![]() ![]() Under such circumstances, it may seem alluring to seize an opportunity to outsource the personnel needed for a foreign military intervention. When “doing nothing” is not perceived as an option, yet direct intervention appears to be a step too far, decision makers and their staffs seek ways to intervene indirectly. ![]() ![]() This book is about understanding the “something in between” policy. If the situation influences national security, but the circumstances do not so strongly engender public support for an overt commitment, then the decision maker has a more difficult choice to make: (1) choose not to intervene and suffer the consequences of political adversaries at home and rival states abroad viewing the administration as weak on security and unwilling to stand up to threats abroad (2) choose to intervene directly and risk failure or being labeled as aggressive and unconcerned about the ensuing loss of life or (3) find something in between. Such circumstances allow the decision maker to quickly move to planning for a direct intervention. If a civil war breaks out in another state and overtly threatens your own state’s security, then the situation clearly warrants a direct and overt response. All players here are going to have to pay a penalty and the United States of America is going to be on the side of people who fight for freedom.” 1 But the threat in Syria just doesn’t look threatening enough to the White House, or most American citizens, to warrant a direct intervention. ![]() We’re going to have the Russians pay a price for their engagement. We’re going to dedicate ourselves to the removal of Bashar al-Assad. McCain publicly urged the president, “I want to hear him say we’re going to arm the free Syrian army. Senator John McCain consistently pushed the White House to arm Syrian rebels as a means to bring down the Assad regime without committing America’s regular forces. WHEN THE decision to intervene in another state’s affairs becomes a public conversation, a decision maker can be left with only deciding how, rather than whether, to intervene. ![]()
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