War Is War!

It seems obvious but clarity is necessary when people discuss and advocate for military action against ISIS and in Syria. War is war. You can't tip toe into war or stick your toe in the water of war. Combat and 'boots on the ground' is happening. People throughout the world and in the US in particular are reacting to acts of barbarism/terror relative to the beheading of two US journalists. Watch and listen to the families of these men to begin to understand reconcilliation. We also know that many others have been killed and/or tortured due to their religious beliefs in Iraq and Syria. Its pretty easy to be passionate about war when people see and expierience these atrocities. Revenge sometimes seems to be the answer and something we should base our decisions on relative to a response.

Taking a deep breath and thinking before you shoot is what we should all expect from leaders who eventually make decisions about war. Someone needs to figure out if the alternatives people want (war without casualties) is possible. It's not by the way. Anger and revenge are normal feelings and reactions to violence. But history is our teacher. We have had regional wars, religious wars, wars to end wars, wars to end all wars, strategic wars, dumb wars and all kinds of police actions in between. All have had their proponents and their opposition. All had specific goals. Many of these goals were never attained. Most wars in history have had unintended consequences. Some helped get us where we are today in the Mideast.

In terms of the Mideast, weaponry and dollars have been used and sent to opposition parties for many years. Weaponry and dollars have been left behind or captured after almost every war in history and there is no exception in the Mideast. Isn't it interesting how the opposition later becomes the dictator or oppressor at some point in the future and they end up being well armed. Rebels, terrorists and loyal opposition have a cache of US and European weaponry, vehicles and munitions. How many times will all of this be recycled? Perhaps some real controls on these resources could assist in a peace process. Instead, we assist people in killing each other. Coalitions are also important, no critical, when negotiating or working for peace. Nations like Saudi Arabia have and continue to fund entities like ISIS. There are pressures needed to stop that flow of cash for war throughout the Arab world.

We need caution before we find ways to create more enemies and we need to remember that you can't pretend there is a 'safe' war. War is war.