The West it seems is keen these days to become embroiled in civil wars and foreign conflicts. Despots and tyrants have oppressed people since time began but this Century the West appears to want to be hands on in almost every conflict. I say almost, as we still choose our opponents well at times. 

Let's face it in the the past our involvement with despots and tyrants has often been by supplying arms and weaponry to those oppressive regimes.  

The people of Syria are under attack. The attack appears to be from the existing regime. Just how many of the Syrian population desire change is not known. There are many regimes around the world that oppress their people. Again this blogger says, we still pick our battles fairly carefully. Perhaps this is why Syria is still open to debate. Although the Syrian people need help it is hard to know the best course of action.

 When politicians such as US senator John McCain preach war they should remember the ultimate cost. 

Today the UK learned that it had lost six of its young soldiers in Afghanistan yesterday. The death toll for the UK in Afghanistan now stands at 404. Each of the countries involved with the Afghan conflict have their own terrible death tolls. Then there are those who have suffered injuries, from relatively minor ones, to ones that debilitate for life. Children who have lost a parent and parents who have lost a child. The suffering is incalculable in real terms.The people of that country have also paid a terrible price. More than 10 years of war and little has changed in the long term. The fragile peace could be shattered in a flash. The recent furore following Koran burnings showed that little has changed.In the last year Middle Eastern countries have undergone civil wars, conflicts and change but few are better off yet. 

Who can predict what the future may bring them.Israel, Iran and North Korea are all possible future problems. Each could ultimately demand military action of some kind. So Mr McCain if you want the US to lead from the front and go into Syria I suggest you do just that. YOU personally lead from the front. McCaim may have a military record but it is the young men and women of today that he wants to become embroiled in yet another civil war. If in time war is necessary so be it. However right now there seems to be too many people keen on military action, death, destruction, damaging the environment and spending a small fortune.

Perhaps such politicians should try to get their own countries in order before interfering in yet another Middle Eastern country. The US may feel that it is safely tucked out of harm's way across the other side of the world but Europe is not.