Why should the US (and others, e.g. France) punish Syria?

Nakosis said:

Remove Assad from power.

If Trump was using chemical weapons I'd hope someone would remove him from power as well. If we couldn't do it ourselves I'd hope some country would come along and do it for us.

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But why should the West do so? And who gives them that right?

Curious George said:

Precisely what do you mean?

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Well, against a backdrop of previous US/Western engagement in the region, I think US/Western intervention in this case just further complicates the situation in the region. It's unlikely to make a huge difference to Assad's calculations, and given Iran's support for the Syrian government, will further be seen by Iran as another example of the West's warmongering in their backyard. Add in Russia's support for the Syrian government and the complicated nature of the US/Western-Russian relationship and I'm not sure it will help the situation. If anything, it may lead the Syrian-Iranian-Russian alliance to show their defiance either through continued use of chemical weapons or in some other way.

EDIT: all assuming that there was a chemical attack carried out by the Syrian government against its civilians

Poseidon Soter said:

But why should the West do so? And who gives them that right?

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Why? For humanitarian reasons.

No one gives rights. People just decide to enforce certain rights.

Nakosis said:

Why? For humanitarian reasons.

No one gives rights. People just decide to enforce certain rights.

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Who appointed them the world's policeman? And if it is for humanitarian reasons, what about all the other humanitarian causes out there?

Poseidon Soter said:

But why should the West do so? And who gives them that right?

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The injustice.

Poseidon Soter said:

Who appointed them the world's policeman? And if it is for humanitarian reasons, what about all the other humanitarian causes out there?

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Why do you characterize it as being the world’s policeman instead of being a just world citizen? “I don’t want to get involved” is the easy excuse to absolve oneself from helping the weak being pummeled by a bully.

Poseidon Soter said:

After the chemical attack recently carried out in Syria, allegedly by government forces, President Trump has promised 'forceful' action and in the past, France's President Macron has threatened to strike Syria if the Syrian government were found to use chemical weapons against civilians.

Should the US, France, and any others who want to enter the fray punish Syria in this way? Why or why not? What would be gained? Or lost if the West stood by?

PS

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Its American Imperialism. Its simple as that. There's no justification to bomb Syria.

Poseidon Soter said:

Who appointed them the world's policeman? And if it is for humanitarian reasons, what about all the other humanitarian causes out there?

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Self appointed.

That's a good question. Why do nations take it upon themselves to tackle some "humanitarian" and not others. I tend to assume the ultimate reasoning is not humanitarian but it is usually justified as such.

Shaul said:

Why do you characterize it as being the world’s policeman instead of being a just world citizen? “I don’t want to get involved” is the easy excuse to absolve oneself from helping the weak being pummeled by a bully.

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True, I don't like bullies but sometimes it is hard to determine who exactly the bully is.

Nakosis said:

True, I don't like bullies but sometimes it is hard to determine who exactly the bully is.

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That is certainly not an easy thing to do. But choosing the easy over the right is feckless.