Peace Action West Executive Director Jon Rainwater has made this statement on today’s announcement:
The announcement today that the President is sending U.S. ground troops to Syria was as predictable as it is disappointing. We should know by now that the first law of military conflicts is escalation. That’s why sending these troops into battle should trouble all Americans. With the “no boots on the ground” promise broken there’s no telling how many U.S. troops will ultimately be sent to Iraq and Syria.
Over a year into the U.S.-led bombing campaign what have we accomplished? The United States has spent over $4.75 billion on over 6059 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria.[1] Watching the tragic refugee crisis spreading, we know that more bombing isn’t making the Syrian people any safer. And as the United States drops thousands of bombs, angering thousands of people in two Middle Eastern nations, it’s not making the American people any safer either.
On the contrary, a U.S. led attack in Syria, with its inevitable civilian casualties, strengthens recruitment for ISIS. Adding U.S. ground troops is just throwing gasoline on the fire. Instead, we need sustained diplomacy to end the Syrian civil war and we need to significantly increase humanitarian aid for the victims of the conflict.
[1]: For cost numbers and other metrics on the military campaign see U.S. Central Command’s website on “Operation Inherent Resolve”: http://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0814_Inherent-Resolve
