It's a humanitarian nightmare, but hard lessons have taught us our best approach to that humanitarian nightmare in the Middle East is as follows: (1) contain the Middle East's backward and brutal culture and religion within it's borders, (2) allow that culturally backward region time to evolve without western intervention or influence, (3) provide humanitarian aid to address any humanitarian crisis to ensure basic human survival and (4) pursue a non-intervention military policy in the Middle East that limits the military's role protecting its aid workers and securing European borders to prevent a massive and chaotic migration into Europe. Hopefully the Middle East moves toward a more enlightened culture that valves gender equality, civil liberties and the rule of law, but we must resist imposing our more advanced way of life on the Middle East people.
The crime and chaos now seen in Germany and Sweden especially the public assaults on women by refugees from the Middle East demonstrate western societies must stop the mass migration from the Middle East. We also now know western military actions that destabilize brutal Middle Eastern dictators only makes matters worse. While our humanity compels us to relieve the suffering in the Middle East, hard lessons have taught us we must limit our response to containment, non-intervention, basic humanitarian aid and securing European borders from a mass migration of Middle Eastern people.
The crime and chaos now seen in Germany and Sweden especially the public assaults on women by refugees from the Middle East demonstrate western societies must stop the mass migration from the Middle East. We also now know western military actions that destabilize brutal Middle Eastern dictators only makes matters worse. While our humanity compels us to relieve the suffering in the Middle East, hard lessons have taught us we must limit our response to containment, non-intervention, basic humanitarian aid and securing European borders from a mass migration of Middle Eastern people.
3
Well this is a siege. This isn't a new thing. It started when we first started building walls. This town is a rebel held town that is being besieged by the Syrian Army. The rebels could surrender as this would save the civilians, if they cared. To those who would airdrop food, just who do you think would get that food, the civilians or the solders. Yeah, that is why it isn't allowed. The rebels now want the rest of the world to bail them out. For a more local example, look at Vicksburg during the civil war.
1
Riddle me this: the town is still holding out from government forces so presumably they have methods of getting armaments in. Why don't they try carry less gun and more food? All the starving people seems to be kids and old people which begs the question how much food are the soldiers getting?
I got a feeling the situation is similar to North Korea. Soldiers and women belong to the warlord eat. Everybody else starve to keep them in line. This UN relief convoy is going to keep the warlords in control to keep fighting the government while all the starving kids will continue to starve so we can see more "Assad's atrocity".
I got a feeling the situation is similar to North Korea. Soldiers and women belong to the warlord eat. Everybody else starve to keep them in line. This UN relief convoy is going to keep the warlords in control to keep fighting the government while all the starving kids will continue to starve so we can see more "Assad's atrocity".
1
Anybody know, does Mrs. Assad still go on shopping sprees to London and Paris? What are all the society women of Syria doing these days. How about setting up soup kitchens? Doesn't Islam take any consideration for wretched, innocent children, or is that only a western world thing.
2
Would someone please explain to this dull-witted American citizen how it is that the wealthiest nations on earth, who throw away enough food in one day to feed this city for a month, and who control the largest military force the world has ever seen, cannot find a way to airlift food and medicine to the starving victims of this catastrophe?
What an unbelievable shame we all must bear to allow such a thing.
What an unbelievable shame we all must bear to allow such a thing.
4
Will someone please tell me what I and/or my government can DO?
There are no words for this that are publishable. Well abhorrent perhaps.
There are hundreds of thousands of Syrian, military age, able bodied men sitting collecting welfare in Europe. Why aren't Obama and other "leaders" forming these men into a free Syrian Army? Why is it the responsibility of others to work for and fight for their country and people?
7
I suppose it's typical in political and military circles to get so swept up in the political and military aspects of the situation to forget about the primary point of anything: The human beings involved.
Not that they ever mattered.
Not that they ever mattered.
1
Wow. Again and again we are reminded how Russian planes have wreaked havoc upon humanitarian agencies while US planes are killing ISIS with precision. Are you kidding? If one were to count the bombs dropped by the US and allies in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, there would have been 10 million dead Taliban and Isis fighters. In other words, no one would dare enter those countries to wage war. By focusing on the situation at Madaya and not also in Deir al-Zour, we have an ongoing hypocrisy perpetuated by the West and parroted by the NYT.
We haven't learned a lesson from the disaster we unleashed on this world.
We haven't learned a lesson from the disaster we unleashed on this world.
1
The plight of Madaya, where many residents are starving, represents a stark failure of international powers......
Really? How so? How are international powers responsible for he syrian civil war? How are they responsible for the misery its wrought? They arent. Assad is.
Really? How so? How are international powers responsible for he syrian civil war? How are they responsible for the misery its wrought? They arent. Assad is.
1
Gee, if only there was an obscenely rich country in the Middle East that could...wait for it...easily take in millions of Muslim refugees in air conditioned tent cities that already exist.
7
This is civil was. The only help we can give is to let the thing be resolved. The longer we interfere to longer it will last. War is brutal but it is also a fact and the quicker they end the better off we are.
5
This is such a sad and complicated situation that I have no words for it.
I would like to comment on one tiny thing though: to the NY Times -
I find the ad you make us watch to see the video of the starving boy--the ad with two well dressed people worrying about their investment portfolios--to be disgusting. I know you need to get money to make the news available to us, but this ad in this context is a truly disturbing commentary on our culture, and I am sickened by it!
I would like to comment on one tiny thing though: to the NY Times -
I find the ad you make us watch to see the video of the starving boy--the ad with two well dressed people worrying about their investment portfolios--to be disgusting. I know you need to get money to make the news available to us, but this ad in this context is a truly disturbing commentary on our culture, and I am sickened by it!
6
If this is a systematic tactic of Syrian government forces, how can it be the result of a failure of international powers? Starvation of civilians is a horrific but ancient wartime tactic. The Nazi siege of Leningrad during WW II is one of many examples. Of course, if there is some way - any way - outsiders can provide humanitarian relief that must be done. But, the plight of the millions involved, including those within Syria and Iraq and those who have fled, cannot truly be relieved by the international community. The political, religious, ethnic and other divisions in the region are long-standing and largely incomprehensible to much of the rest of the world. The resolution of all the conflicts in the Middle East lies with the people who live there and their leadership. And it is that failure of regional leadership that is at the root of this ongoing humanitarian disaster.
4
The inhabitants in Madaya are worse off than in an open-air prison. They are literally encircled within a bomb cage, while their enemies use starvation as a weapon of war.
I am tired of seeing atrocious pain and suffering inflicted on children in the war-torn Syria and just hope that regional and global powers can get their act together and put aside their difference for the sake of innocent civilians, who are bearing the brunt of their power struggle.
I am tired of seeing atrocious pain and suffering inflicted on children in the war-torn Syria and just hope that regional and global powers can get their act together and put aside their difference for the sake of innocent civilians, who are bearing the brunt of their power struggle.
3
Why not a top front page article on the starving people of Yemen, a U.S. backed Saudi Arabia and friends war on the native rebels of Yemen, the Houthis? How many hospital bombings, cluster bombs, wedding party bombings, targeting of civilians, etc. are not being reported here?
Seems we getting our regular dose of bad Assad or bad Putin here.
Seems we getting our regular dose of bad Assad or bad Putin here.
6
The Times seems to believe that it is everyone's responsibility but Obama's. He apparently is an impotent, innocent bystander. His government is unable to provide aid unlike the Berlin air lift, WW II air supply drops and the siege of Khe Sahn. Or is it unwilling?
4
The aggression and the civil war has been started by the so called rebels which are, in fact, mostly Muslim terrorists like IS and Al Qaeda.
So how come the government now is blamed for the atrocities?
It would have been easier for the so called rebels to stop their fight and have the city back in the chain of supply again.
"Surrender or you will be annihilated" is just what any government would tell any separatist group in this kind of situation.
And that includes the US government, in a case like this.
Sorry, but if the coup does not work, it is the "rebels" that need to retreat, not the government.
And it those rebels that have change Syria from a somewhat prosperous country into a war zone.
Rebels that are supported heavily by the US and who have been lured into this war by dream of an "Arab Spring", one that did not work in any of those other countries as well.
Stop blaming the Syrian government and get real.
Assad is no angel but he is still the lesser of available evils in the region.
So how come the government now is blamed for the atrocities?
It would have been easier for the so called rebels to stop their fight and have the city back in the chain of supply again.
"Surrender or you will be annihilated" is just what any government would tell any separatist group in this kind of situation.
And that includes the US government, in a case like this.
Sorry, but if the coup does not work, it is the "rebels" that need to retreat, not the government.
And it those rebels that have change Syria from a somewhat prosperous country into a war zone.
Rebels that are supported heavily by the US and who have been lured into this war by dream of an "Arab Spring", one that did not work in any of those other countries as well.
Stop blaming the Syrian government and get real.
Assad is no angel but he is still the lesser of available evils in the region.
6
Animals. My heart cries for those children. Are you out of your mind? The U.S. is not perfect and our Republican friends made a mess out of the Muddle East, but we don't starve children. And BTW, Ziggy rules.
1
You know Norm, once you get your head out of the sand, just maybe we could support you. I believe this article and picture represent today (2016). Just exactly what party is residing in the WH. I get sick and tired of those who play politics for the sake of sounding pious. When folks like yourself decide to stop the political divide, then maybe we can reach a solution. Oh, by the way, my bank account is broke thanks to all the democratic taxes I have to pay here in CT.
1
Their plight represents a stark failure of international powers that has worsened even as they intensify military and diplomatic activities, all in the name of resolving the conflict.
This is happening as the United Nations plans a new round of peace talks for Jan. 25.
------------------------
When has the UN ever succeeded. The idea of collective action has failed miserably. The UN is a corrupt organization from the top to the bottom and all they do is talk, criticize Israel and waste money. You know Obama my be ideal for the UN secretary.
This is happening as the United Nations plans a new round of peace talks for Jan. 25.
------------------------
When has the UN ever succeeded. The idea of collective action has failed miserably. The UN is a corrupt organization from the top to the bottom and all they do is talk, criticize Israel and waste money. You know Obama my be ideal for the UN secretary.
