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SALT LAKE CITY — It seems the situation in Syria changes by the day. The question remains, will the U.S go to war, and what will that look like?
The last time the U.S. went to war it was against Iraq. To some, the situations seem similar. To others, they are vastly different.
With the Iraqi War, we had a president trying to convince the international community, Congress and the American people that it was necessary to take action
"The Iraqi regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised," President George W. Bush said in an address to the nation on March 17, 2003. "The danger is clear."
Now, we have a president who has been trying to convince the international community, Congress and the American people that it could be necessary to take action.
So 100,000 Syrians are killed and who cares. Syria became an issue for this administration because the president drew a red line. Assad tested that red line and the president didn't do what the president said he would do.
–University of Utah law professor Amos Guiora
"A failure to stand against the use of chemical weapons would weapon prohibitions against other weapons of mass destruction, and embolden Assad's ally, Iran," said President Barack Obama in an address to the nation on Tuesday.
They sound similar, but this time the political parties are switched.
"I'll be voting against this resolution," said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Tuesday on Capitol Hill.
And the reasons are different.
Then, we were told going into Iraq would keep America safe. But this time, University of Utah law professor and co-director of the center for global justice, Amos Guiora says it's not about keeping America safe or Syrians safe.
"So 100,000 Syrians are killed and who cares. Syria became an issue for this administration because the president drew a red line," Guiora said. "Assad tested that red line and the president didn't do what the president said he would do."
"We're not talking about war," said Secretary of State John Kerry. "We are not going to war."
President Obama says that the United States military "doesn't do pin pricks."
"There's a lack of coherence in the administration's message as to what is the method and means and purpose of an attack in Syria," Guiora said.
The resolution in front of Congress is on hold for now, but it talked about 60 days with the possibility of 30 more. Guiora says it's unclear what that means.
It's also unclear what Syria's deal with Russia means about turning over chemical weapons. But what is clear, is that this is about more than just one country.
"Syria is important," he said. But the real elephant in the room is Iran."
