DAMASCUS, Syria – In light of the recent chemical attack in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21st, The Group of Twenty has met with President Obama to plan a course of action. The Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, known simply as the G20, was formally created in 1999, and subsequently played a large role in the 2008 Washington summit. As such, in September 2009, it was announced that the group would replace the G8 as the main council of wealthy nations.
Today, the group’s influence extends beyond fiscal concerns. Whilst some condemn its influence on non-economic issues, the gross results of actions in Syria concern all. The chemical weapons attack, which killed more than 1400 people, including 426 children, created a gruesome scene.
Dr. Saleyha Ahsam, of the Hand in Hand for Syria organization, described the scene as the worst war zone she had ever been to. The victims, who were brought to a small hospital in Aleppo Province, were “brutally disfigured, with huge blisters forming over their bodies.” Most were burned on more than 50% of their body; indicating their chance of survival was less than half.
Such cruelty demands accountability. When 100,000 people have been killed and 2 million have been made refugees, it is clear that a plan of action is necessary. However, President Obama and the G20 have come to a stalemate.
The White House, in a statement released in September, states, “the use of chemical weapons anywhere diminishes the security of people everywhere. Left unchallenged, it increases the risk of further use and proliferation of these weapons.”
The G20 candidly acknowledges the need for action, however they strongly oppose using military action in Syria. Polls show that Americans, too, overwhelmingly oppose military intervention.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif), chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that public sentiment could be different if Americans were exposed to evidence from the attack. “They don’t know what I know. They haven’t heard what I’ve heard,” she said.
Obama blames the attack on forces loyal to the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad. Moscow is pushing for more evidence, stating that rebels undertook the attack. Until such evidence is put forward, Obama will have a hard time finding international allies. Support has come only from Turkey, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and France. While the grim mood of the G20 resonates in Congress’ ears, Obama may act on his own, a move surely to impact the future of the US and his presidency.
“There are times where we have to make hard choices if we’re going to stand up for the things that we care about,” he said. “And I believe that this is one of those times.” In the meantime, the US already has five Navy destroyers armed with Tomahawk missiles on standby in the Mediterranean.
Hand in Hand for Syria was founded in March of 2011 in order to deliver food, clothes, shelter, ambulances, educational resources, and medical treatment to thousands of people across Syria. Their main goal is to rebuild the country’s medical infrastructure. After surges in violence across Syria, Hand in Hand is looking for ways to deliver direct emergency relief while the world looks for the a solution.
– Chloe Nevitt
Feature Writer
Sources: BBC, Hand in Hand for Syria, BBC, CTV, Reuters, The White House