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Western bombs will not stop Isis in Syria Western bombs will not stop Isis in Syria
(7 days later)
Government plans to escalate the bombing of Syria will only worsen the already desperate situation there (Letters, 20 August). Western bombs have not and will not stop Isis, they will only deepen misery, further fragment the country and spread bitterness. Government plans to escalate the bombing of Syria will only worsen the already desperate situation there (Letters, 20 August). Western bombs have not and will not stop Isis, they will only deepen misery, further fragment the country and spread bitterness.
The Isis attacks, such as the recent atrocity against Kurds in Suruç, are horrific, but they should not be used as a justification for the failed policies which have helped create terrorism.The Isis attacks, such as the recent atrocity against Kurds in Suruç, are horrific, but they should not be used as a justification for the failed policies which have helped create terrorism.
Britain needs to break with the idea that proxy wars and western bombs, drones and tanks can solve the problems in the Middle East. We should also take the positive step of ending support for despots and dictators in the region. At the moment, Britain and the US actively ally themselves with some of the most reactionary and aggressive regimes in the area, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, centres of opposition to the Arab spring and two of the sponsors of terrorist groups in Syria. This must be stopped.Britain needs to break with the idea that proxy wars and western bombs, drones and tanks can solve the problems in the Middle East. We should also take the positive step of ending support for despots and dictators in the region. At the moment, Britain and the US actively ally themselves with some of the most reactionary and aggressive regimes in the area, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, centres of opposition to the Arab spring and two of the sponsors of terrorist groups in Syria. This must be stopped.
We now know David Cameron’s government ignored parliament’s vote against bombing Syria in 2013, and authorised British pilots to bomb anyway. We call on MPs to once again oppose taking Britain into a widening war in the Middle East and this time to ensure that Cameron respects the will of the parliament.We now know David Cameron’s government ignored parliament’s vote against bombing Syria in 2013, and authorised British pilots to bomb anyway. We call on MPs to once again oppose taking Britain into a widening war in the Middle East and this time to ensure that Cameron respects the will of the parliament.
The war on terror has been a disaster. Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya lie in ruins and instability has spread throughout the Middle East and beyond. It is in fact the resulting state failure, militarisation of whole societies, and anger against the west that have created the conditions in which Isis and other jihadi groups have been able to thrive.Dianne Abbott MP, Paul Flynn MP, Graham Allen MP, Lindsey German Stop the War Coalition, Mark Serwotka PCS, Andrew Murray Unite, Kate Hudson CND, Walter Wolfgang Labour CND, Brian Eno, Mark Rylance, Salma Yaqoob, Michael Rosen, David Edgar The war on terror has been a disaster. Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya lie in ruins and instability has spread throughout the Middle East and beyond. It is in fact the resulting state failure, militarisation of whole societies, and anger against the west that have created the conditions in which Isis and other jihadi groups have been able to thrive.Diane Abbott MP, Paul Flynn MP, Graham Allen MP, Lindsey German Stop the War Coalition, Mark Serwotka PCS, Andrew Murray Unite, Kate Hudson CND, Walter Wolfgang Labour CND, Brian Eno, Mark Rylance, Salma Yaqoob, Michael Rosen, David Edgar
• I am not a member of Stop the War, partly because of their somewhat selective attitude to particular conflicts and participants in those conflicts, together with their failure to offer constructive alternatives. Nevertheless, it remains true that more bombing and more killing can only exacerbate the situation. • I am not a member of Stop the War, partly because of their somewhat selective attitude to particular conflicts and participants in those conflicts, together with their failure to offer constructive alternatives. Nevertheless, it remains true that more bombing and more killing can only exacerbate the situation.
As Jason Burke shows (There is no silver bullet, G2, 20 August), the “war on terror” since 9/11 has been a catastrophic mistake. Admission of that must be the start of a completely new approach.As Jason Burke shows (There is no silver bullet, G2, 20 August), the “war on terror” since 9/11 has been a catastrophic mistake. Admission of that must be the start of a completely new approach.
First, yes, just stop the bombing, including Assad’s. Then do everything possible to stop the flow of arms to all parties in the Middle East, which is already awash with them, including ammunition, of which there seems to be a never-ending supply. Step up diplomatic efforts to promote a ceasefire, giving full support to the UN special envoy, Italian-Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura, and his deputy, Egyptian diplomat Ramzy Ezzeldine Ramzy. Implement a massive humanitarian relief programme to the whole region, with peacekeeping troops in support if necessary to ensure it is delivered to where it is needed.First, yes, just stop the bombing, including Assad’s. Then do everything possible to stop the flow of arms to all parties in the Middle East, which is already awash with them, including ammunition, of which there seems to be a never-ending supply. Step up diplomatic efforts to promote a ceasefire, giving full support to the UN special envoy, Italian-Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura, and his deputy, Egyptian diplomat Ramzy Ezzeldine Ramzy. Implement a massive humanitarian relief programme to the whole region, with peacekeeping troops in support if necessary to ensure it is delivered to where it is needed.
This is not only morally right, but would also help to undermine the ideological basis of Isis and other terrorist groups. And a Middle East war crimes tribunal, with a wide-ranging remit and a truly independent membership, would give notice to all concerned that they cannot escape justice.Frank JacksonFormer Co-chair, World Disarmament Campaign This is not only morally right, but would also help to undermine the ideological basis of Isis and other terrorist groups. And a Middle East war crimes tribunal, with a wide-ranging remit and a truly independent membership, would give notice to all concerned that they cannot escape justice.Frank JacksonFormer Co-chair, World Disarmament Campaign
• “Don’t sit back, do something,” train hero urges (Report, 24 August) Please copy to all nations opposed to what is happening to Palmyra before we lose other world heritage sites. Delay and it could be too late.Donald PelmearLondon• “Don’t sit back, do something,” train hero urges (Report, 24 August) Please copy to all nations opposed to what is happening to Palmyra before we lose other world heritage sites. Delay and it could be too late.Donald PelmearLondon
• This article was amended on 30 August 2015. An earlier verison misspelled Diane Abbott’s forename as Dianne.