The Case For Not Ruling Out Military Action on Syria

David Schenker makes the case:

By predicating [America’s] support on the opposition remaining nonviolent (even in the face of massive violence directed against it), and by explicitly ruling out the possibility of military intervention, the Obama administration is laying out a set of unrealistic expectations — one which draws a false equivalence between violence and self-defense, and which will needlessly limit the United States’ range of options should the situation in Syria become even worse.

The problem with the argument that “If you want peace, prepare for war”, is that it tests your enemy’s ability and will to call your bluff. The Baathists will almost certainly tell you to bring it on, and you’ll suddenly find yourself in the middle of a war no one has a stomach for.