Being the only congressman to serve in both the Vietnam War and the latest conflict in Iraq, I can tell you that I know a little bit about war. I’ve seen the misery it can cause—both on the battlefield and at home. From civilians who’ve had their homes caught in the middle of the fighting to families in the United States going through sleepless nights worrying about their loved ones serving overseas, war is not something to take lightly.
George Washington always gets brought up whenever military intervention is discussed in our country. I, too, have been thinking about the wisdom of the father of our country as I’ve examined the debate over bombing Syria. Our first president’s warning about entangling alliances is often remembered. However, something else stuck out to me as I read his Farewell Address this time around.
In regards to bombing the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, this passage is more pertinent: “We may choose peace or War, as our interest guided by justice shall Counsel.”
What has been happening in Syria is truly a human tragedy. The nation has been torn apart by civil war. Tens of thousands have either lost their lives or been driven from their homes. It is without a doubt that Assad is not a friend of ours.
However, it has also been made clear that those who oppose him have direct ties to al-Qaeda. Whoever wins this war will not be affectionate toward the United States.
What, then, is “our interest guided by justice” as it relates to involving ourselves in the Syrian fight? In other words, what is the objective of any American mission? On Sunday, Secretary Kerry explained the president’s reasoning: Assad used chemical weapons against his own people, breaking international treaties that only the United States can enforce
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