I write in reference to your article Trump builds coalition to target Syria's deadly arsenal (April 11): the ongoing crisis in Syria and in particular the recent abysmal chemical weapons attack in Douma appears to have had a profound impact on world leaders, especially the mercurial US President Donald Trump.
His Syrian counterpart Bashar Al Assad is indignant and refuses to accept his responsibility for all the recent atrocities that have been carried out on the Syrian people. Mr Trump is waiting for the participation of other allies to strike the Syrian regime and thereby save innocent civilians.
But will he manage to form a coalition strong enough to hinder the Syrian regime? And will strikes succeed in stopping Mr Al Assad from committing further atrocities on his own people? Unfortunately until there is a decisive outcome, the biggest sufferers are Syria’s innocent civilians.
K Ragavan, Bangalore
Amid outside interference, Iraq needs political shake-up
I write in reference to your article Iraq vice president says elections alone will not solve the country's problems (April 10): as far as I am concerned that is obvious. It is a sad fact that unless foreign meddling and external interference are controlled and reined in, the condition of Iraq in various sectors and its hopes of genuine progress will not improve. Streamlined governance, more accountability and greater transparency are all vital parts of changing the face of Iraq today.
Name withheld by request
Don’t forget scars of Iraq war when intervening in Syria
In reference to your wise editorial Assad is emboldened to kill by his backers (April 8), it shows have low nations like Russia and Iran have stooped that they continue to support Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, in spite of his regular use of chemical weapons to kill and maim thousands of ordinary citizens. Now US President Donald Trump is rallying the British Prime Minister and French President for joint military action in Syria.
But we must learn from the bitter lessons of history. I am reminded of a similar situation that prevailed in Iraq in the early 2000s, which ultimately led to the inordinate loss of life of both Iraqis and Allied troops. President Assad should not flout global norms and bomb and gas his own people. Syria used to be a beautiful country; today it is gradually being dismembered by a rotten power struggle which is bound to leave deep scars on many generations of common Syrian citizens, particularly the young who know only war.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
