Aid as importnt as weapons

Would we react any differently than Middle East people if on the receiving end of 13 years of continuous military assault? A Taiwanese China Post commentary suggested a “tipping point” during President George W. Bush’s unilateral actions, after which U.S. military forays have created more new terrorists than they’ve eliminated by inevitably empowering terrorist recruitment, particularly when innocent civilians and children are killed.

Recently, other countries, notably Germany and France, have increased activity against the Islamic state (ISIS), not only in accepting many refugees, but also militarily. Having been in the background of the long-term military action, they may be better received by moderate Arabs and Muslims. These countries also have an advantage because they have been much more even-handed toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our bias favoring Israel has long created anti-US feelings among Arabs and Muslims.

At this stage, U.S. military action should take a low profile compared to our humanitarian activities. For example, long-time U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker assures us that our “vetting system is strong,” and advises accepting 100,000 Syrians (Wall Street Journal, Nov. 17).

Hopefully, our country will not lose its soul and play into ISIS’s hands by succumbing to hate, fear and impulsive irrational actions.

Norm Luther

Spokane