3
Can someone please explain the picture with this article of Lebanese people protesting at the border holding pictures of starving babies purported to be Syrian? Are they mocking them? Doubting the reports? They're waving big pieces of bread? WHAT IS GOING ON?
9
Why the reports constantly about Syria, when approximately one in three people living in sub-Saharan Africa are undernourished. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimated that 239 million people (around 30 percent of the population) in sub-Saharan Africa were hungry?
10
It also shows something else; that the present government that denies food to its own citizens is not a suitable government.
The only way Syria is going to become a peaceful nation, is to put in a western world provisional government to oversee law and order and developing a new infrastructure and government along the lines of democratic government.
If this doesn't happen then history is just going to repeat itself and the western world is going to sink billions of dollars into a nation with a corrupt and cruel government.
After the second world war, the USA rebuilt Japan and the Japanese were not allowd to have a military. The USA set up bases there and did all their policing for them. Maybe replicate what happened in the rebuild of Japan, after the second world war, with Syria.
The only way Syria is going to become a peaceful nation, is to put in a western world provisional government to oversee law and order and developing a new infrastructure and government along the lines of democratic government.
If this doesn't happen then history is just going to repeat itself and the western world is going to sink billions of dollars into a nation with a corrupt and cruel government.
After the second world war, the USA rebuilt Japan and the Japanese were not allowd to have a military. The USA set up bases there and did all their policing for them. Maybe replicate what happened in the rebuild of Japan, after the second world war, with Syria.
4
We occupied Japan and ran its government. Are you sugessting a WWII solution to Syria. We can't even get Obama to let the jets drop their bombs.
2
Another option for the Syrian problem would be for the West to lease the nation, like Hong Kong, owned by China, was leased to the British.
Now, look at that economy compared to China, and that will tell you what a great job they did of building equity in the nation.
Now, look at that economy compared to China, and that will tell you what a great job they did of building equity in the nation.
It's another unfortunate sign of things to come. When the Tigris and Euphrates effectively dry up around 2040, there won't be much more food produced in the region. Those who don't leave will starve, or die of thirst. Nobody lives in the middle of the Sahara today, and in 2050 nobody will live in Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, or much of the rest of the area, for the same reason.
As for what could be done about the current situation, it won't be. The only really effective thing to do would be for a multi-national force to invade, with hundreds of thousands of troops, and dispatch or disarm all combatants, Assad's troops, the rebels, and the Daesh. Then occupy and govern Syria until it runs out of water, whereupon everyone will have to be evacuated.
But that'd be really expensive and require international consensus, so it won't happen. It's terrible what is happening to civilians trapped in Syria, but something terrible is always happening to humans somewhere, due to humans. It's what we do, inflict pain on eachother, and we're really efficient at it.
As for what could be done about the current situation, it won't be. The only really effective thing to do would be for a multi-national force to invade, with hundreds of thousands of troops, and dispatch or disarm all combatants, Assad's troops, the rebels, and the Daesh. Then occupy and govern Syria until it runs out of water, whereupon everyone will have to be evacuated.
But that'd be really expensive and require international consensus, so it won't happen. It's terrible what is happening to civilians trapped in Syria, but something terrible is always happening to humans somewhere, due to humans. It's what we do, inflict pain on eachother, and we're really efficient at it.
5
Let us not forget that the United States bears a large part of the burden for creating this problem by its air attacks. We claim that we are attacking ISIS and, as is our custom, we assert that we are doing a good thing. Dropping bombs anywhere in a situation like this is obviously not a good thing.
5
It is only obvious to you. Obama caused much of this for not enforcing the red line he declared. Or do you not want to remember that bit of incompetence and political cowardice?
1
So do you contend then that it'd be better to do nothing, and let Assad and the Daesh go on starving and killing people with a free hand? Or that it would be better to invade in full force, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands at least, but eventually putting a stop to the carnage? I can't think of other options but it'd be great to hear some.
2
It would be far better for us to do nothing than to continue to set the world aflame out of our abysmal hubristic ignorance.
1
After the Syria tragedy plays itself out in a few years and a new battlefield is desired by those with the means of war, will the United States start bombing Saudi Arabia?
If not, why not?
If not, why not?
2
One of cruelties of war and dealing with despotism is deciding whether the shepherd should protect the flock or hunt the wolves. The Mideast has settled back into unavoidable mediaeval barbarism because of it's toxic religious and civil strife. Inevitably blame is cast on those outside the conflict as both morally and ethical inept. A new class of blaming the west for "destabilizing" and exploiting the region can't move on. Isolationists fear the spread and costs in terms of human and financial sacrifice. Moralists demand immediate relief for suffering people at any cost.
6
Billions given in aid that never reaches its intended recipients. This is true throughout the middle east and africa. It makes no sense to give money, ever. Money is put into the pockets of despots.
We need to stop giving money of any kind and start dropping AND distributing food through the UN. Many here talk about the evil US, but no one seems to realize that things weren't so great before US involvement. We should not have gone into Iraq, but playing Monday morning quarterback is a pretty easy game. What the west doesn't seem to realize is that the middle east has always been tribal in nature, has never desired or supported diversity or freedom of thought or worship, and has always been unkind at best to minorities. Peace for any group is fragile and fleeting.
However, it appears that readers here have drunk the koolaid. Support of the Arab spring was likely the worst decision made by the US. Worse that Iraq or Afghanistan as it stoked the fragile living circumstances over the edge.
The middle east will never be a democracy as the west thinks of it; will always be tribal in nature and always be Sunni vs. Shiite vs. Christian vs. Buddhist. These pictures of children are a bit disingenuous, not even sure where they were taken, but I see that the men are all well fed and warmly dressed. What does that tell you?
We need to stop giving money of any kind and start dropping AND distributing food through the UN. Many here talk about the evil US, but no one seems to realize that things weren't so great before US involvement. We should not have gone into Iraq, but playing Monday morning quarterback is a pretty easy game. What the west doesn't seem to realize is that the middle east has always been tribal in nature, has never desired or supported diversity or freedom of thought or worship, and has always been unkind at best to minorities. Peace for any group is fragile and fleeting.
However, it appears that readers here have drunk the koolaid. Support of the Arab spring was likely the worst decision made by the US. Worse that Iraq or Afghanistan as it stoked the fragile living circumstances over the edge.
The middle east will never be a democracy as the west thinks of it; will always be tribal in nature and always be Sunni vs. Shiite vs. Christian vs. Buddhist. These pictures of children are a bit disingenuous, not even sure where they were taken, but I see that the men are all well fed and warmly dressed. What does that tell you?
10
In male dominated tribal society women and kids are of no value. Both sides see civilian sufferings is way to paint the adversary in bad light rather than own ultimate failure.
West must demand that at the next round of Peace negotiations all side have to have significant number of female representatives. In current conditions, most of any humanitarian aid will be taken over by 'fighters' and just prolong useless battle.
"The war will end when these people will learn to love own kids more than hate adversaries".
West must demand that at the next round of Peace negotiations all side have to have significant number of female representatives. In current conditions, most of any humanitarian aid will be taken over by 'fighters' and just prolong useless battle.
"The war will end when these people will learn to love own kids more than hate adversaries".
1
With all the planes from the US and Russia flying overhead, is there no one that can drop some food down to these people? Really?
5
Russia helps Assad commit these atrocities. Russia is not going to help Syrians that do not recognize the legitimacy of Assad's family dictatorship.
4
The Obvious answer, these people don't need food they need weapons, yes send in more weapons, weapons in the hands of everyone is the answer. Send weapons everywhere, it is good for our economy. Food and Peace and Healthy Happy Grandchildren is overrated don't you think? More bomb too, that will help.
4
You can't help but wonder where these rebels get all their weapons, ammunition, support and Toyotas.
This is blood on the hands of all those that tried to overthrow the Syrian government. What do you think war is like? Musical chairs? When you "like" posts on Facebook, donating to Free Syrian Army, defend Hillary and Obama ill-conceived Assad Must Go or call Syrian government "regime", what do you think will happen? Your encouragements keep the war going, keep ISIS well funded and keep opportunist politicians in power.
Every time you advocate regime-change, drone strike, targeted assassination, economic sanction... someone is going to die. You may think you are killing bad people but you are bad people to those people and they will fight back.
Every time you advocate regime-change, drone strike, targeted assassination, economic sanction... someone is going to die. You may think you are killing bad people but you are bad people to those people and they will fight back.
12
Like the Great Hunger in Ireland, the world stands by and watchs as people suffer a long and painful death from starvation. One that is preventable
Aren't we better than this some ask. No, this is actually the way we are - callous and and indifferent. We refuse to see our common humanity. For goodness sake, don't take them in. It only encourages them, sort of like the 47 percent of "takers" here.
Aren't we better than this some ask. No, this is actually the way we are - callous and and indifferent. We refuse to see our common humanity. For goodness sake, don't take them in. It only encourages them, sort of like the 47 percent of "takers" here.
3
This is terrible. What is also terrible is that the reason this story is on the front page of the Times is that it is useful in selling the American people on another war on a humanitarian pretext. The U.S. is an empire. Empires don't go to war to save people from starvation. They go to war to assert power on behalf of their own elites. If there are some people starving, they may cynically use that fact to gin up support for their plans, but we should not be fooled into believing their motives are humanitarian or that the net effect of more war won't be more suffering. This horror show is very much a consequence of previous Western interventions in the region and another one will not make things better.
10
The problem in Syria is no longer Assad rather it is the greed of the so called Super powers which have failed to take a joint action against an uncaring regime.
we shall remain haunted by our failure as a human race to intervene in Syria to save our own like is the case with Rwandan Genocide,
I think if USA allied with the rest of the world minus Assad and Putin, a lot of lives would be saved.
we shall remain haunted by our failure as a human race to intervene in Syria to save our own like is the case with Rwandan Genocide,
I think if USA allied with the rest of the world minus Assad and Putin, a lot of lives would be saved.
2
We can save the people of Syria, if, the US, Turks, Saudis, Qataris, Emiratis, Israelis, etc, stop funding the armed groups in that country. If there are no armed groups, there will be no suffering.
8
Please tell me which group the israelis are funding?
4
I think rebels must be hold responsible for civilians plight as much as Assad.
