Problems in the Middle East?...quick, call America

America differs from the other countries of this world. I am a believer in American Exceptionalism. The countless things that make this Country great are endless and is not the subject of this post. I want to focus in on one of the things America has become quite fond of doing…policing the world.

America’s fondness of liberty goes back hundreds of years, specifically 1776, when we threw off the chains of an imperialist nation and declared our independence. Since then there has been a special place in the hearts of Americans for those peoples who are oppressed. We have long sympathized with the revolutionary, taking on the role of protectors of the weak.

America has contributed to multinational military forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq in the last ten years. Along with our recent contribution of military support in Libya.

I want to look at one word more closely…”multinational”

These military forces under the direction of NATO are composed of troops from member nations. However, not all contributions are equal. The bulk of these “multinational” forces are American troops, and subsequently, bankrolled primarily with our tax dollars.

 Not only does the presence of our troops in the Middle East financially hurt our Country, they damage our country’s image in the Muslim world.

This brings me to my main talking point.

Two major things are taking place in the Middle East as we speak. The revolution taking place against the tyrannical rule of the Assad regime in Syria, and the growing threat of a nuclear Iran.

Civilians are being killed in the streets of Syria by a government that accuses the West of stirring up trouble. The Assad regime has been condemned not only by the West, but it has been condemned by and removed from the Arab League.

Instinctively, America sympathizes with the rebels. Not only do we recall our own war of independence. But the rebels on the ground have called for the United States to come to their aid.

Similarly with the growing issue of a nuclear Iran. Regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Israel are fearful of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons. There have been talks of an American strike against Iranian facilities.

My Question is….why us?

Yes I think America is the greatest country on earth. But people need to remember one important thing…We Are Broke

We cannot afford to initiate new conflicts in Syria or Iran. There are politicians in both political parties that are quick to call for American aid to the Syrian rebels, or for action against Iran. But who is going to pay for it?

We owe people money, how can we continue to spend money that we simply do not have?

I would like to see a Middle Eastern solution to a Middle East problem. Why would we spend our money and put our troops in harm’s way, when our other exploits in the Arab world have turned an entire region against us.

What the United States needs to be doing is urging regional powers to alleviate problems in their corner of the world. Stable, moderate countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel, need to be encouraged to handle situations first. Let the Arab League send in a peace keeping force. Western countries engaged in armed conflict in Muslim countries creates to many problems.

America cannot be the worlds “911”