COMMENTARY | Conditions in Syria haven't gotten any better, so President Barack Obama told his ambassador to pack it up and come home. It's about time. The bloodshed has continued for nearly a year and few countries seem to have the wherewithal to insist that the bloodshed stop.
The Obama administration ordered Ambassador Robert Ford to close the embassy in Damascus and bring his staff home, Reuters reported. The decision comes on the heels of stinging defeat by the United Nations Security Council permanent members (Russia and China) on a resolution that would have called for an end to violence. It's good the president has decided to act -- finally -- but I can't help but wonder what makes Syria any different than Libya?
When the bloodshed got out of hand in Libya, the U.S. and her allies sent in air support to stop the superior Libyan military forces from annihilating the opposition. If Obama felt that situation justified a military response, why has Syria not received the same consideration? Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is using his military to murder his own people in the streets by the hundreds -- sometimes on a daily basis.
Has Obama lost his will to fight for what is right?
This is the perfect opportunity for the U.S. to improve its image with the Arab world. The Arab League has imposed sanctions on Syria and it has asked for help from countries around the world on influencing Assad to step down. They even sought support from the U.N. Security Council that was ultimately vetoed by Russia and China.
Obama should be in tight negotiations with the Arab League countries. It's the perfect chance to show them that the U.S. does care and can be a genuine partner for things besides protecting our access to Middle East oil. If the air campaign worked against Moammar Gadhafi in Libya, they will work against al-Assad in Syria.
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