U.S. Military Intervention in Syria is Not the Answer

Below is from FCNL, and they published this in April.  It is still true:

"We believe the means that are used to seek change in society either create or obstruct the desirable ends." -FCNL Statement 03/18/2011

The Friends Committee on National Legislation is gravely concerned by the Syrian regime's violence against civilians and crimes against humanity, in addition to the potential for a protracted civil war. We strongly oppose proposals that would further militarize the conflict, including direct armed intervention and Senator John McCain's (AZ) resolution, which calls for the U.S. to provide arms to opposition forces.

We are convinced that U.S. military intervention in Syria will only exacerbate the conflict and lead to even larger-scale bloodshed. Given Syria's strategic location in the Middle East, foreign military intervention could spark broader regional violence and proxy wars, as warned by the International Crisis Group and other Middle East experts. Beneath the horrific violence in Syria lie long-standing roots of conflict, including authoritarian government, sectarian divisions, inequitable power and wealth distribution, increasing pressures on natural resources, and a brutal legacy of colonial rule and foreign intervention.

War is the ultimate human rights violation, and U.S. military intervention would only increase the violence. It would undermine the possibility of finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis, halting the violence, providing accountability for the crimes against humanity, and encouraging Syrian self-determination.

The Syrian uprising was initiated through powerful demonstrations of nonviolence. The grassroots opposition network the Syrian Local Coordination Committees (LCC) has warned against military intervention, noting that "the method by which the regime is overthrown is an indication of what Syria will be like post-regime […] If an armed confrontation or international military intervention becomes a reality, it will be virtually impossible to establish a legitimate foundation for a proud future Syria."
Specifically, the U.S. can promote the protection of civilians and a resolution of the crisis by vigorously and persistently supporting:

• An immediate cessation of the violence and inclusive, comprehensive negotiations among Syrian political factions and Syria's neighboring countries;
• U.N. and Arab League diplomatic, non-military efforts, including the current initiative led by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan and backed by the U.N. Security Council;
• A range of diplomatic tools to press Russia, China, and Iran to use their influence with the Assad regime to halt the killing and commit to a political process to resolve the crisis;
• A comprehensive arms embargo through the U.N. Security Council, including sanctions against companies involved in providing weapons to the Syrian regime;
• Bilateral and multilateral talks with Iran, which would reduce the threat of further deadly conflict in the region;
• Investigations of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court;
• Generous humanitarian and development assistance to local and international aid and development agencies and support of post-conflict peacebuilding and reconciliation.
• Robust support and greater civilian capacities to help prevent mass atrocities before the killing begins, as envisioned by S. Con. Res. 71, PSD-10, and the creation of a new Atrocities Prevention Board in the National Security Council.

Intense international engagement will be critical in order for such a diplomatic and humanitarian approach to be successful. FCNL believes that these recommendations offer the best chance to stop the violence, limit the loss of life, and restore Syria's path toward peace, stability, and reconciliation.