BY ALEXA BILLADEAU
Some attendees encouraged military intervention for the sake of Syrian citizens while others disagreed during a roundtable discussion on West Bank Wednesday.
A panel of three University of Minnesota political science professors and local Syrians discussed the challenge of protecting civilians in Syria as international leaders decide whether militaries should intervene.
Political activist Mazen Halabi and physician Wael Khouli – both originally from Syria – advocated for U.S. militaries to engage to help rebels who are fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
“To stop the carnage, the opposition has to have some kind of an assistant,” Halabi said.
University professors, however, said certain military strikes are not the best solution.
“If U.S. credibility is at stake now, imagine how much it will be if, in response, Bashar al-Assad launches another missile?” said University professor Ron Krebs, who specializes in international conflicts.
University communication studies junior Salma Taleb, who lived in Syria and experienced the violence firsthand, said she also doesn’t support military action.
“The possibilities of change are very limited,” she said. “The powers [Syrians] have are very limited.”
For more on the University community’s view on Syria, pick up Monday’s Minnesota Daily.