Battlefield Syria: “Where's Captain America?”

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Recommended: The role of the media in a democracy

Foreign affairs and America go hand in hand it almost seems. For various reasons, America involves itself with countries in need-- as a helping hand mostly. At times, countries have internal issues because their people want what we have; democracy. Democracy is defined as “a form of government in which people choose leaders by voting” as said by the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The key word there was “PEOPLE”; the PEOPLE had a choice. Unfortunately, some countries don't have that right and it angers them. However, it doesn't have to be the injustice of voting restrictions; it can be any restriction. Naturally, when restricted, the people feel the need to revolt against their oppressors. Syria has reached that stage. The Syrian Revolt has been ongoing since 2011. What started this revolt you ask? Well, it all started with their leader, Bashar Al Assad and his regime repressing the people of Syria with censorship of internet, travel bans, and arrest of political prisoners (Flock, washingtonpost.com). The Syrians thirst for Democracy and America, being as helpful as it is, had some part in it. With American involvement, comes the opinion of the people and the current President's position on the issue-- in this case Barack Obama. According to “MissMaple”'s article on smirkingchimp.com, 200 young protestors started a pro-democracy movement with a facebook group called “The Syrian Revolution 2011” (MissMaple. smirkingchimp.com). The group made over 41,000 hits which obviously caused a reaction in President Bashar Al Assad's regime. The members of the group's goal was for the world to pay attention to the injustices occurring in Syria (MissMaple). The revolution started as non-violent; a level zero on the conflict scale. So you may ask, ... ... middle of paper ... ...ia. "the-beginning-of-the-syrian-revolution-a-revolt-brews-against-bashar-al-assad-s- regime ."smirkingchimp.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. http://www.smirkingchimp.com/news/51714/the-beginning-of-the-syrian-revolution-a-revolt- brews-against-bashar-al-assad-s-regime . Thompson, Nick. "Homs: Bloody Winter in Syria's Revolution Capital." CNN. CableNews Network, 07 Feb. 2012. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. "U.S. Involvement in Syrian War Becoming More Apparent." U.S. Involvement in Syrian War Becoming More Apparent. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. http://thenewamerican.com/usnews/foreign- policy/item/14904-u-s-involvement-in-syrian-war-becoming-more-apparent. "What’s in store for Syria’s revolution if the U.S gets involved?." The Firebrand Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. http://thefbm.com/2011/05/20/whats-in-store-for-syrias-revolution-if- the-u-s-gets-involved/.

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