Syria has been in a state of war since 2011. It has been a brutal coalition of religious groups, rebels and militias that hate one another with the same hatred that they have for the Assad family dictatorship.
The United States has no real clue of who is doing what to whom, or who among the groups mentioned should prevail and be in charge.
If the U.S. should take sides, the question is with whom would it be? The lack of understanding of the local politics, social and religious environment has eluded the U.S. repeatedly in the Middle East.
If the international community, including the Arab League, which have been spectators for two years, want to punish Syria, then let them organize and carry out that punishment.
Dennis Rich
Schenectady