It’s Official: Britain Votes To Launch Airstrikes In Syria

After much spirited discussion and a heated 10-hour debate, UK lawmakers in Parliament have voted to approve the launch of airstrikes in ISIS strongholds in Syria. MPs (Members of Parliament) voted 397 to 223 in favour of the resolution, with all but 7 Conservatives voting in the affirmative, who were joined by 66 Labour MPs.

With the UK already involved in Iraq via airstrikes, this vote not only marked the official involvement of the UK in the ongoing international battle to defeat ISIS, but extended the reigion in which airstrikes are being launched. Prime Minister David Cameron noted that while there will be “strong support from our allies,” he also noted that the operation in Syria would require “patience,” suggesting that the UK may be in for the long haul.

I personally believe that the time frame in which Britain (as well the U.S. and all other countries) will be involved with ISIS all depends on how many countries decide to get involved, let alone whether or not other countries decide to become involved. In a larger sense, this is the common problem that the global community has when it comes to crises: the reluctance to get involved. While this reluctance may initially exhibit cool-headedness in the rational thinking of the consequences before action is taken, it has now become an excuse for inaction. Recently, I saw a political cartoon on POLITICO (a political journalism organization that publishes political news) that captures the essence of the dilemma that I am talking about. While the cartoon applies to the issue of climate change (in light of the COP21 conference in Paris), I believe that it applies to almost every pressing issue that affects the global community, most of all the issue of ISIS. Do you agree? Here is the cartoon: