Limited Lego Strike

            The issue is the unnecessary and potential US intervention with the Syrian civil war.  Statistics and research show that military interventions do not end civil wars quickly (Regan).  The Lego protestor sign “No bricks on the ground?!” is in relation to President Barrack Obama’s address that with congressional approval he would utilize precise strikes and that he will not put American “boots on the ground”.  The protestor is an intelligent eagle scout and is well aware that simple precise strikes by use of drones and ballistic missiles will not only be “pin-pricks” (Obama) to the Syrian civil war but also lead to wasted defense spending when real matters are to be taken care of back at the U.S.   

            This message hides the logistical jargon and that civilians do not realize the cost and logistics of these precise strikes.  Simply put, the fact that President Obama addresses that he will not place American boots on the ground and with to not create another Iraq/Afghanistan conflict is a red herring that detracts from the actual issue of involvement in a civil war.

            Statistics and research were based on an analysis of 152 civil wars between 1820-1992.  Intervention was likely to cause an increase in state repression, as well an Increase in civilian deaths as the regime struggles to maintain power and may also lose control of local policing and basic infrastructure.  Despite many conflicts being different there is an argument that the Syrian case could be exceptional.  Mass killings had started with utilization of weapons of mass destruction.  Any arguement is left in the air to what people think their “red line” is when interventions should be utilized.

References

Regan, Patrick. Sage Journals, "The Journal of Conflict management." Last modified 09 1, 2013. Accessed November 15, 2013. http://jcr.sagepub.com/content/46/1/55.abstract.

Obama, Barrack. The white house, Last modified 09 10, 2013. Accessed November 15, 2013. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/09/10/remarks-president-address-nation-syria.