Russia’s Orthodox Church has voiced support for Moscow’s air strikes in Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group, thus:
“The fight with terrorism is a “holy battle” and today our country is perhaps the most active force in the world fighting it,” said the head of the Church’s public affairs department, Vsevolod Chaplin. Russian military action “corresponds with international law, the mentality of our people and the special role that our country has always played in the Middle East.” The Orthodox Patriarch Kirill said “Russia took a responsible decision to use military forces to protect the Syrian people from the woes brought on by the tyranny of terrorists.” Armed intervention is necessary because “the political process has not led to any noticeable improvement in the lives of innocent people, and they need military protection” He cited the suffering of Christians in the region, the kidnapping of clerics and the destruction of churches, adding that Muslims “are suffering no less.”
The Patriach was supported by Talgat Tadzhuddin, head of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia. Another example for the history books of religion in support of the ruler.
It’s difficult to know where to start! Have they not heard of the Crusades? Don’t they realise that this reaction is precisely what ISIS was hoping for: a huge, pitched battle against the unbelievers. If America couldn’t “win” Iraq and Afghanistan, why do they suppose Russia can in Syria? “The “special role our country has always (my italics) played in the Middle East” – really? This could be a disaster for a distant country in a bad economic mess. And where does Christianity come in?
Syria is a huge mess. Its absolutely vital we do not support ISIS or Assad. As Bernie and Hillary said in the debate last night, we should support a coalition of Arab countries who want to restore law and order to the country. Also, we shouldn’t enforce a no-fly zone as that could lead to flighting with the Russian air force. Overall, we should stay out of this one. By all means, send aid and take in some refugees. But no more. Or else it could end up like Libya, where we helped overthrow a dictator, but he was replaced by Islamists who are even worse.