Good Reasons for US Involvement in Syrian War

This past week, FOX news carried a few outstanding commentators on the good reasons for US involvement in the Syrian War.  I was impressed, largely because Hannity and O'Reilly's own analyses are so trite in comparison!  I believe the points raised for US military involvement are convincing and significant.  They are the following:

1. The moderate rebels need counseling and training by the American military.  I was impressed by the outstanding job the US military did in assisting and offering advice to the Filipino people in their battles with the Communists on their soil. This record of achievement continues the US military's international program to assist governments stabilize their regimes and improve their economic condition.  In Syria, the US military could play a prominent role in turning the tide toward rebel victory and in guiding the moderates toward proposing a responsible government, even as the al-Quada continues to hold its own reign in northern territory. 

2. But in gaining a toehold in the heart of the Middle-East through this opportunity to strengthen the position of the rebels against Assad's might, the US  military can add stability to Egypt's military in its efforts to restore a civil government (and influence it towards establishing democratic institutions of justice and law).  Moreover, its presence can deter Iran and the Hezbolah from doing nasty deeds on their own.  What an opportunity this moment is for the US to exert its expertise and prominence in the Middle-East and calm the waters of violence and oppression!

Discussion

Most news commentators have been talking up the issue of whether the President has the authority to commit troops and hardware without Congressional authorization.  They go back as far as Regan sending in troops to Granada and Clinton opposing evil in the Balkan republics during the 1990s.  However, they fail to grasp the importance of what FDR did in the late 1930s.   When the country was trying to recover from the Great Depression, he virtually tricked Congress through the Lend Lease Program to get the US involved in the Second World War on the side of the European Allies.  An argument could have been made then that it was not in the interest  of the US to involve itself in a war in Europe.  After all, until US boats were threatened by the Nazis on the high seas, as the US sent war materials to England, there had been no thought that Germany might invade the US!  So, logically, using the principle of self-interest the US should not have involved itself.  Even had Hitler admitted to gassing Jews, as long as no Americans were clearly victimized, by invoking the principle of self-interest, the US should have minded its own business!

Syrians, whose only problem was staying in Syria, have become subject to gassing and death; even as in the Gospels, it is reported that Jesus' innocence succumbed to the evil of His day.  People through no fault of their own are laid to rest victimized by Evil forces.  Is it not marvelous when leaders with vision--and are prepared to lead a campaign against evil--are given the chance to march for the right reason!