They failed to secure resupply routes and eventuate own civilians. Now they must be negotiating over surrender rather making ridiculous demands. West and UN must insist that rebel negation teams include local women.
So far these 'heroes' basically use own civilians as hostages and any aid will be taken over by fighters.
Obviously Government forces are brutal, but they are lesser evil than rebels who fight with total disregard to own civilians.
They failed to secure resupply routes and eventuate own civilians. Now they must be negotiating over surrender rather making ridiculous demands. West and UN must insist that rebel negation teams include local women.
So far these 'heroes' basically use own civilians as hostages and any aid will be taken over by fighters.
Obviously Government forces are brutal, but they are lesser evil than rebels who fight with total disregard to own civilians.
3
The world has sat by and watched the progressive self destruction on the Syrian population and now the starvation of an entire city.
We saw how the world responded to the plight of the Jews when responsible and able nations knew what was happening yet did not lift a finger to stop it.
I would hope those same nations would have learned from history and have the moral fortitude to drop food to help these people BEFORE it is too late!
The opportunity to bomb the railway lines to Auschwitz was lost; I would sincerely hope the opportunity to divert a few bombers to drop food will not be lost. People are starving, learn from the terrible failures of the past and act now.
Harold B. Schiff M.D.
Dean and Professor Medicine/Neurology
St.Martinus University
Kaya Fraternan di Scherpene #1,
Scherpenheuvel, Willemstad,
Curacao.
Netherlands Antilles
We saw how the world responded to the plight of the Jews when responsible and able nations knew what was happening yet did not lift a finger to stop it.
I would hope those same nations would have learned from history and have the moral fortitude to drop food to help these people BEFORE it is too late!
The opportunity to bomb the railway lines to Auschwitz was lost; I would sincerely hope the opportunity to divert a few bombers to drop food will not be lost. People are starving, learn from the terrible failures of the past and act now.
Harold B. Schiff M.D.
Dean and Professor Medicine/Neurology
St.Martinus University
Kaya Fraternan di Scherpene #1,
Scherpenheuvel, Willemstad,
Curacao.
Netherlands Antilles
9
And what are their Muslim brethren in Saudi Arabia and other wealthy, neighboring ME countries doing for any of these people today or ever?
What is wrong with this picture?
Guess their leaders are too busy filling their personal jets with gold and flying to where ever to indulge in western extravagances.
When are we ever going to ask these oil rich nations to chip in or help?
What is wrong with this picture?
Guess their leaders are too busy filling their personal jets with gold and flying to where ever to indulge in western extravagances.
When are we ever going to ask these oil rich nations to chip in or help?
18
A very pertinent remark which is lost on people like Merkel and many of the contributors to this blog who are hobbled with 'white guilt'. It is obvious that the Bush Jr administration was guilty of a criminal invasion of a sovereign state in 2003, yet many of us in the West opposed this action which set the ball rolling for further violence and anarchy in such a complicated part of the world, divided along ethnic, tribal, and sectarian lines. This is a mainly ARAB problem for other Arabs to solve, not head cases like Merkel whose folly parallels that of George W. Bush.
7
Listen I though the Iraq war was stupidity personified. However, that war was through Congress so as the people we have to take responsibility for that.
1
Editors of the NYT, please demand that the United Nations must develop a humanitarian basis for a forceful intervention in those Syrian areas where the population is starving as a result of rebel control and pro-government siege. To allow this atrocity to continue in the same way that the Untied Nations and major nations constantly delayed intervention in the 1990s Bosnian War of ethnic cleansing is a sin that stains the souls of those in power who claim they control great military and economic forces.
Note that he United States and other Allied nations had the temperament and the ability to confront the Soviet blockade of Berlin in 1948-49, air dropping food and supplies to a besieged city while avoiding military armed conflict.
Note that he United States and other Allied nations had the temperament and the ability to confront the Soviet blockade of Berlin in 1948-49, air dropping food and supplies to a besieged city while avoiding military armed conflict.
6
Lotta glowering men. Not all that excited about having them here either. Sorry.
10
bush was fond of remarking that history would judge his action in iraq
not lookin' good, Georgie, not lookin' good
not lookin' good, Georgie, not lookin' good
7
Since the Armenian genocide the world has stood aloof while these tragedies recur endlessly. Samantha Powers documented this years ago. There is now plenty of material for a sequel.
1
It's always the poor and innocent children who pay the price during conflicts. Madaya resident are in urgent need for airdrop food, where is the UN? Very shameful.
I have to say that people in Africa are also dying of malnutrition. We are in urgent need of a global Philanthropic mind set. Rather then thinking about buying more clothes, a new car, toys. Let's ask the question, are other human beings in urgent need of a meal?
I have to say that people in Africa are also dying of malnutrition. We are in urgent need of a global Philanthropic mind set. Rather then thinking about buying more clothes, a new car, toys. Let's ask the question, are other human beings in urgent need of a meal?
6
Let us refresh our memories as to how these conflicts were begun.
Shall we review the fall of functioning societies in North Africa?
Shall we review the fall of functioning societies in North Africa?
12
Nothing less should be expected from Mr. Assad, a desperate despot whose main interests lie self-preservation rather than in the welfare of his people. We are witnessing the downfall of humanity, and the future of Syria.
13
th downfall of humanity has been going on for quite some time now
its typical of th human race they cant even destroy themselves properly
anything that can be done to promote that is a step in th right direction, and is inevitable in any case
its typical of th human race they cant even destroy themselves properly
anything that can be done to promote that is a step in th right direction, and is inevitable in any case
2
@thx
Longtime downfall? Maybe so. But we are reaching new depths. And judging by what is happening now, it certainly doesn't look like we have the ability to "step in the right direction"....At least as far as Syria concerned.
Longtime downfall? Maybe so. But we are reaching new depths. And judging by what is happening now, it certainly doesn't look like we have the ability to "step in the right direction"....At least as far as Syria concerned.
The horrors of war are just not found on the battlefield, as clearly demonstrated in this article.
The most protracted and unnecessary suffering usually ends up being inflicted upon the very people we're trying to help. This is (usually) not intentional, but obvious and avoidable pitfalls continue to sideline an already complicated and multi-faceted armed conflict.
I hope we don't end up killing the people we say we're trying to save.
The most protracted and unnecessary suffering usually ends up being inflicted upon the very people we're trying to help. This is (usually) not intentional, but obvious and avoidable pitfalls continue to sideline an already complicated and multi-faceted armed conflict.
I hope we don't end up killing the people we say we're trying to save.
15
"we're trying to help."
I learned long ago to be suspicious of all unsolicited help.
I learned long ago to be suspicious of all unsolicited help.
2
@Turgut Dincer
Sadly, it's called: "The path to Hell is paved with good intentions"...
Sadly, it's called: "The path to Hell is paved with good intentions"...
Five to six years ago people were very optimistic about the "Arab Spring" especially in Syria. With the brutal crackdown by government forces, then government defections and now mass starvation it seems like people are starting to call it the Arab Winter.
You can blame the West, or you can blame Russia, but sometimes I think neither side has as much power or influence in the Middle East as they think. Whatever happens to Syria will be in the hands of the Syrian people and yes the Syrian government.
You can blame the West, or you can blame Russia, but sometimes I think neither side has as much power or influence in the Middle East as they think. Whatever happens to Syria will be in the hands of the Syrian people and yes the Syrian government.
19
"This is (usually) not intentional"
But predictable!
But predictable!
2
Welcome to Bashar's Syria... I wasn't aware of this -- though I am not surprised to learn about it.
The article says that world powers and the UN are trying to placate Assad and do not want to upset him by bringing up Madaya, hoping that he will come around during the negotiations.
Problem is: that's his typical strategy. That's been his father's strategy too: Get what they want from world powers by making them believe that they are amenable to their plans (whatever these are) while continuing in their own schemes, killing, maiming, starving Lebanese, Palestinians and now their own people.
They never give up anything willingly, leaving everyone who bet on their turning around disappointed.
Been doing that since the 1970s and yet the world falls for it still...
The article says that world powers and the UN are trying to placate Assad and do not want to upset him by bringing up Madaya, hoping that he will come around during the negotiations.
Problem is: that's his typical strategy. That's been his father's strategy too: Get what they want from world powers by making them believe that they are amenable to their plans (whatever these are) while continuing in their own schemes, killing, maiming, starving Lebanese, Palestinians and now their own people.
They never give up anything willingly, leaving everyone who bet on their turning around disappointed.
Been doing that since the 1970s and yet the world falls for it still...
10
Exactly. Things look more intense for the bleeding hearts because information is relayed much faster thanks to internet and cell phones.
With that in mind, the provincial-minded should look up the 1982 Hama massacre perpetuated by Bashar's father against the Muslim Brotherhood.
Estimations of casualties vary, up to 40,000 : Hafez al-Assad did a replay of Dresden with merciless bombing of this city to bits. So where was the sympathy you should have also demonstrated to the 'collateral' victims of this largely forgotten atrocity in the Middle East?
With that in mind, the provincial-minded should look up the 1982 Hama massacre perpetuated by Bashar's father against the Muslim Brotherhood.
Estimations of casualties vary, up to 40,000 : Hafez al-Assad did a replay of Dresden with merciless bombing of this city to bits. So where was the sympathy you should have also demonstrated to the 'collateral' victims of this largely forgotten atrocity in the Middle East?
1
Terrorism is nothing new and is certainly a major component in siege warfare. In the 12th century attackers lobbed plague-riddled corpses over the walls, now we take cell phone pictures of starving children and lob them at the press. The West needs to get focused on what involvement we are willing to have in this ancient feud between the Arabs and Iranians being fought with medieval tactics. The longest lasting modern war was the Iraqi-Iranian war between the Arab Bathsts (now ISIS) and Iran. That war resulted in millions of deaths and the cruelest of atrocities. Syria is a continuance of this ethnic hatred between the Arabs and Persians and is a conflict engrained at a deep primal level in the DNA of the Middle East psyche. This is a siege lasting more than 1500 years and we are kidding ourselves if we believe reason will prevail anytime soon. By supplying arms and becoming unwitting proxies we are only prolonging the suffering.
