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Stop U.S. from Making Syria War Even Worse
Apr 07, 2017
More bombs won't end the crisis in Syria. After more than six years of war, with millions displaced and a death toll of nearly half a million people, it's clear that there is no military solution to this crisis.
But for years the U.S. has bombed Syria,and last night, the U.S. expanded the war by attacking a Syrian government airbase.
Tell Congress: Don't let the U.S. escalate the war in Syria.
This week's abhorrent chemical weapons attack was an act of unspeakable violence against civilians, and we are heartbroken over the deaths of Syrians, including many children. The Trump administration's escalation is not the solution, and will only cause more killing and suffering for Syrian civilians. The U.S. should fully support the ongoing investigation of the chemical weapons attack and work with the international community to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In all decisions about the U.S. course of action, policymakers must recognize that years of direct U.S. military intervention, support of extremist armed groups, and weapons shipments to anti-government rebels in Syria have only added fuel to the fire and put Syrian civilians in greater danger.
Act now to stop the U.S. from making the crisis in Syria even worse.
Congress must take back its constitutional responsibility to decide when and if the U.S. goes to war. The Senate should stay in session and the House should return from recess to force consideration of an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, and Congress should oppose any further military action.
This tragedy further underscores the need for diplomatic solutions which engage all stakeholders. The only path toward shared security requires robust diplomacy, urgent humanitarian aid, and a comprehensive strategy to bring the crisis to an end through a political solution -- not escalating war.
War is not the answer.
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits. It was clear to us from the outset what it would take to build such a project. No paid advertisements. No corporate sponsors. No millionaire publisher telling us what to think or do. Many people said we wouldn't last a year, but we proved those doubters wrong. Together with a tremendous team of journalists and dedicated staff, we built an independent media outlet free from the constraints of profits and corporate control. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. Building Common Dreams was not easy. Our survival was never guaranteed. When you take on the most powerful forces—Wall Street greed, fossil fuel industry destruction, Big Tech lobbyists, and uber-rich oligarchs who have spent billions upon billions rigging the economy and democracy in their favor—the only bulwark you have is supporters who believe in your work. But here’s the urgent message from me today. It's never been this bad out there. And it's never been this hard to keep us going. At the very moment Common Dreams is most needed, the threats we face are intensifying. We need your support now more than ever. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. When everyone does the little they can afford, we are strong. But if that support retreats or dries up, so do we. Will you donate now to make sure Common Dreams not only survives but thrives? —Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Diane Randall
Diane Randall is the Executive Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Diane leads FCNL's staff to effectively educate and lobby for the policies and legislative priorities established by FCNL's General Committee. A lifelong advocate for peace and social justice, Diane is a fierce proponent for citizen engagement that advances policies and practices to create a better society for all.
More bombs won't end the crisis in Syria. After more than six years of war, with millions displaced and a death toll of nearly half a million people, it's clear that there is no military solution to this crisis.
But for years the U.S. has bombed Syria,and last night, the U.S. expanded the war by attacking a Syrian government airbase.
Tell Congress: Don't let the U.S. escalate the war in Syria.
This week's abhorrent chemical weapons attack was an act of unspeakable violence against civilians, and we are heartbroken over the deaths of Syrians, including many children. The Trump administration's escalation is not the solution, and will only cause more killing and suffering for Syrian civilians. The U.S. should fully support the ongoing investigation of the chemical weapons attack and work with the international community to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In all decisions about the U.S. course of action, policymakers must recognize that years of direct U.S. military intervention, support of extremist armed groups, and weapons shipments to anti-government rebels in Syria have only added fuel to the fire and put Syrian civilians in greater danger.
Act now to stop the U.S. from making the crisis in Syria even worse.
Congress must take back its constitutional responsibility to decide when and if the U.S. goes to war. The Senate should stay in session and the House should return from recess to force consideration of an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, and Congress should oppose any further military action.
This tragedy further underscores the need for diplomatic solutions which engage all stakeholders. The only path toward shared security requires robust diplomacy, urgent humanitarian aid, and a comprehensive strategy to bring the crisis to an end through a political solution -- not escalating war.
War is not the answer.
Diane Randall
Diane Randall is the Executive Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Diane leads FCNL's staff to effectively educate and lobby for the policies and legislative priorities established by FCNL's General Committee. A lifelong advocate for peace and social justice, Diane is a fierce proponent for citizen engagement that advances policies and practices to create a better society for all.
More bombs won't end the crisis in Syria. After more than six years of war, with millions displaced and a death toll of nearly half a million people, it's clear that there is no military solution to this crisis.
But for years the U.S. has bombed Syria,and last night, the U.S. expanded the war by attacking a Syrian government airbase.
Tell Congress: Don't let the U.S. escalate the war in Syria.
This week's abhorrent chemical weapons attack was an act of unspeakable violence against civilians, and we are heartbroken over the deaths of Syrians, including many children. The Trump administration's escalation is not the solution, and will only cause more killing and suffering for Syrian civilians. The U.S. should fully support the ongoing investigation of the chemical weapons attack and work with the international community to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In all decisions about the U.S. course of action, policymakers must recognize that years of direct U.S. military intervention, support of extremist armed groups, and weapons shipments to anti-government rebels in Syria have only added fuel to the fire and put Syrian civilians in greater danger.
Act now to stop the U.S. from making the crisis in Syria even worse.
Congress must take back its constitutional responsibility to decide when and if the U.S. goes to war. The Senate should stay in session and the House should return from recess to force consideration of an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, and Congress should oppose any further military action.
This tragedy further underscores the need for diplomatic solutions which engage all stakeholders. The only path toward shared security requires robust diplomacy, urgent humanitarian aid, and a comprehensive strategy to bring the crisis to an end through a political solution -- not escalating war.
War is not the answer.
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