US should not act rashly

The UN should play the leading role in resolving the Syrian crisis, and countries should seek to work together under its auspices

Since Aug 21, the Syrian crisis has continued to escalate because of the allegations that chemical weapons have been used. Before the United Nations inspectors started their investigations and fact-finding activities on Aug 26, the United States had already started a high-profile media blitz that strikes against Syria were imminent. The New York Times reported on Aug 24 that the US would bypass the United Nations to directly launch air strikes against Syria. US officials were considering the war in Kosovo at the end of the 1990s as the precedent for attacking Syria without authorization from the UN. All of a sudden, US comments and actions became the biggest factor bearing a decisive impact on the Syrian crisis, and the whole world had their eyes on the US.

Some analysts pointed out that the Obama administration had apparently already made military preparations for the imminent use of force against the Syrian government, but it could still not ascertain if the Syrian rebels were ready to take over the government. Once this is ascertained, US strikes will be certain.

However, the United States should exercise caution in any military action against Syria.

First of all, any military action in Syria cannot be justified, morally or legally, before the release of the investigation report by the UN fact-finding team, and any evidence from the US or any other side is not enough to convince or be accepted by the international community. The Iraq war is a telling example of misleading the international community with false information.

Second, the US has claimed it will launch limited strikes against Syria and does not have regime change as its goal. If this is the case, the Syrian government will resolutely resist and fight for its survival and dignity. This will lead to a further deterioration in the situation and will trigger an even worse humanitarian disaster in Syria.

According to data released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Syrian refugees exceed 1.9 million, with the number of child refugees exceeding 1 million. Inside Syria, another 2 million children have been displaced, becoming destitute and homeless. These are not simply figures, they show the suffering of the Syrian people. Who could possibly bear the responsibility for further escalating the Syrian humanitarian crisis?