I'm in favor in ensuring better regional stability and security for the Levant.

lol that's a cute way to put it. Personally, I believe we should not get entangled in foreign affairs. bc Not only is it unconstitutional, but we're totes broke. We should fix our own country before we even begin to consider other ones.

Actually, we don't have to be involved militarily (large-scale, anyway) to ensure that a larger conflict doesn't engross the entire region and even beyond. Even then, we wouldn't be acting unilaterally so I fail to see how money even factors into something as serious as this. I made a post the other day to a similar comment, so I think I'm just going to copy and paste it to here. [quote]The majority of that region (and a large portion of the world, for that matter) depends on the United States to provide and assure security; Its why we have military installations throughout the Middle East. By providing security in the region, and making sure the regional balances are in check, as well as countering any contingency like terrorism, we help maintain regional security. By maintaining this, we also help improve securities of neighboring countries, regions, and even global security. Our inaction in Syria has caused for a serious refugee problem that is flooding countries like Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq. To make matters worse, these countries are not able to sufficiently care for all these refugees and is becoming a separate problem all together. The violence between Pro-Assad and Anti-Assad supporters is spilling over into both Lebanon and Iraq. Iraq is facing a huge spike in violence, mainly because of al-Qaeda in Iraq becoming much, much stronger. Lebanon is facing a huge security crisis between the two opposing sides in both Tripoli and Beirut. The situation there is also becoming worse seemingly by the day. In a related problem, the sectarian divide is becoming much wider. With both Iran and Saudi Arabia fanning the flames of their respective sects of Islam, the tensions and conflicts between Sunnis and Shi'ites are growing in all the aforementioned countries, as well as several Gulf countries. This is very serious problem that only gets worse as the conflict continues. The threat of terrorism emanating from Syria is astronomical. There are two official al-Qaeda affiliates fighting inside Syria, several allied organizations that have deep connections to al-Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban are active in Syria, as well as several other jihadist organizations that might be involved in the "global jihad". It goes without saying that not all Syrian rebels are affiliated in any way to terrorism, but the threat is still huge. On the government side, you have several Iranian-funded/trained groups fighting within Syria. This includes Hezbollah, the remnants of the Mahdi Army, and several other Shia groups from Iraq. This too has severe security implications further complicating the entire situation.[/quote]If you need sources for my claims, just ask. I have another wall of text for that. But see, the conflict in Syria doesn't just affect Syria, it affects the entire Levant and it even has the possibility of affecting a wider portion of the Middle East and quite possibly even the West. If left unchecked, groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (al-Qaeda in Iraq), could quite possibly begin to target several European countries and even the United States (don't think it's possible? Do some research on AQAP). Even worse, the rising levels of foreign jihadists is becoming a major point of focus for several intelligence agencies. The fear is that with these foreigners (mostly Europeans, but some Americans: [url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/foreign-jihadists-in-syria-tracking-recruitment-networks]outlined here[/url]) going to Syria and becoming battle-experienced and quite possibly radicalized by fighting with groups like Jabhat al-Nusra or ISIS, they could very well come back and begin plotting attacks in their home countries. It's a real threat and it's being taken very seriously. The longer the conflict drags on in Syria, the more dangerous the security implications become.

Honestly, money is a big factor if you analyze the economics... And more than likely, our involvement will not do much, it'll probably make things worst... 10 years of the US mingling in the mid east has only made the situation more fked up than it already was. Are you a neo-conservative? bc your foreign policy is on par with Bush.

US Foreign Aid only accounts for about [url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/brianwingfield/2011/01/29/making-sense-of-u-s-foreign-aid-to-egypt-and-elsewhere/]1.7-2.0% of our budget[/url]. Hardly a stretch when it wouldn't even need .5% of the 2% we spend annually on foreign aid. If that. [quote]it'll probably make things worst.[/quote]Our inaction (our being both the US and the international community) has made things worse in the conflict in Syria. [quote]Are you a neo-conservative?[/quote]Neo-conservatives generally like to do things unilaterally. I view unilateral action as a last resort. I think the best course of action is encouraging local or regional governments/actors, with our direct economical and military assistance, to help ensure the security of their respective locales and regions, or otherwise help in our overall goals. Neo-conservatives usually like to invade places.

[quote]Not only is it unconstitutional, but we're totes broke. We should fix our own country before we even begin to consider other ones.[/quote] Economics isn't just about cost... Believe it or not, our economy is the biggest threat to the Us and Europe more so than extremist cave men with AKs..

I would say that the shape of our economy is an issue, yes. But I wouldn't downplay the severity of the situation at hand in Syria.

I'm not trying to downplay it. I'm just saying the economics and the problems we face here at home should be prioritized first before we consider other nations. Believe me, if we had our shit together, by all means let's rescue the world. But unfortunately that isn't the reality of our infrastructure right now.