11
What this "humanitarian crisis" requires is more humanity.
4
Where is the comment from the Obama administration on this crisis??
6
They can drop bombs by the dozen -- they can get weapons any and everywhere -- and they suddenly cannot feed their own people! Really???
9
1) Station US aircraft carrier laden with food directly off coast from Madaya.
2) Helicopter airdrop food, water, medical supplies to Madaya.
3) Destroy from air any weaponry directed against this mission of mercy.
Who in military command does not remember the Berlin airlift?
If it's so simple I can figure it out, what's wrong here?
2) Helicopter airdrop food, water, medical supplies to Madaya.
3) Destroy from air any weaponry directed against this mission of mercy.
Who in military command does not remember the Berlin airlift?
If it's so simple I can figure it out, what's wrong here?
8
What's wrong is why use carrier and helicopters when you can use bigger and more efficient cargo aircraft taking off from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey. In fact, a ground convoy is heading to the ISIS held city and that's even cheaper than airdrop.
And this is what wrong with some people. Everything is carrier this, bomb that when the military don't have to be involved at all. It is truly if all you have is a hammer everything is a nail. The Syrian conflict wouldn't have started if we didn't let those people lead.
And this is what wrong with some people. Everything is carrier this, bomb that when the military don't have to be involved at all. It is truly if all you have is a hammer everything is a nail. The Syrian conflict wouldn't have started if we didn't let those people lead.
5
Exactly: We kept a city of MILLIONS from starving in 1948; can't we prevent a small town from succumbing?
3
Simple - that's not profitable to defense contractors.
It's time for all Muslims to unite and organize and pay for food drops. Who's with me? Anyone? Hello?
13
I suggest the "patriots" here on the US who are forever hinting at a second civil war take a close look at the suffering and destruction created by such conflicts.
17
why the 4 Apocalypse horsmans dont give up on bad deeds (us,israel,saudis,turkey) and let Assad alone?
I know that territory expansion is something they like very much, but than again, there are childrens in hunger, and the horsemans love childrens, dont they?
I know that territory expansion is something they like very much, but than again, there are childrens in hunger, and the horsemans love childrens, dont they?
8
What in the world does Israel have to do with the civil war in Syria?
5
Dick Cheney adds more notches to his belt of death.
14
My goodness is he now impersonating Obama and running this administration also. How does he manage that?
2
While not defending or condemning Cheney, Dick Cheney did not tell Assad to rule a brutal and discriminatory police state that Syrians finally rose up against in 2011. The Syrian Revolution began because of Assad's authoritarian police state actions that led to an uprising.
3
Dear JeffP,
I hate Cheney as much as any rational person, but really this one is not on him. Syria devolved into bloody chaos on its own, not due to the Bush administration.
I hate Cheney as much as any rational person, but really this one is not on him. Syria devolved into bloody chaos on its own, not due to the Bush administration.
2
Imagine being a Syrian in this position. As the article notes, Syria was largely a middle income country prior to this conflict. I cannot understand our continued lack of empathy and the blinders we put on, distancing ourselves from these individuals and pretending as if they have nothing in common with us or that we in America are immune to ever experiencing this kind strife. We are lucky this doesn't happen in our back yards. The too late response of most, after four years in, is pennies and meaningless actions so that governments and organizations can feel better about themselves for avoiding offering assistance sooner, because they initially didn't want to be seen as meddling or putting a stake in on the ground on such an "uncomfortable" situation. Once middle income countries shouldn't see their residents starving in the streets.
13
Sounds like the US
All of these dreadful horrible conflicts, in the Middle East, in Africa, everywhere, are finally fueled with access to modern more than deadly arms; civilians being the main victims. I virtually never hear a comment here as regards this question.
3
How can their fellow Arabs allow them to starve like this? Decades ago, the Middle Eastern oil countries almost brought US to our knees through oil, yet now today, these same powerful countries cannot airlift or airdrop food supplies in Syria? Or do they not want to?
The leadership in Middle East is sorely lacking. They've been too content to let US/UK/France take the lead for decades, making all the investment and risk while they barely lift their heads out from their royal homes. Time to stand up and be counted fellas.
The leadership in Middle East is sorely lacking. They've been too content to let US/UK/France take the lead for decades, making all the investment and risk while they barely lift their heads out from their royal homes. Time to stand up and be counted fellas.
9
Not one country in the region is stepping in to help this horrific problem that the Syrian gov't thinks is a way to bring the rebels to their knees. Is there never a thought of humanitarian aid? Is there ever a thought to go beyond thinking of religious and tribal differences?
The Middle East countries should be jumping in, and they aren't lifting a finger.
The Middle East countries should be jumping in, and they aren't lifting a finger.
5
American leadership would help. We can't solve all problems, but we could be leading the way to solutions with other nations. Interesting point: I did a search on this article and the word "Obama" never appears. Not once.
3
Syrian Migrant Crisis: Horrible, tragic...and not our problem.
We have children starving in urban Black and rural White communities right here in America.
We have children starving in urban Black and rural White communities right here in America.
9
What about food stamps?
1
And your apparent preferred Republican Party ridicules, marginalizes and criminalizes the poor every single day. Apparently they think hunger in America is not our problem either.
2
So what's your party doing about those urban kids, DC?
1
These rebels wanted and started the conflict. Now they do not like the results. They wanted their cake and eat it also; didn't work out. Live/die with the results.
4
My family began in Syria, all of us. It makes me want to scream. And Assad will outlast Obama.
7
New York Times: Start asking people to post under their real names, please. Can anyone claim that starving people deserve to die, or pretend to associate themselves with a cause, when they are supporting the opposite, if they are held accountable?
1
Free Syria or move the Syrians to safety and be quick about it. Don't play games with people's lives,
3
See what "civilized" countries do to "uncivilized" countries! There are no limits to human greed and cruelty!
Would a rich person treat his/her younger brother/sister treat that way?
Would a rich person treat his/her younger brother/sister treat that way?
2
At what point does a nation such as ours, with all the power it has, simply say "I've had enough" and just do the right thing when it sees carnage on this level occur? The UN, as was the League of Nations, is totally ineffective.
The parallel with 1915-1922 and the Armenians, of the United States standing by as religious genocide occurs in Syria is striking.
The absolute only way to fix this problem is for the two countries most able to effect a solution—the United States and Russia—should be working together at a common goal, to get rid of the butcher Assad and put a government in place which is non-sectarian and give it the ability to govern effectively. Instead they play Big Power politics with each other.
To hell with Saudi Arabia and Iran and their miserable mullahs. It's time to stand up to this carnage on moral grounds. IF ever there was a time for rapprochement between the US and Russia, it's now.
The parallel with 1915-1922 and the Armenians, of the United States standing by as religious genocide occurs in Syria is striking.
The absolute only way to fix this problem is for the two countries most able to effect a solution—the United States and Russia—should be working together at a common goal, to get rid of the butcher Assad and put a government in place which is non-sectarian and give it the ability to govern effectively. Instead they play Big Power politics with each other.
To hell with Saudi Arabia and Iran and their miserable mullahs. It's time to stand up to this carnage on moral grounds. IF ever there was a time for rapprochement between the US and Russia, it's now.
5
How do Doctors Without Borders get supplies or eat?
6
They don't. They're suffering along with the people of this town and they are doing whatever they can to help them. We, on the otherhand, are doing nothing. Other than droping bombs of course. The DWB workers are heros. And they have no guns.
2
An advanced species would not allow these atrocities to be committed against defenseless children, but it happens again and again with almost certain regularity. Outrageous!!!
4
Don't you see that rebels actually using own civilians as hostages?
These is male dominated society - both sides care about own women and kids.
"The war will end when XYZ will learn to love own kids when they hate others".
These is male dominated society - both sides care about own women and kids.
"The war will end when XYZ will learn to love own kids when they hate others".
I am not moved. The violence in Syria and Iraq is mainly inter-Arab and inter-Muslim, let the members of those communities resolve their internal issues which are of no direct concern to us in the West except when those who disrespect borders eventually reach civilised lands for pillage, rape, and profit.
No more Colognes, please!
No more Colognes, please!
6
The claim that some Syrian refugees may be terrorist so therefore none should be admitted is reminiscent of the one that some Jews fleeing the Nazis might be Communist so they should all be kept out.
6
Are you a human being or a robot? With inflation and high cost of living in France, you might be next.
4
I mean, it's one thing to think countries should step up, but to not be moved? That's something else. And it's kind of frightening.
1
Tragic. Heartbreaking. Terribly sad.
The direct result of Obama's failed Syria policies.
Not America's problem.
When will the NYT stop running these sob stories as a diversion as Obama relocates Syrian migrants into the United States who haven't undergone the same criminal background check that someone driving 10 miles over the speed limit would undergo during a routine traffic stop?
I am a Black lawyer in Washington DC. I work on Capitol Hill.
Did you know that not one human being in the Obama WH or his administration will sign a sworn statement certifying ANY of the Syrian migrants being relocated into the USA are no threat to the American people or US national security? Did you know Obama isn't willing to wave immunity from lawsuit as a show of good faith that the undocumented illegals and Syrian migrants he's been transporting across the USA aren't criminals and won't pose a threat to you or your family?
Yet with a wink, a nod and a NYT sob story, we are just supposed to sit back and accept all this.
No freaking way.
The direct result of Obama's failed Syria policies.
Not America's problem.
When will the NYT stop running these sob stories as a diversion as Obama relocates Syrian migrants into the United States who haven't undergone the same criminal background check that someone driving 10 miles over the speed limit would undergo during a routine traffic stop?
I am a Black lawyer in Washington DC. I work on Capitol Hill.
Did you know that not one human being in the Obama WH or his administration will sign a sworn statement certifying ANY of the Syrian migrants being relocated into the USA are no threat to the American people or US national security? Did you know Obama isn't willing to wave immunity from lawsuit as a show of good faith that the undocumented illegals and Syrian migrants he's been transporting across the USA aren't criminals and won't pose a threat to you or your family?
Yet with a wink, a nod and a NYT sob story, we are just supposed to sit back and accept all this.
No freaking way.
6
So if it a direct result of our failed policies, how is it not our problem?
