Strategic Memo in Syria Case - National Security Affairs Class Assignment
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The document discusses the potential U.S. interventions in Syria's civil war in response to a chemical weapons strike, highlighting the importance of preventing further chemical weapon use and protecting allied interests. It presents three strategic options: pursuing diplomatic solutions, military intervention, or seeking a peace treaty, ultimately recommending military intervention as the most effective course of action. The document emphasizes the urgency of immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with delayed intervention and the potential consequences of chemical weapons distribution.
Strategic Memo in Syria Case - National Security Affairs Class Assignment
- 1. To : Susan Rice, National Security Advisor From : Re : Syria Case Issue. Possible U.S. intervention on Syrias civil war, in particular after the recent chemical weapon strike from Syrians President loyal forces, killing hundreds of civilians, including women and children. Interest. Vital Prevent further use of chemical weapons Prevent chemical weapons distributed to terrorist groups or other state or non-state actors within Syria Extremely Important Protect United States and its allies and partners against the threat posed by such weapons Combat the active extremist groups Important Bring down the Assad regime Build the base of a tolerant, peaceful, plural and stable democratic system without destabilization Operational Objectives. Secure the chemical weapons stockpiles and border Prevent U.S. and its allies and partners from potential retaliation Establish stable democratic system with protection for the Alawite, Kurdish, and Christian minorities Discussion. Further delaying U.S. military deployment and trust Syria agreement on placing its chemical weapon under international control alone is deliberating due to several possibilities that could arise during the wait such as chemical weapon distribution to terrorist organizations and state or non-state actor. Meanwhile U.S. punitive military action is still on debate, concerning the regional impact to the civilians, and alternatives to military action are under intense consideration. Strategic Options. Option 1 Obamas Plan. Pursue the possibility of diplomatic opening, initiated by Russia, to push Syria disclosing the chemical weapon, stop the production, and reveal the positions placing them under International control.
- 2. Pros: Prevent more victims from U.S. military forces, Syrian forces, and civilians Prevent retaliation attack to U.S. and its allies and partners especially Israel from Syrian, Iran, Hezbollah, and Gaza-based militants Cons: Possibility of: Prolonging the conflict Chemical weapons might be transferred to terrorist groups during the wait Syrias neighbors, including several U.S. partners are overwhelmed by refugees and threatened with violence Option 2 U.S. Military Intervention. U.S. is to deploy a limited military response to secure the chemical weapons, bring down Assad regime, and control the civil war. Pros: Most effective and efficient way to secure the chemical weapons and cut down its distribution Prevent further conflict in the region and its surrounding (including U.S. partners) Cons: Possibility of: Disintegrate remaining state authority that could result in more escalated conflict, terrorist groups, or mass atrocities Vacuum of power that could benefit extremists Option 3 Peace Treaty. Trust the UN for chemical weapons control, isolate Assads and its associates preventing them being victim of atrocities should their regime fall, cease-fire agreement, and disarming Syrian military. Encourage the Syrian National Council to commit on treating all Syrian in equality despite their diverse religious beliefs and protect the minorities. Pros: Involving Syrian civilians to participate in their country transition Help promote plural and democratic system Cons: Possibility of: Rejection and retaliation from the conflicting groups Chemical weapon used and or already distributed to terrorist groups
- 3. Recommendation. Pursue Option 2 U.S. Military Intervention. Further delay of action would make the Syrian conflict worse and risk of chemical weapons distribution is higher. Implementation: Immediately authorize the military deployment to Syria Discuss the scenario with allies warn them of possible retaliation Analyze the precise area to attack moreover on the chemical weapon factory to prevent contamination Secure the border of contested areas and surrounding, maintain control over the street while avoiding unnecessary death on civilians Take down Assads regime and lay off the base for transition