Free Flying With the civil war in Syria escalating, implementing a no-fly zone in the country would be the most catastrophic action that could be taken
An explosion after an apparent US-led coalition airstrike on Kobane, Syria, as seen from the Turkish side of the border, near Suruc district, Oct. 13, 2014, Turkey , Syria. (Photo from Orlok/ shutterstock.com)
BY ANTHONY KRISTENSEN
Those in support of this proposal say that it provides a solution for the refugee crisis coming out of Syria, as a no-fly zone would cause less homes to be destroyed, which would lead less people to leaving Syria in search of Look back at the time frame between the end of World War II and asylum. However, this is not the case. With ISIS, the FSA and Syrian armed the collapse of the Soviet Union. Think about the tensions between the forces fighting in heavily populated civilian areas, people will continue to flee governments in Washington and in Moscow. The constant threat of nuclear the country in search of a peaceful life. Also, there are possible catastrophic war between the world’s two superpowers drove people both inside and results that could come from this proposal for the U.S. outside the government to extremes. Inside the government, Senator Joseph Keep this in mind, the government of Syria has invited Russia to conduct McCarthy ruined the lives of many by accusing them of having ties to airstrikes in the country to combat ISIS, meaning Syria wants the Russians communism with no evidence. Outside the government, people all over the flying over their country. In no way has the U.S. been given authority to dictate country spent thousands of dollars on nuclear fallout shelters in case the U.S. what happens in Syrian airspace from anyone. Not and Soviet Union were to fall into nuclear war. Luckily, the from the Syrian government, not from the United prospect of such a war seemed to fade away after the Nations, not from anyone. Now, what an American Soviet Union collapsed. implemented no-fly zone would mean is that any plane Fast forward to today. The tensions between the flying over Syria would be shot down. No exceptions. governments in Washington and Moscow are escalating Now, let’s link this back to the relations with Russia. again, with U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian Keep in mind that the Syrian government wants President Vladimir Putin seeing eye-to-eye on a very, very Russia to conduct these airstrikes. They invited Russia small amount of topics. One topic that the traditional to do these attacks. Implementing a no fly zone adversaries do see eye-to-eye on, unmistakably, is that wouldn’t change that, Syria would still allow Russian the terror group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Facts to Know airstrikes to take place. So what happens next? The needs to be destroyed. However, the two presidents U.S. implements this no fly zone and Russia continues show their differences here, too, in how this should be • The U.S. has been involved since 2012 to conduct airstrikes against ISIS. The U.S. would then done. shoot down these Russian jets. This could result in The current government in Syria, led by President • The war has killed over 200,000 civilians the possibility of another World War. It’d be different Bashar Al-Assad, is an ally to those in Moscow. However, than the Turkish downing of the Russian plane most in Washington want to see Assad toppled and Syria • Over 4.3 Million Syrian Refugees because the U.S. would shooting the planes down in turned over to the rebels fighting in the Free Syrian Army an airspace that they were invited to. Turkey shot (FSA). Putin has discussed that the future of Assad should • Most Syrians flee to Jordan or Lebanon down the jet saying that is way in their air space, be left up to the Syrian people, while Obama has stated where Russia wasn’t invited. Do you see the problem that peace cannot be brought to Syria with Assad at the • U.N. predicts $7.7 billion dollars to now? helm of the government. provide emergency support This proposal could possibly lead to the U.S. and With this massive war, the government of Syria has Russia declaring war on each other, which could lead mercycorps.org: goo.gl/G25Bgh invited Russia to conduct airstrikes in Syrian airspace. to Russian allies, such as Syria and Iran, declaring This has not only caused controversy between the U.S. war on the U.S., its NATO allies and Israel. NATO and and Russia, but also between Russia and American allies, Israel would then declare war on Russia and its allies. China, who is not a most notably Turkey, when a Russian warplane supposedly flew over Turkish fan of either the U.S. or Russia, would likely join on the side of Russia due to airspace, which promptly caused Turkey to shoot down the jet, killing one of their geographic location, with North Korea joining with them and South Korea the pilots. One solution to this problem that has been introduced by many joining the U.S. Many nations in South America and Africa would then be split in Washington is implementing a no-fly zone over Syria, which is essentially on the conflict due to relations, resulting in fighting in those continents as the worst possible move that could be made. This proposal has received well. support from presidential candidates from both major political parties, notably All of these risks because the U.S. didn’t want anyone flying over Syria? Hillary Clinton (D- NY) and Governor Chris Christie (R- NJ). The only presidential This proposal is not only irresponsible on behalf of the U.S., but it could be candidate that stands in firm opposition to this proposal is Senator Bernie catastrophic. This is why the U.S. cannot support this proposal. Sanders (I- VT). anthony.kristensen17@gmail.com • @anthonyk17slsg
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02.10.16
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