With the recent uprisings and revolts around the world, many people have turned their heads toward the United States for guidance. Countless countries, their governments and their citizens expect the United States to play the role of international moderator in a world crisis.

In recent months, tensions have grown between the Syrian Assad Regime and the Syrian people.  In its current time of need, the Syrian uprising is looking to receive foreign help, specifically pointing its requests at the United States.

In the past, the United States has never been reluctant to go and help a country in need, yet our actions have often caused many problems.  Having a lineage from the Middle East and from several visits, I have witnessed firsthand the results of United States involvement in the area.  I have seen the undemocratic ways of the current Islamic Republic of Iran’s government that is an undeviating result of the United States’ involvement in the revolution during the late 1970’s.  Another example is in Iraq and Afghanistan.  One of the reasons that the United States interfered in the two countries was to help civilians being targeted by terrorist insurgents, such as the Taliban and Al Qaeda.  However, while in the area, the United States was intrigued by the vast oil reserves and made it a goal to acquire that oil, while at the same time exterminating insurgents.  Nearing the end of the “war”, the United States had not only failed to efficiently remove terrorist groups from the area, but it had also stirred up much trouble in trying to gain access to vast oil reserves.  This is just one of the many instances in which United States’ intervention in areas around the world has led to greater issues.

With those past experiences in mind, the Obama Administration has been relatively reluctant to help the Syrian revolt against the country’s government.  It is concerned that any aid, including guns, food and supplies, could end up in the hands of terrorist organizations. Despite all of the past failures the United States has faced in such areas of the world, the public is still pushing for them to enter the picture and, in turn, help Syrian rebels overthrow the government.  What these people may not realize is that what may initially seem as innocent help could soon turn sour.

Concerning Syria, the United States is making the right decision in being reluctant.  Even though the uprising at hand is clearly one that needs to be won, it is not up to the United States to “help.”  In fact, even though many lives are being lost, it may be beneficial to see how the events play out on their own without foreign interference.  The National Public Radio (NPR) spoke anonymously with one of the opponents of the Syrian Assad Regime, and she said, “Even though I am opposed to the current Syrian government, it would not be useful for any country to interfere or to act as a catalyst in the uprising.  The uprising is led mostly by people wanting to make the government a Islamic regime, which might be even more detrimental than the current regime.”  Such worries that the Syrian government could turn non-secular are clearly validated (for example) by the corrupt Islamic Republic of Iran, which is something that many Syrian citizens want to avoid at all costs.

Even though many may not be able to foresee the detrimental long-term effects of United States’ involvement in Syria, the Obama Administration has made the best choice in not getting too involved in the feud.  This may not seem like a necessarily  purposeful decision, but it may be a decision that prevents another unnecessary war between the United States and Syria in the future.