies to the United States of America; therefore, if the crisis in Syria finds its way in these two countries, the United States would be left with no option but to intervene. Secondly, Syria, as a state, is at the brink of forming a hiding place for the egregious Al Qaeda terrorist movement, which remains enemy number one (CNN, 2012). Thirdly, it has been noted with great concern that Syria and Iran are kindred spirits, who have, frequented in attacking U.S troops in Iraq. Fourthly, a crisis in the country could prove expensive for the American taxpayer in terms of fuel prices. Last but not least, concerns the global reputation of the United States. Informed by the humanitarian crises currently experienced in the country, the United States could raise its scorecard regarding global status by infusing Syria stability.

United States Strategies and Policies in Syria

It is worth noting that the United States' purpose of forming and sustaining democratic principles destined to secure a prosperous world for the benefit of all. Principally, terrorism is a war the United States is not willing to give up; doing so would directly imply surrendering its citizenry to their contemporary enemy ‌ (Congressional Research Service, 2020). Syria poses a terrorist threat whose ripple effect would result in hurting U.S allies. By supporting Iran, Syria creates an unprecedented challenge to American citizens in Iraq, which calls for the U.S government to act promptly, towards securing its citizenry. Terrorism and its epithets are imbued in wrongdoings, which disqualifies any efforts or intentions of diplomacy thereof. Away from terrorism, the United States feels obliged to protect its allies beforehand. Since World War II, the United States continues to advocate, defend, and promote democracy and respect for human rights. Syria continuously acts in contravention of respect for human rights, as exemplified by more than 1600 civilian deaths in 2018 (World Report, 2019). The Syrian-Russian military, which remains dominant in the country, was also involved in the destruction of medical, residential, and educational facilities. Illegal weapons have also been used in Syria, contrary to international deliberations. Chemical weapons have already been unleashed in the country, particularly in the duration between 2017 and 2018, in Ghouta and Daraa areas (World Report, 2019). To the very least, the United States needs to intervene more proactively on the bases of terrorism threats and humanitarian crises already being experienced in the country.

Impacts of Globalization and How It Affects Syria

Globalization is an aspect that encourages the convergence of cultures, states, and economies for interdependence. Advantages that are accrued from utilizing globalization include legal effects, investments, competition, global market, and thinning the gap between the rich and poor. Through relation with other countries, crises are solved more amicably through mediators. Intergovernmental courts also aid in prosecuting culprits and perpetrators of crime, especially when existential legal frameworks cannot resolve a crisis. Globalization also encourages foreign investment mainly from developed countries trickling downwards. Albeit being profitable endeavors, foreign investors are usually discouraged by any form of instabilities in politics and economy. Competition is a vital aspect of globalization and commerce (Collins, 2015). It encourages an increase in the quality of goods and services and also contributes to a price reduction.

Globalization builds the capacity for developing countries to access job opportunities as more developed countries invest in these countries to reduce the gap between the rich and poor. Similarly, through the emergence of the global market, developing countries are imbued with a capacity to produce what best suits them, based on an abundance of skills and other available resources. For instance, Syria, a developing country, can adequately gain financial advantage from oil and agriculture. Concerning negative aspects of globalization, terrorism, job insecurity, and commodity price instability is the most observable. Terrorism emanates from free movement, that has been encouraged by globalization, some travelers have hideous intents, thus spreading risks of terrorist attacks. Job insecurity stems from random persons seeking opportunities in various locations by traveling far from their home countries. Insofar as price instability is concerned, some states offer cheaper raw materials and labor than others. Such spaces yield products that are cheaper, thus leading to a consequential reduction in price.

Syria is a member state of the United Nations. Under the United Nations umbrella, the country is expected to respect human rights and employ diplomacy when solving issues within its jurisdiction. In 2018, as a way of mitigating the effects of crisis experienced in the country, the Syrian government legislated law 10 that presented the state with the power to confiscate property for its citizens in total disregard of due process and without an iota of compensation. The international community, however, intervened, causing the government to amend the law. The relationship between Syria and Russia has also helped the country significantly. The former requested the European Union to intervene in the reconstruction of the state. Despite the request mentioned above, the European Union demands that Syria should first adhere to the UN Security Council resolution 2254 before they contemplate providing any help. Some countries in the European states, however, have offered to chip in and help, for instance, France and Switzerland. It is also worth noting that most west donors, apart from the U.K, Netherlands, and the United States, continue to provide humanitarian aid (World Report, 2019). United Nations remains a vital organ in the country has exemplified by its efforts to spearhead negotiations that should resolve issues in the country once and for all. Through the influence of Russia, the UN Special envoy seeks to create a constitution committee. Key interested parties remain to be Russia, Turkey, and Iran. The three countries mentioned above have regularly met in various places to find a lasting solution for Syria. The UN General assembly, through a quasi-special prosecutor establishment, aims at seeking justice for victims affected by the crisis, albeit, Russia utilizes its veto powers to derail its efforts.

Recommendations and Impacts of Foreign Policy Decisions In Syria

The United States policy on terrorism constitutes military activities aimed at protecting its citizens. Humanitarian acts, particularly in war-torn and prone areas, in most cases, require the intervention of security operations. Military personnel is entrusted with implementing insitu policies. Policies such as those requiring the United States to increase vibrance in Syria may cause disputes with Russia and other vital interested states such as Turkey. Some policies, especially those that are discriminative on the grounds of religion, considering that most Syrians are Islamic, may escalate to religious wars. In my opinion, the United States should seek to contribute as a proxy rather than submerge itself in such highly contested spaces. Intervening, as a proxy participant, presents a plethora of advantages; however, minimal resources are used, and crushing with other interested parties is avoided, and cordial relationship is maintained with the subject country. Regarding the retention of stability in Syria, the U.S should encourage all parties willing to partake in the reconciliation route.

Additionally, the United States should seek to change the existential strategy that deals with ISIS from militarization to diplomatic acumen. The country should also try to aid Syria in rebuilding, a plan that would go a long way in gaining trust among the Syrians. Instead of exacerbating the situation in the country with military personnel and reluctance in ameliorating current issues, the United States should seek a more positive approach that improves the current state. A more robust plan that would solve problems experienced in Syria would include constructively withdrawing military personnel in Syria and replacing them with mediators. Supporting efforts of international organizations such as the United Nations would also provide confidence in finding a lasting solution. The United States should also seek to introduce investments and other economic partnerships with the country in sectors such as agriculture, where the state performed exemplary well before the emergence of the crisis in the country.

References

BBC Newsround. (2019, October 16). What’s happening in Syria? - CBBC Newsround. Bbc.Co.Uk. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16979186

CNN. (2012, April 10). Why Syria should matter to Americans. CNN. Retrieved May 25, 2020, from https://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/10/world/syria-why-care/index.html

Collins, M. (2015, May 6). The Pros And Cons Of Globalization. Forbes. Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikecollins/2015/05/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-globalization/#19c42ef1ccce

Congressional Research Service (2020, May 7). U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R44891.pdf

World Report (2019, January 23). Rights Trends in Syria. (2019, January 23). Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/syria