Secondly, it's beyond silly to expect anyone to swear that someone else will never do anything wrong. No one has that kind of control over another. Mitigating risk is what we do instead. This isn't a new concept. Your ultimatums are not designed to be workable, as you know. This is showboating.
Secondly, it's beyond silly to expect anyone to swear that someone else will never do anything wrong. No one has that kind of control over another. Mitigating risk is what we do instead. This isn't a new concept. Your ultimatums are not designed to be workable, as you know. This is showboating.
3
It is times like this that one laughs out loud at the designation `super powers'. All have failed these people; all should be ashamed.
2
Instead of killing innocent people with our incessant airstrikes, why can't we drop some food for them?
8
What is actually stopping the U.S. from airlifting food and supplies. Are we so terrified of this tinhorn dictator?
Just do what is right America and the West and airlift all the food and supplies you can screw that monster in charge. You want to put all the bombing to good use?
Bomb Assad, he is a monster of the highest degree.
What are we so terrified of.
Just do what is right America and the West and airlift all the food and supplies you can screw that monster in charge. You want to put all the bombing to good use?
Bomb Assad, he is a monster of the highest degree.
What are we so terrified of.
8
There are no worse creatures than humans.
5
Well, not on this planet, but we really don't know what's out there in the wider galaxy.
Human cruelty of unfathomable proportions -- this is a shameful view of humanity.
8
And yet the only view that is consistent and true.
Please explain, someone, why we can drop bombs all over Syria at a huge cost, but we cannot airdrop food supplies into this besieged and starving city. Food costs must less than bombs.
30
Actually, we can drop food supplies. Although the US was not necessarily prompt in doing so, supplies were dropped in and around Mount Sinjar when Daesh had forced the Yazidi community to flee for their lives several months back. This is something that the US could presumably do again in these Sunni strongholds. One has to wonder though: Given the proneness to conspiratorial thinking in the region, will doing so lead the Iranian government, Hezbollah and the Iraqi Shiite leadership to declare war on the US for abetting the Sunnis? Sadly, this does not seem to be a region where even something as benign as a Syrian version of the Marshall plan won't be met with substantial blowback. Don't think so? Consider this: Osama Bin Laden was (and still is) revered as a folk hero to many around the world. One of the reasons he cited for the 9/11 attacks was the decision of western powers to oppose the Indonesian government's genocide in East Timor, which Bin Laden viewed as "Muslim land". Although providing food supplies is the morally correct thing to do, we need to acknowledge that even something like this can fan the flames of hatred against us.
1
How incredibly horrible.
The UN has become a useless agency, with its power to be a unifying force for good diluted by the petty squabbles and bickering over power. Reform of the UN is needed, so that it is better able to address the immediate concerns of the world, rather than becoming bogged down in political machinations. We are witnessing a shameful demise of an admirable concept!
The UN has become a useless agency, with its power to be a unifying force for good diluted by the petty squabbles and bickering over power. Reform of the UN is needed, so that it is better able to address the immediate concerns of the world, rather than becoming bogged down in political machinations. We are witnessing a shameful demise of an admirable concept!
16
For decades, Muslim countries have had control of some of the U.N.'s biggest committees -- Human Rights among them. Really, it's to laugh. That's what happened to the U.N. Too busy castigating Israel for defending itself.
6
The UN refugee agency is attempting to care for an estimated 60 million displaced persons throughout the Middle East and N. Africa - most of which are fleeing Muslim on Muslim violence. Currently the UN is woefully underfunded and is cutting services badly needed. "The United Nations Syria Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan, which groups a number of humanitarian agencies and covers development aid for the countries bordering Syria, had by the end of August received just 37 percent of the $4.5 billion appeal for needed funds this year." Yes, reform of UN operations is probably needed, but with the pressures of climate change and escalating Arab-Iranian feuding, the first priority is to fund current operations. It may not be perfect, but the UN is all that millions of people have for survival right now.
1
Let's face it, the UN is through.
The unwillingness for the al-Assad government to permit even a temporary cease-fire and lifting of the blockade of Madaya and other cities in Syria to allow for relief aid to flow from the United Nations points to four critical facts:
1. The al-Assad government has no willingness to negotiate with anyone to provide human relief to his own people in the besieged and encircled Madaya.
2. The fact that Russia, the critical partner of the al-Assad government, is unwilling to persuade the al-Assad government to permit even a temporary a cease-fire and lifting of the blockade of Madaya means that Russia is complicit to the inhuman suffering in the besieged and encircled Madaya and other cities in Syria.
3. The al-Assad government will be an unwilling participant in the United Nations sponsored round of peace talks planned for Jan. 25.
4. Although al-Assad is presiding over both a destroyed country and a broken state, the al-Assad government’s strength over various rebel groups is only relative within his own country.
The key to resolving the problems in Syria are in Moscow and the Arab League.
Putin must persuade (lean on) al-Assad to cooperate with the international community to being an end to this self-destructive civil war that has resulted in too many deaths and the departure of large numbers of refugees.
But the Arab League has repeatedly proved that it is long on verbiage and short on delivery.
Putin holds the key to resolving this inhuman disaster.
1. The al-Assad government has no willingness to negotiate with anyone to provide human relief to his own people in the besieged and encircled Madaya.
2. The fact that Russia, the critical partner of the al-Assad government, is unwilling to persuade the al-Assad government to permit even a temporary a cease-fire and lifting of the blockade of Madaya means that Russia is complicit to the inhuman suffering in the besieged and encircled Madaya and other cities in Syria.
3. The al-Assad government will be an unwilling participant in the United Nations sponsored round of peace talks planned for Jan. 25.
4. Although al-Assad is presiding over both a destroyed country and a broken state, the al-Assad government’s strength over various rebel groups is only relative within his own country.
The key to resolving the problems in Syria are in Moscow and the Arab League.
Putin must persuade (lean on) al-Assad to cooperate with the international community to being an end to this self-destructive civil war that has resulted in too many deaths and the departure of large numbers of refugees.
But the Arab League has repeatedly proved that it is long on verbiage and short on delivery.
Putin holds the key to resolving this inhuman disaster.
9
This is just total hypocrisy. 66% population lives in regime controls areas. 20% of population of Syrians lives in under Kurdish controls areas - which hopefully controlled by anti-religious secular YPG - So there is no 40k civilians or something. All those sunni Muslims who lives in Islamist areas are supporting terrorism. That is the fact.
Everyone must know this. Real starving and state terror is happening now in Yemen and Turkey. The west is silent when Saudis bombs innocent Yemeni civilians. The West totally silent about about what is happening in Turkey. 1.3 million Kurds curfew by turkish special forces. Almost 300 civilians died since July. Including almost 50 children and even few months two babies. You can't go to hospital, you can go to shopping if your relative died on the street you cannot pick them up from them because snipers can shot you. Mothers put their children into the fridge last summer. 10k special units against 400 17-18 years old kurdish youth who has only broken weapons. Turkish special forces screening "allahu -ekber on the streets with NATO weapons.
Why because these 7 cities are one the strongest places which supports PKK, anti Islamist, leftist, secular movement, Which for the middle est they looks like a diamond. And the western media? Nothing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THIS FASCIST BRUTALITY. Do not look Syria look at the Turkey. No wonder muslims taken slowly european cities. Because your stupidity
Everyone must know this. Real starving and state terror is happening now in Yemen and Turkey. The west is silent when Saudis bombs innocent Yemeni civilians. The West totally silent about about what is happening in Turkey. 1.3 million Kurds curfew by turkish special forces. Almost 300 civilians died since July. Including almost 50 children and even few months two babies. You can't go to hospital, you can go to shopping if your relative died on the street you cannot pick them up from them because snipers can shot you. Mothers put their children into the fridge last summer. 10k special units against 400 17-18 years old kurdish youth who has only broken weapons. Turkish special forces screening "allahu -ekber on the streets with NATO weapons.
Why because these 7 cities are one the strongest places which supports PKK, anti Islamist, leftist, secular movement, Which for the middle est they looks like a diamond. And the western media? Nothing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THIS FASCIST BRUTALITY. Do not look Syria look at the Turkey. No wonder muslims taken slowly european cities. Because your stupidity
3
You've convinced me that we need to stop playing at war with Islam. We either need to let the various forms of Islam kill each other off, or go to war with all of it. There is no set of 'moderate rebels' to support.
3
Disastrous situations like this are what you always get when you overlook the actual accomplished individuals and instead elect social icons based on how well someone wears a suit, or sings, or tells a joke, or skin color.
When that non-leader then multiplies the effects by surrounding himself with political hacks like Hillary Clinton and Eric Holder, you have he recipe for the perfect storm of mistakes.
When that non-leader then multiplies the effects by surrounding himself with political hacks like Hillary Clinton and Eric Holder, you have he recipe for the perfect storm of mistakes.
2
US regime change policies are causing chaos and killing in many countries. Can we stop trying to run the world?
6
The Syrian Revolution started in 2011 after Assad responded to nationwide peaceful demonstrations for equal rights by having the SAA open fire on Syrians and used his secret police to arrest, intimidate and torture suspected sympathizers of the demonstrations.
The US has made plenty of mistakes in its time, but only the Assad regimes brutality led to this conflict.
The US has made plenty of mistakes in its time, but only the Assad regimes brutality led to this conflict.
2
While conservatives decry Obama's cowardice, David Brooks got it right in describing his Syria policy as Machiavellian. Well, this simply an up-close view of what Machiavellian looks like.
1
The starving conditions are terrible, and the photos of starving children (elsewhere on the internet) heartbreaking, but I do have to ask:
1. Why are we more outraged by death in war by starvation than e.g. by shooting, bombing, gas, or torture? Aren't they all equally awful features of war?
2. Why does their plight represent "a stark failure of international powers"? How can international powers possibly resolve a civil war?
1. Why are we more outraged by death in war by starvation than e.g. by shooting, bombing, gas, or torture? Aren't they all equally awful features of war?
2. Why does their plight represent "a stark failure of international powers"? How can international powers possibly resolve a civil war?
