When the world's at stake,
go beyond the headlines.

National security. For insiders. By insiders.

National security. For insiders. By insiders.

Join War on the Rocks and gain access to content trusted by policymakers, military leaders, and strategic thinkers worldwide.

Things to remember before going to war in Syria

August 26, 2013
Things to remember before going to war in Syria
Things to remember before going to war in Syria

Things to remember before going to war in Syria

Ryan Evans
August 26, 2013

“No one starts a war -or rather, no one in his senses ought to do so – without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by that war and how he intends to conduct it.”

-Carl von Clausewitz, On War

President Obama has cried “Havoc!” over the use of chemical weapons in Syria. With warships dispatched to the Eastern Mediterranean, has he also let slip the dogs of war?

I have pushed Colonel John Collins’ “Military Intervention: A Checklist of Key Considerations” before and now I do so again.  Before we involve ourselves in yet another Middle Eastern conflict, I hope the President and his national security team are prepared to answer these questions and more.

Read the checklist

 

 

Photo Credit: USAF

Warcast
Get the Briefing from Those Who've Been There
Subscribe for sharp analysis and grounded insights from warriors, diplomats, and scholars.