By Jeremy Ben-Ami
WASHINGTON, D.C — I was horrified by the chemical weapons assault in Syria several weeks ago on innocent civilians and children — the latest example of the Assad regime’s brutal war on its own people.
We’ve all been considering the wisdom, effectiveness and propriety of the American retaliatory missile strike on a Syrian airbase and trying to articulate an American policy that recognizes the importance of holding Assad accountable for his actions without taking steps that deepen the chaos and suffering. We also understand the serious implications of action or non-action on both regional stability and the future of American leadership in the Middle East and around the world.
In the early days of an administration with an apparent aversion to complex strategic planning and which appears to lack an overarching approach to world affairs, I’d offer four key thoughts for consideration.
First, there should be an appropriate and effective balance between diplomacy and force in American foreign policy. Military force is sometimes a necessary tool of foreign policy — but it’s most effective when used sparingly, deliberately and in concert with a full range of other measures. The leading edge of US policy-making should be diplomacy — working with allies and adversaries alike to address crises and resolve conflicts peacefully wherever and whenever possible.
So far, the Trump administration has failed to take the role of the State Department and American diplomacy seriously. The president has openly admitted to being ill-informed or mistaken about major issues of foreign and domestic policy, yet he continues to marginalize and undervalue the agencies and veteran public servants with institutional knowledge. He’s left many key positions within the State Department and other parts of the national security team unfilled.
J Street has criticized — and will fight — the administration’s budget proposal, which contains massive cuts to the State Department and foreign assistance programs that would devastate our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts around the world.
Second, if humanitarian concern is truly to play a driving role in American foreign policy, the administration must reverse its cruel and destructive refugee policy. In the face of the Assad regime’s horrific atrocities, we need to provide aid to refugees and victims, even as we seek a lasting solution to the conflict.
In partnership with others in the American Jewish community and following the lead of incredible voices like HIAS, we’ve expressed outrage over the Trump administration’s disastrous and unacceptable policy towards refugees and immigrants fleeing from Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East and around the world. It is shameful for us to deny Syrian refugees a place of safety in the United States.
Third, one-off retaliatory strikes don’t add up to a coherent strategy. A comprehensive American policy toward the Syrian conflict must draw on all the tools of foreign policy and humanitarianism, and not simply our military prowess. The United States should play a leading role in the creation of a multinational forum to thoroughly address the problems at the root of the conflict in a way that engages all of the stakeholders.
Finally, sustained use of American military force constitutionally requires Congressional authorization. Many of J Street’s close allies in Congress are leaders in pushing the executive branch to seek this authorization. This push was as valid when urged on the Obama administration as it is today with the Trump administration.
The Constitution was designed to limit the executive’s authority to go to war. Over the past two decades, as military technologies have evolved, the use of the armed forces in the Middle East has stretched those constitutional limits perhaps beyond the breaking point.
The situation in Syria and the broader region is deeply complex and the failures of American policy are not unique to the Trump administration. But past mistakes can’t be an excuse for failing to construct a coherent policy that addresses these major concerns.
Diplomacy must be a first resort, not an afterthought. The US should lead by example, starting by supporting refugees — not turning our back on them. We must build a long-term strategy that engages friends and foes alike in the search for comprehensive solutions. And, finally, when the use of military force is warranted, it must be approved by Congress.
Moving forward, J Street will continue to champion these principles. The future of Syria and its people hang in the balance, as does the resolution of other complex conflicts and challenges around the Middle East from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to Iran, from Afghanistan to Yemen.
As advocates of sane, compassionate and effective American leadership, we’re going to have to make it clear that there are no shortcuts to peace, security and stability.
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Ben-Ami is president of J Street, which supplied his column.