U.S. Foreign Policy on Syrian Civil War - Essay Example

U.S. Foreign Policy on Syrian Civil WarFor the records, Obama Administration have been marked with a lot of cautiousness and mindfulness on economic and public losses resulting from their policies. However, this displays him a “weak” leader among key officials in the Middle East affairs. With the intensifying Syrian civil war, between the opposition and the government, many finds it necessary for U.S. to take an action regarding Assad’s leaderships. The secretary of state, John Kerry suggested that Assad is not in the right track and therefore the world needs to respond, however, he feared that President Obama Administration might not take such a responsibility based on the past experiences1.

Debates as to whether U.S. policy towards the situation in Syria should call for a military action, defending the civilians, wipe out the terrorist groups or specifically act on Syrian forces suspected to be using chemical weapons on the opposition have been taken a central place in foreign policy discussions. Some groups fear that US actions may not lead to the desired outcomes, but may end up with more consequences than current problem. They fear that it may escalate the violence, create regional division and even a power vacuum that may look good from extremists’side.

Unplanned expenditure and domestic opposition to the military action are some of the factors suggesting that US should not take part in the Syrian war1.Administration critics argue that most the presumed costs of U.S. intervention are currently happening and that it will not make any difference if the U.S. gets involved in the Syrian conflict. Some believe that U.S. silence over the matter have detrimental effect on its influence in the Middle East leading to the reconsideration of US foreign policy and revisiting of certain aspects that will increase their involvement in Syrian war.

Taking civilians into consideration, U.S. involvement in the Syrian war is inevitable. The Sectary of Sate’s announcement at the Friends of Syria Conference that US and other member of “London 11” finds it necessary to give coordinated assistance of non-lethal nature to the opposition is a good indication of what U.S. needs to do2.References:1. U.S. State Department Fact Sheet, U.S. Assistance and Support for the Transition, January 17, 2014 2. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Anne Patterson Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, March 26, 2014.