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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsForeign policyStarted 9yrs agoActive 3yrs ago

Should the U.S. overthrow President Assad of Syria?

The Syrian Civil war began in the spring of 2011 after nationwide protests against the government of President Bashar al-Assad resulted in armed conflict. After rebels seized control of several major cities, ISIS forces moved in and took over control of many regions of northern Syria. The government of Assad responded by carrying out airstrikes resulting in over 70,000 civilian deaths. Proponents of overthrowing Assad argue that he is a brutal dictator who must be removed from power before he carries out any more atrocities on innocent Syrian civilians. Opponents of regime change, including President Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, argue that removing Assad will result in a power vacuum that will destabilize the Middle East.

53 Replies

 @3NLJZVB from Florida  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but if a bomb aimed at ISIS accidentally killed him, well, oops.

 @3NMD7FBfrom Ohio  answered…4yrs4Y

The unrest in the Middle East is caused by a lack of power. You can overthrow this dictator, but must maintain a presence to keep power and keep ISIS away.

 @3NMRLBGfrom California  answered…4yrs4Y

No, Assad is a brutal dictator but can only be removed by a diplomatic process and elections by the Syrian people.

 @3NLJV2Nfrom New York  answered…4yrs4Y

I don't think we can separate Assad and ISIS. First we must defeat ISIS and then negotiate with the Russians on the best way to remove Assad.

 @8RB2K9DIndependent from New York  commented…3yrs3Y

While I do like the idea of two major powers taking down Assad, I don't see it happening, as Russia is a bootlicker for the Assad dictatorship

 @3NMYZT7from Florida  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but we should work toward a diplomatic solution that would lead to his departure.

 @3NMRZFRfrom Pennsylvania  answered…4yrs4Y

No, it's none of our business and we really need to cut our military spending.

 @3NML9F9Republicanfrom Guam  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, only with a clear set goal and an understanding that we will not meddle or install puppet governments or takes sides in any elections. The balance has to be worked out without foreign intervention. The balance must be achieved by the Syrian themselves only then will you have stability. We should also remain as a peace keeping force only to maintain an environment for change.

 @robertsalmenfrom Northern Mariana Islands  answered…4yrs4Y

How other nations do/do not rule their own is none of our concern. ISIS is our concern because they are directing attacks on our home soil.

 @3NLTYS7from West Virginia  answered…4yrs4Y

No, not directly. If the Syrian people are to overthrow him, we can support them, but we cannot fight this battle for them.

 @3NLPJFRfrom Minnesota  answered…4yrs4Y

No, we should stay out of other countries' governments. Bashar Al Assad is a good president for Syria.

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...9yrs9Y

Yes, but only if we join an international coalition

  Deletedanswered…4yrs4Y

We should reduce our foreign involvement but aid in effort to overthrow ISIS.

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...8yrs8Y

No, Assad is their elected leader and we have no right to overthrow the leaders of sovereign nations

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...9yrs9Y

Yes, Assad is a brutal dictator and must be removed from power

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...9yrs9Y

No

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...8yrs8Y

No, and we should avoid foreign conflicts that are not an immediate threat to our security

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...9yrs9Y

No, this would allow ISIS to control Syria

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...9yrs9Y

Yes, but we should defeat ISIS first

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...9yrs9Y

Yes

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