Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, seen here at the first International Conference of Council for Arab and International Relations in Kuwait City in February 2013, is urging diplomatic steps in Syria. “I believe there are measures short of war that can take place, including a no-fly zone, and safe havens in various parts of Syria,” he said recently. “If it doesn’t work, then one can think of surgical military intervention.” Stephanie Mcgehee/Reuters/File
Iraqis Warily Watch US Move Syria Into Crosshairs -- Tom A. Peter, Christian Science Monitor
Iraq is still dealing with the long-term consequences of the US invasion, and Iraqis have doubts that a US intervention in Syria would have better results.
Iraqis, still picking up the pieces after a US invasion of their country, have watched with trepidation as the international community edges closer to what could be American-led intervention into Syria.
The White House said today that there was "little doubt" that the Syrian regime carried out a chemical attack on civilians, and the US military appears ready to strike Syria at a moment’s notice if US President Obama gives the order, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the BBC on Tuesday. France, Britain, the Arab League, and others have now called for international action against the Syrian government.
With the memory of the American-led intervention in Iraq still fresh, many locals here hesitate to support the mounting international calls for action against Syria.
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My Comment: If there is a country in the Middle East that appreciates the horrific firepower of the U.S. military .... it is the Iraqis. They know only too well on the effectiveness of the American military machine, and why it should it be respected. But while it is easy for the Arab world to blame the U.S., the West, Israel, etc., for their problems .... the sad fact is that the history of the Middle East has always been (for centuries) one of war and conflict .... especially on a sectarian level. But I do concur with the general Iraqi opinion that any U.S. intervention in Syria will not solve it's deep problems .... everyone knows that any U.S. commitment will be limited, and that it will involve far too few resources to have any impact.
