Last August, in response to increasingly oppressive measures by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to crack down on protests and international condemnation of those measures, President Obama drew a red line for U.S. intervention in the region: If chemical weapons were used, then the United States would militarily respond. With “strong evidence” indicating that chemicals were used one year after the red line was drawn, Obama has asked Congress for approval to take military action, sparking debates that have split both parties. Questions have been raised regarding the role of the United States as the world’s policeman and if it has ethical obligations to intervene in situations of humanitarian crisis. As students and voters, we have a stake in not only the decisions the U.S. makes, but also the future state of this country. Today, two columnists have taken opposing sides in order to better understand this complex issue.

United States has another chance to live up to own ideals

America should hold back from involvement in foreign affairs