For as long as we can remember there has been chaos in Syria. War and refugees fleeing are the two most common things we hear about Syria, but in addition to those things we now have a somewhat mysterious gas attack in Aleppo. The people of Aleppo and Syria in general are unsure of who actually made the attack, which leaves room for pointing fingers. Both Russian and Iranian people are being accused.
Lama Fakih, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Human Rights Watch thinks there should be an investigation of both the Syrian and Russian government. Numerous people were injured or killed in this attack, and many people are upset that a lot of them were children.
Personally, I think this is just as devastating as anything we have seen in past occurrences alike, not that this specific one is any less significant, but I am not necessarily shocked. I do believe there needs to be something done. I do not think that arming civilians and putting more money towards their military is necessarily the best option (fighting fire with fire does not work), although I know the United States has troops in those areas; but I do think that the United States troops could help in a different way. I know their primary job is to physically act, but money could also be put towards them or other people educating Syria’s citizens. While others are educating and helping Syrian people learn, the military could protect not only the citizens, but the educators.
I also think the United States and other superpowers need to step in and start by peacefully trying to demilitarize the Middle East in general. I understand that this is more easily said than done, but I do think we need to try harder. I think the start to demilitarization is education. I think people are less angry when they are educated and understand what is going on around them and understand how to obtain peace.