4
"Starving Syrians in Madaya," Jan. 10, 2016. How ironical that Pope Francis should issue a call for greater mercy for the poor than ever before on the same day we are treated to the news of the horror of innocent Syrians, including thousands of children, dying of starvation in Madaya. The horror is accentuated by the fact that it is not lack of food that's snuffing out lives Madaya, but politicians' lack of mercy for those reduced to eating animals, pets, and grass to keep their lives from petering out. How can global and regional powers like the U. S, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia fail to
prevent willful starvation of thousands of Syrian civilians is beyond comprehension. Nothing is more important at this moment than their acting in unison to bring food and medicine to the thousands trapped in Madaya whose survival depends on them. This cannot happen unless there's a ceasefire in Syria respected by dictator Assad, the rebel groups, ISIS, and, more important, Russia and the U. S.
All fair-minded Americans would expect President Obama to use his State of the Union address as an occasion to reinforce Pope Francis's heartfelt call to us to show that the "Quality of mercy is never strained."
prevent willful starvation of thousands of Syrian civilians is beyond comprehension. Nothing is more important at this moment than their acting in unison to bring food and medicine to the thousands trapped in Madaya whose survival depends on them. This cannot happen unless there's a ceasefire in Syria respected by dictator Assad, the rebel groups, ISIS, and, more important, Russia and the U. S.
All fair-minded Americans would expect President Obama to use his State of the Union address as an occasion to reinforce Pope Francis's heartfelt call to us to show that the "Quality of mercy is never strained."
4
See what "civilized" countries do to "uncivilized" countries! There are no limits to human greed and cruelty!
2
Dear Turgut Dincer,
Really this is a matter of uncivilized people doing this to eachother. America isn't keeping food from reaching these Syrians, it's other Syrians doing it.
Really this is a matter of uncivilized people doing this to eachother. America isn't keeping food from reaching these Syrians, it's other Syrians doing it.
2
Dan, I take issue with your comment. A very large percentage of the rebels are in fact foreign fighters that most likely have crossed into Syria via Turkey along with plenty of weapons. And many of the rebels are supported by foreign governments against the Assad government.
Dear E.S.,
You're right, there are a lot of foreign fighters and foreign investment in the Syrian carnage. But the Assad government is entirely Syrian, even if they're backed by Russia and so forth, and they're doing some of the starvation tactics. And the majority of the rebels and the local Daesh are Syrian too.
You're right, there are a lot of foreign fighters and foreign investment in the Syrian carnage. But the Assad government is entirely Syrian, even if they're backed by Russia and so forth, and they're doing some of the starvation tactics. And the majority of the rebels and the local Daesh are Syrian too.
Fellow Muslim country Qatar has the highest per capita income in the world. Nearby Muslim countries (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrian) are among the top 10 richest Muslim countries. Does anyone consider these starving Syrians as their Muslim Brothers? The Saudi's groom their thoroughbred horses better and buy vast amount of real estate. The country is planning to launch six “economic cities” which are planned to be completed by 2020. Isn't there room for their fellow Muslims to the north? I'm not sure how this is all justified relative to their "religion."
52
After burning a house would we ask the rich neighbors help the owner, or is it better to pay for it by the person who burned the house in the first place?
Nice try. They burn their own house.
3
War is hell and to try to temper it to make it more humane is a futile enterprise.
To moderate the impact of an on going war even among non-combatants gives advantage to one side or the other.
The lesson here is if you don't want to experience the suffering of war don't start one.
To moderate the impact of an on going war even among non-combatants gives advantage to one side or the other.
The lesson here is if you don't want to experience the suffering of war don't start one.
4
Such luxury and obliviousness, to say that from NYC. The US has started plenty of wars - Iraq as one example.
2
The civilians who are suffering didn't start the war, genius.
4
And the evil well-fed clerics smugly dine on and on and on and on turning a blind eye to the starvation and disease wrought by Islam's death squads set on a global cleansing of all who worship differently.
8
The assads are not particularly religious, though they'll happily take advantage of someone else's religious differences to remain in power. It has nothing to do w/ Islam; it only has to do with retaining power.
5
It doesn't matter if these rebels aren't ISIS. Even the non-ISIS rebels there have a horrific record of decapitations, rape, capturing 'slaves,' and eliminating religious minorities.
These are homicidal maniacs. They deserve what they're getting, and it's time for the US to support Assad. Let these people migrate because they're losing, and we wind up with rape and assault on a mass scale in Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Finland. We wind up with terror attacks over here. Let Assad take care of these people over there, so we don't have to over here.
These are homicidal maniacs. They deserve what they're getting, and it's time for the US to support Assad. Let these people migrate because they're losing, and we wind up with rape and assault on a mass scale in Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Finland. We wind up with terror attacks over here. Let Assad take care of these people over there, so we don't have to over here.
14
Can someone not airlift MREs? Would they be shot down? Seems the various combatants can drop bombs easily enough.
6
" Syria was once classified as a middle income country." Believe me, I'm no fan of Bashar Assad who has now become the monster killing his own people. In retrospect, would'nt it have been better if we left Bashar Assad, alone? For one, he was secular, keeping the warring tribes from killing one another, with an iron fist. But at least, the Syrians had stability, a decent life and women with greater freedom unlike the rest of the Middle East. He was at peace with Israel and had not gone to war with his neighbors. But once again we decided to upturn the apple cart supporting Sunni insurgents at the behest of extremists, the Saudis. Now it is total disarray, absolute pandemonium. Syrians are displaced, hungry, terrorized, brutally murdered by the insurgents and Assad's forces. And nobody wants them. The ISIS has risen from this graveyard, forming a Caliphate. And now everybody has joined into this bloodbath. Again, I abhor Assad but at least we should have chosen the lesser of two evils. It has become a free for all, just terror and evil with no choice to a less.
136
I am tired of hearing of always hearing how middle easterners are better off with dictators; the Arabs are deserving of democratic institutions. just like the rest of humanity; Democracy does not come over night. It's a struggle, a process, bloody sometimes and freedom has as its dues. If you can support them in their quest, please do so. if not, at least don't cheer dictatorships and injustice.
11
We didn't 'upturn the apple cart'. This was started internally and events unfolded to take advantage of mess that we did create.
5
Adil, so you believe we should be going around the world overthrowing dictators and imposing democracy on them. Hasn't worked anywhere yet but I guess if we get overthrowing countries, we might have one success eventually.
Political power struggles of this magnitude lead to a lot of dead civilians. We should NEVER encourage any group/country to engage in civil war because the price is blood and death. Obama and Hillary own this mess with their naive rhetoric and only through extreme rationalization can they pretend they did not have a hand in it.
23
I can't imagine the dispair for the people who are trapped. I'm praying for a gram of humanity to cover them.
6
Serious question: is overpopulation a problem in the Middle East?
23
Now, or 20 years from now when the aqifers are bone dry? At 3 to 6 children per woman in ME countries, I'd say, yes, too many kids coming. Not enough employment for those there now.
5
Yes, L.Ohmer. There's an overpopulation of leaders.
3
How disturbing that a leader (who is also a doctor) can be so evil. And even more disturbing that no one seems to be able to stop him. People starving to death for no reason. It is not a world that God was hoping for.
6
Where are those rich Muslim oil countries? Why don't they come in and help these people who have their world views and religious belief?
49
What a stupid comment; you obviously didn't read the article. The towns are under siege. NO ONE can get in.
3
So much for Obama's Arab Spring. One day, we will know the full extent of the "behind the scenes" machinations of Obama and Hillary in encouraging the insurgency against Assad. Probably among all of those classified memos on Hillary's email server.
11
It's a pity that you're using human suffering to make a cynical political attack on the president and Ms. Clinton. The current spasm of political instability was caused by the Bush administration's invasion of Iraq and subsequent meddling to promote democracy.
9
The UN is apparently run by ineffective, well-paid leaders. I believe they suffer from the same problems faced in the corporate and political spheres. Let's give the UN back to true humanitarians.
6
The UN has very little strenght because the powwerful nations of the world don't want them to have any power. The US created the chaos. It all started with the invasion of Iraq.
2
Yes, the ME was a paradise of peace before we came in and ruined it.
3
It was relatviely stable, not a paradise of peace. Do you deny that our incursion made everything worse?
The Middle East. They just keep on fighting. There seems to be no objective, there seem to be no winners, only losers. The UN appears useless. Just another horrible story.
6
We, The United States by the efforts of our President, are about to hand Iran $300 Billion. At the very same moment Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah is causing all the misery with its siege.
The NYT noted, at the time that President made the Iran agreement, that it would be a major Legacy item for the President. That was a foolish comment by the NYT. What is shocking is that even before we hand over the money the Iranians rub it in the Presidents face with the ballistic missile launches and not even a gesture toward the Unites States humanitarian effort here.
The NYT noted, at the time that President made the Iran agreement, that it would be a major Legacy item for the President. That was a foolish comment by the NYT. What is shocking is that even before we hand over the money the Iranians rub it in the Presidents face with the ballistic missile launches and not even a gesture toward the Unites States humanitarian effort here.
9
First it is Iran's money. Blaming Hezbollah for what's happening is just totally wrong. They are just one of a cast of many involved there. The US is not making a humanitarian effort. We are the cause of much of this chaos.
1
What's real and what's propaganda? People are undoubtedly suffering there, but in that video of the little boy, there is an apparently well-fed woman standing right behind him. She quickly exits apparently wen she sees she being filmed. And would this boy be standing up talking like that if he hadn't eaten in 7 days? I'd like to think people wouldn't phony up this stuff, but there was something about the way he was posed, too. It looks like there was some sort of glass counter at about waist level that distorts the image of his body. A little later, there is some guy on the street saying "the truce" caused them to starve. Huh? Somebody had an agenda and was using this boy to advance it, IMO.
Oh well, send the food, anyway. In spite of all that, there is evidence of starvation from Doctors Without Borders. That can be trusted!
Oh well, send the food, anyway. In spite of all that, there is evidence of starvation from Doctors Without Borders. That can be trusted!
9
The time has long since past for the UN and ALL civilized countries of the world to call for a complete embargo of the shipment of all arms to areas of conflict in the Middle East. There are too many companies -- from the U.S. as well as abroad -- who profit from these conflicts. There is no military solution to these sectarian problems. All of the bombing makes these areas unlivable and only creates more refugees and immigrants.
