Bowling Green Today

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) pushed for a vote in the U.S. Senate on his War Powers Resolution (S.J. Res. 51), which aims to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in and affecting Syria within 30 days of enactment. This resolution is part of Dr. Paul's ongoing efforts to return war powers to Congress and end the American military presence in Syria.

Dr. Paul highlighted the risks faced by U.S. troops in Syria, stating that "Keeping 900 U.S. troops in Syria does nothing to advance American security. Rather, our intervention puts those servicemembers at grave risk by providing an enticing target for Iranian-backed militias." He emphasized the need for Congress to reclaim its constitutional war powers and prevent the United States from being drawn into another regional conflict without proper debate or a vote.

The bipartisan resolution, co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and JD Vance (R-OH), received support from 13 Senators. The full text of Dr. Paul's Syria War Powers Resolution can be accessed online, along with his floor speech before the vote.

The presence of 900 U.S. troops in Syria, despite Congress never authorizing the use of military force in the country, has raised concerns about the safety of these troops. Recent attacks on U.S. soldiers in Syria and Iraq serve as a tragic reminder of the risks they face. Since the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel, there have been at least 76 attacks on U.S. military personnel in the region, resulting in 59 injuries.

The Obama administration initiated U.S. military operations in Syria in 2014 without congressional authorization. Although the mission to degrade and destroy ISIS was achieved in 2019, 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria without a clear objective, definition of victory, exit strategy, or authorization from Congress.

Support for Dr. Paul's Syria War Powers Resolution is widespread. Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria, Robert S. Ford, expressed the need for a serious debate about the mission in Syria and the removal of troops in the absence of congressional authorization. Other organizations and individuals, including the Pro-Diplomacy Advocacy Group at Just Foreign Policy, America Matters, Citizens for Renewing America, Frontiers of Freedom Institute, Friends Committee on National Legislation, and the Center for Renewing America, have voiced their support for the resolution and the restoration of constitutional principles.

The debate on the presence of U.S. troops in Syria is crucial, with questions arising about the purpose of their mission and the threat posed to the U.S. homeland by the groups they are fighting. Heather Brandon-Smith, Legislative Director for Militarism and Human Rights for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, emphasized the need for Congress to take a vote and fulfill its duties.

Dr. Sumantra Maitra, Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America and Senior Editor of the American Conservative, argued that the Middle East is a region with complex challenges that cannot be fixed through external interventions. He urged Washington to narrow its priorities and focus on free shipping, trade routes, and limited counter-terrorism missions, while allowing the region to find its natural equilibrium.

Dr. Rand Paul's War Powers Resolution serves as a reminder of the importance of congressional authorization and oversight in matters of war and the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of U.S. troops.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/icymi-dr-rand-paul-forces-u-s-senate-vote-on-war-powers-resolution-concerning-u-s-troops-in-syria/