Originally Posted by kane

I would say it has something to do with protecting civilians. Essentially Obama is in a position he can't win. If he did nothing then the republicans would attack him for standing by and letting civilians get killed and not helping them fight for democracy. They were on him for a few days before we started the bombing, it would have only gotten worse. If he bombs (as we have) then some from the left attack him for getting us into another war when we already have two going and some from the right attack him for spending money on this attack that we don't have.

He couldn't win no matter what he did.

In the end it is at least somewhat about protecting civilians in hopes that they will overthrow the leadership, take power and be our friends. So it is helping them out with a hope of it one day paying a dividend.