3
But then our corporations would suffer. Much better that little children suffer than our corporations. We are the biggest arms trafficers inthe world.
3
Time for the locals to step up. It should not be up to the US and Europe to solve every problem. There is untold wealth at the disposal of Saudi Arabi, Jordan, Oman, Qutar, Bahrain, and other to assist this poor souls. And let's just remember that if Obama doesn't pull out of Iraq (purely for political reasons, to appease his base ahead of an election) this never happens.
8
Stop listening to FFF Fox Fantasy Facts. Bush set the withdrawal date because Iraq no loner wanted us there. Right wing fantasy won't solve anything.
6
Starvation of civilians under siege is an ancient "traditional" weapon of war, and it is only the availability of photographic images that give this monstrosity a contemporary feel. The besiegers have no interest in loosening the vice. Each side has employed the same weapon, and in Syria where there are so many combatants we have a Hobbesian war of each against the other. In this kind of universal savagery no one will get a safe conduct pass through history. One is tempted to call it a tragedy, but that suggests nobility and catharsis. This is no more than an expression of the full ugliness of which human beings are capable. There will be no winners in a war of this kind; all the suffering will only lay the groundwork for the next.
32
No one at the NYT wants to admit it but when Mr. Obama signaled Assad that he would not bomb him for using gas warfare (something that we managed to outlaw for almost 100 years) then the people of Syria were doomed.
Mr. Obama's cowardice is the primary reason that this war continues. Mr. Obama is the primary reason for failing to arm the rebels. Mr. Obama is the sole reason that Mr. Putin engaged in Syria. Putin knows that Obama is impotent.
This war could have come to and end long ago and the Syrian people could have rebuilt their country with Assad gone forever. Additionally the silence and fecklessness of Ms. Clinton are other causes of this extended misery and death for the Syrian people. When America, the United States fails to lead and when our leadership cowers and makes excuses for not acting then the result is tyranny, slaughter and wars without end. This is an American failure of leadership. And while all this goes on Mr. Obama makes the case for disarming America and reducing the military capability of the United States.
Mr. Obama's cowardice is the primary reason that this war continues. Mr. Obama is the primary reason for failing to arm the rebels. Mr. Obama is the sole reason that Mr. Putin engaged in Syria. Putin knows that Obama is impotent.
This war could have come to and end long ago and the Syrian people could have rebuilt their country with Assad gone forever. Additionally the silence and fecklessness of Ms. Clinton are other causes of this extended misery and death for the Syrian people. When America, the United States fails to lead and when our leadership cowers and makes excuses for not acting then the result is tyranny, slaughter and wars without end. This is an American failure of leadership. And while all this goes on Mr. Obama makes the case for disarming America and reducing the military capability of the United States.
5
I wouldnt be surprised that Assad is the more emboldened to stay in power because he saw what happened in Iraq when Western powers toppled a head of state there. Can't blame him for that.
2
Dear Jay,
I'm afraid your understanding of the chemical weapons negotiations is incorrect. Assad was using CW on his people, President Obama demanded he stop, and Assad then turned over thousands of tons of CW to be destroyed, and apparently stopped using them. Thus President Obama could not attack him, for complying with the demand.
I'm afraid your understanding of the chemical weapons negotiations is incorrect. Assad was using CW on his people, President Obama demanded he stop, and Assad then turned over thousands of tons of CW to be destroyed, and apparently stopped using them. Thus President Obama could not attack him, for complying with the demand.
1
Dan Stankhouse NYC - My understanding is crystal clear. Mr. Assad retained a substantial amount of very deadly chemical weapons and the means to deliver them. He continues to use them and the horrific deaths by gas continue. Further more Mr. Obama undermined the credibility of the United States when he threatened action and then retreated. Mr. Obama bluffed. The United States of America does not bluff. Assad won. The Syrian people lost.
2
"Starving Syrians" would seem to be a simple black and white problem..."Feed Them".
But, all things Middle Eastern are not so simple. The people featured in this article are rebels against Assan, who is using starvation as a tactic to get them to surrender. Because Assan's troops are there, the area is targeted for airstrikes by the US and Russia. All the fighting has forced withdrawal of humanitarian groups.
And, these same hungry Syrians, because the US is bombing them, could, if free, join ISIS and seek revenge, or blame the US for withdrawal of humanitarian aid, and seek revenge.
These same hungry Syrians, or people like them, are quite like those who have pushed their way into Europe and just this New Year's Eve, surrounded, molested and stole from close to 400 women in Cologne, Germany--the country which has been most welcoming to the new immigrants.
It seems the new immigrants, and their kin remaining in Syria or North Africa, are not likely to show gratitude either to a new homeland, or for food.
The men in the NYT photo do not seem to be suffering--they're holding bread and all have sizeable girth. Perhaps they are eating while their women and children are not?
The babies' suffering is tragic--they did not choose this war. The women, and men, do not like Westerners, and could easily turn on the West. Take our food, then kill.
But acting like Assan is repellent. Perhaps when the US is dropping its bombs, they could also drop relief packages.
But, all things Middle Eastern are not so simple. The people featured in this article are rebels against Assan, who is using starvation as a tactic to get them to surrender. Because Assan's troops are there, the area is targeted for airstrikes by the US and Russia. All the fighting has forced withdrawal of humanitarian groups.
And, these same hungry Syrians, because the US is bombing them, could, if free, join ISIS and seek revenge, or blame the US for withdrawal of humanitarian aid, and seek revenge.
These same hungry Syrians, or people like them, are quite like those who have pushed their way into Europe and just this New Year's Eve, surrounded, molested and stole from close to 400 women in Cologne, Germany--the country which has been most welcoming to the new immigrants.
It seems the new immigrants, and their kin remaining in Syria or North Africa, are not likely to show gratitude either to a new homeland, or for food.
The men in the NYT photo do not seem to be suffering--they're holding bread and all have sizeable girth. Perhaps they are eating while their women and children are not?
The babies' suffering is tragic--they did not choose this war. The women, and men, do not like Westerners, and could easily turn on the West. Take our food, then kill.
But acting like Assan is repellent. Perhaps when the US is dropping its bombs, they could also drop relief packages.
4
If you bothered to read you'd know that the people in the photo are not the ones who are starving.
Too many times when I read an article about middle eastern struggles there is a photograph of only men and boys. Why is that? Where are the women? I want to see the women of middle eastern countries side by side with the men in pictures, articles, stories, whatever. Until then, there simply is no hope.
57
There are cultural reasons that women are not as visible. It is safe to trust that if the men and boys are starving so are the women and girls. I am disturbed that you are more concerned with women being in pictures than you are about their starvation.
7
Picture some black-fabric-covered lumps interspersed if that will make you happy. Their women don't get to be side by side with men. Their place is behind.
6
Don't be dim. Caroux's point is that this society will starve and hide its women - they are just possessions, like goats, to the men. If this were a society where we could trust anything, it might make sense to 'help' but it is not and it does not. Whenever we go in to help, with no understanding of the culture, we screw things up. Even understanding this culture, it's got 700 years of catchup to do.
4
What a incentive example from profoundly religious leaders !
3
A senseless war with antagonists competing in depravity. The threats of government forces to "surrender or starve" are matched by the rebels' use of civilians as human shields. The humanitarian tragedy is compounded by cynical regional and international players mindlessly feeding the fires of the conflict. There is no honor in this war.
30
I get it and it's tragic...but the US can't fix everyone's problems. Frankly, when we do, we get attacked. Sorry.
58
But the US doesn't have a problem causing everyone's problems.
2
No you don't "get it". If anything close to this happened to people you knew or loved, I doubt you'd shrug and claim the problem can't be fixed. Oh, well, sorry. It's appalling to see how little people care about people who aren't like them. That this is the most recommended comment, let alone that there are so few comments in general about this horrible suffering by innocent people, is disheartening. Here's a suggestion for something that could be done, donate to Doctors Without Borders.
3
"but the US can't fix everyone's problems."
but very good at creating problems!
but very good at creating problems!
2
What do we think we are doing there? What, exactly, is our mission? Russia and Iran can handle this. And all parties should stop bombing that area and the people be removed, fed and taken to a safe camp until they can return home. The major US export is war. Haven't we done enough?
39
Our mission is just another removal of a head of state through military means, and it has been so since we and our local allies were arming the first rebel.
2
How sad. War is hell is the only comment? If this article dealt with some political candidate, sports, economic, or lottery ticket matter, there would be countless comments. I pray I never have to depend on the aid or humanity of others on this earth.
8
I was thinking the same thing. You said it quite well.
1
So all of those seeking the solution to Europe's flood of migrants of keeping refugees in Syria must see that in the middle of a civil war, that will not work. This is the face of global warming - starvation, disease, flood, fire and war. Do not think it will not come to you and your children.
24
Yes, when it comes to us, I will call it 'karma'. We - the West- have stoked this fire from the beginning and far too long.
2
Well, they could start by having a few less children. We are seeing the beginning of "Idiocracy" (as I've mentioned time and again), where anyone with half a brain has opted not to overpopulate the planet, and the resulting brain drain gives us hordes of "refugees".
2
And many, many Iraqis (mostly children) died similarly under US led sanctions from 1990-2003. The estimates are 400K - 500K excess deaths under the age of 5. We have Bush I, Clinton and Bush II to thank for this.
I've had enough of moralizing about "bad guys". This mess started again with US intervention in Iraq. What is the alternative to a Bashar or Sadaam in a region like this? You are seeing it now and it's much, much worse.
I've had enough of moralizing about "bad guys". This mess started again with US intervention in Iraq. What is the alternative to a Bashar or Sadaam in a region like this? You are seeing it now and it's much, much worse.
97
It all would have been fine had Obama left behind some troops to deter these degenerates from beginning their reign to terror and genocide.
You know, the US can open powder kegs and throw in the match, but these places are powder kegs because of their intense religious hatred, their love of religion more than commerce, their love of vain glory more than their love of their women and children. The core fault lies with them. Since the Arabic invention of the concept of zero, exactly zero good has come from these blazing deserts of humanity, these black holes from which no reason or logic can be obtained.
3
That's true. The best way to help refugees is to not start a war in the first place.
We should remember who the war hawks were on election day.
We should remember who the war hawks were on election day.
2
Maybe the Saudis can organize food drops into the besieged and hard-to-reach areas.
55
The Saudis? So well known for their kindness and charity? Like the honey badger, the Saudis don't care.
8
How can we, knowing about the conditions that exist, allow this to happen in this day and age of overconsumption and excess? And yet we get caught up in the circus of politics and dramas presented to us by the media. Sometimes I am embarassed by humanity.
12
"How can we, knowing about the conditions that exist, allow this to happen in this day and age of over consumption and excess?"
Our charity rarely goes beyond our border. And when it does, it is when it suits our interest, as our help to Germany after WWII, as the danger of Communism was lurking in Europe.
Our charity rarely goes beyond our border. And when it does, it is when it suits our interest, as our help to Germany after WWII, as the danger of Communism was lurking in Europe.
1
Shame on the United Nations .....all the member states are accountable for
lack of response..
So...let's name those who refuse to help....and just shame them all...
lack of response..
So...let's name those who refuse to help....and just shame them all...
8
Why don't we name those who are responsible for getting us into these wars in the first place?
Among those running for election, there's Hillary Clinton.
Among those running for election, there's Hillary Clinton.
And what is your solution? Airdrop food - risking airplanes and pilots to be shot down by rebels or government forces?
Yep cbr...shame them; that'll change the arc of human history.
1
The most desperate people rarely get the help....very difficult situation with no end in sight.
4
OMG; such a horrible situation but these people need to be helped. Are we humans if we let this happen to other human beings? To let these people go through the misery of starvation is unthinkable. All countries should be scrambling to help them.
13
Yes and they can help by stopping the flow of weapons to the rebels. If we can airdrop 50 tons of weapons, we should be able to drop 50 tons of food.
This is a terrible situation. I think there are too many people living in a semi-desert land. Too bad people must suffer to reduce what the land can support.
5
As recent as last month, In Paris just across the Mediterranean, rather than discussing the man-made human starvations in Syria, thousands of international politicians and scientists, including Obama, were discussing the importance of reducing environmental pollution to guarantee a quality of life 50 or 100 years from now. This world has gone mad.
4
Shameful, horrific, this is modern day cruelty. Why why why does the west continue to do the bidding of Assad at the expense of the human beings starving there? Let's feed these people and do away with negotiating with Assad with kid gloves.
6
What does victory actually look like for any war in the Middle East? I imagine victory looks very similar to a lost battle.
31
My first reaction reading this as I sip coffee in a warm office is that this is awful, inhumane and that something should be done. Then I thought how is this any different than having bombs raining on you or getting shot?
At the end of the day this is an intractable problem that doesn't give way to easy solutions or quick fixes. I just hope these adversaries can come to their senses before it's too late.
At the end of the day this is an intractable problem that doesn't give way to easy solutions or quick fixes. I just hope these adversaries can come to their senses before it's too late.
4
Starving Syrians are the consequence of the curse of the proxy cold war. Politicking did not take place in Syria before the Arab Spring and Children did not starve and there was no epic migration. All those who were involved in bringing on this pathetic disaster and curse to Syria must be brought to justice for crimes against humanity. Instead of helping to create safe regions within Syria where women and children and innocent non combatants could take refuge, several countries have been involved in indiscriminate bombing. The UN has been impotent and AWOL. This hunger and misery of innocents in Syria and all around the world has to end immediately or history will never forgive all those that are responsible for this.
14
Civilian collateral damage takes many forms in wars. I am not an Assad supporter, but he did not start this war. Many who are suffering are the proximate cause of their own suffering. Peaceful political change is the way to go. It may take time, but it can occur. I am not sure to what extent the U.S. was involved to encouraging the rebels, but perhaps we should consider the human costs of our actions too.
28
The US bears tremendous responsibility for this situation. We stoked the resistance to Assad that eventually ripped this nation to shreds. We did it in Libya too.
It has nothing to do with "good guys", "bad guys" or democracy - we kill in similar ways when it suits us. The Iraq sanctions imposed by the US from 1990-2003 led the the deaths of more than 1/2 million children.
It has nothing to do with "good guys", "bad guys" or democracy - we kill in similar ways when it suits us. The Iraq sanctions imposed by the US from 1990-2003 led the the deaths of more than 1/2 million children.
80
Assad didn't start this? Sure he did. His regime tortured an 8 year old boy - Hamza to keep people from protesting peacefully. It ratcheted up from there - and left a vacuum for all evil to fill. Yes - we fed this by Bush's personal vendetta to eliminate Saddam.
4
Typical propaganda from Anti Assad supporter. may be US and the west should not align themselves with those who rip the heart out of a dead body and eat it in front of Video Cameras.
1
There is IS, or ISIS, or ISIL, or Daesh, apparently supported by lots of U.S. allies. There is the Syrian government supported by Russia and Iran. Then there is "the rebels", starving and still with no name. Why won't some named feed them?
4
This is so sad. I think it is time to push the politicians aside - let the American people take a stand and say enough is enough - what can we do to help? There by the Grace of God go I. It is so easy to read the article - feel sympathy for the victims - then go fix myself breakfast. That isn't the way things should work. People are dying - there must be something we can do. Politicians seem to care about one thing - getting elected or staying in office - the people's plight will only get worse if a Republican gets elected - more bloodshed - more starvation. Not that Obama is off the hook - I don't see him giving a speech - pleading with American's to part with some of their money - to help those in need. What a mess.
5
This is a human example of why propping up the regime or looking the other way at Assad's brutality will only prolong the conflict and suffering in Syria.
Even a dictator needs to have enough support to keep a police state in order to suppress its people and Assad has almost no credibility or legitimacy among Syrians as he starves them, bombs them and intimidates them. Assad and his Ba'ath Party dictatorship will never have the legitimacy among Syrians to rule Syria again or be able to unite Syrians against outside threats, such as Islamic State.
In this conflict, to ignore the human side of the brutality of dictatorship is ignoring what divides Syria and what has allowed outside terror groups to take advantage of that divide.
Even a dictator needs to have enough support to keep a police state in order to suppress its people and Assad has almost no credibility or legitimacy among Syrians as he starves them, bombs them and intimidates them. Assad and his Ba'ath Party dictatorship will never have the legitimacy among Syrians to rule Syria again or be able to unite Syrians against outside threats, such as Islamic State.
In this conflict, to ignore the human side of the brutality of dictatorship is ignoring what divides Syria and what has allowed outside terror groups to take advantage of that divide.
9
Obama ignored them as they begged and then the strong left and flooded into Europe with Terrorists mixed in leaving the women, children, fathers, and old behind. The rich, strong and terrorists made it to Europe. German's say that like the US News the media ignored the hugely young male influx of immigrants and only showed the small percent of families with children. Look at Germany.And look at these poor people. Thanks Obama and Germany for encouraging this.
2
@Teacher/Mom/Citizen
The US and Germany did not tell Assad to rule so brutally that Syrians rose up in a revolution in 2011 and the US and Germany did not block the 2 UN Mission to Syria recommendations to save Syria in 2012 either.
These are the very predictable results of doing nothing when we all were made aware by the UN of what would happen with inaction.
The US and Germany did not tell Assad to rule so brutally that Syrians rose up in a revolution in 2011 and the US and Germany did not block the 2 UN Mission to Syria recommendations to save Syria in 2012 either.
These are the very predictable results of doing nothing when we all were made aware by the UN of what would happen with inaction.
Jeff Pardun - "This is a human example of why propping up the regime or looking the other way at Assad's brutality will only prolong the conflict and suffering in Syria."
Very similar to what was said and written in US media about the regime of Saddam Hussein, right before the US removed him. Look how well that worked out for the Iraqi people.
Very similar to what was said and written in US media about the regime of Saddam Hussein, right before the US removed him. Look how well that worked out for the Iraqi people.
Such articles should be required reading for everyone - especially young men and generals. War is horrific and siege warfare makes war look like a picnic.
The next time our politicians begin to consider overthrowing another government somewhere in the world, they need to consider just how much worse life can become for the people of that country. Lord knows, for eyes that choose to see it, there are seemingly too many examples to count in recent times.
The next time our politicians begin to consider overthrowing another government somewhere in the world, they need to consider just how much worse life can become for the people of that country. Lord knows, for eyes that choose to see it, there are seemingly too many examples to count in recent times.
55
War is the engine of the US economy. It's our export. The government is owned and operated by those who make money from war..it's what we DO! So until our political campaigns are not funded by those who profit from war, we will kill many more (starvation is an old war tool.) Go Bernie!
27
In response to SlprO "The next time our politicians begin to consider overthrowing another government somewhere in the world, they need to consider just how much worse life can become"....When you vote next November, remember HRC's vote to invade Iraq.
6
And yet a large majority of Americans supported the Iraq War, including Liberals, although many hope no one remembers they did...(we do).
1
The U.S., Russia & France have a lot of bombers in the area, could we drop them some food?
44
It happened during WWII, people were starved to death in concentration camps, and we said never again. It happened during the Bosnian war 1992-95, and we said never again. It is happening now...
Never Again it's just a cliché
Never Again it's just a cliché
67
With all the advances in technology, drone use etc., how come food drops are not possible?
3
This whole Syria crisis - what caused it and how it is handled, including refugees - is among the most shameful episodes of post WWII era - and politicians have always said that "never again."
Pictures of starving children are not exactly helpful when the west tries to defeat jihadism and terrorism. Why don't the western powers use drones etc. to deliver food, water and medicine?
Pictures of starving children are not exactly helpful when the west tries to defeat jihadism and terrorism. Why don't the western powers use drones etc. to deliver food, water and medicine?
35
That's right, Obama, you introduced drone warfare in the Middle East, not show us drone fooddrops and medical supplies and blankets and shoes.
2
War is hell...
5
most of the middle east, asia and africa are over populated, with scarce resources.... can we help each and every one ?? i don't think so ... we have too many of our own problems, lets not get into nation building!
2
I am not sure the UN or the West can solve that mess at this point -- this will backfire. The only thing that can improve things is a change in leadership. And only the people can make it happen.