Attempt at an Analogy

You have a neighbor you don't know very well. You don't particularly care for him, but mostly, he minds his business and you mind yours.

One night, you hear a big ruckus from your neighbor's house. You wonder about calling the police, but it doesn't seem to be all that serious. Just loud. Very loud. You figure it's his business, it's his life, and you wouldn't want someone calling the cops just because you got a bit loud, would you?

The next day, you see his wife and she has a shiner. Well, maybe you should have done something, but you aren't certain just what. Even if you had called the cops, what would have happened?

Next time happens. The fight is VERY loud. This time, you call the cops. Domestic disturbance, you say. No, not your house, your neighbor. No, you don't know if either of them has a gun. You aren't even certain you know his correct name.

Three or four hours later, the cops show up. There's no noise going on. No one comes out of the house. The husband and wife appear at the door and tell the officers that there is nothing wrong. They would like to know who called, however.

The next day when you walk out your door, they both glare at you. They figure you're the one who called. They don't appreciate it in any way. You've just made BOTH of them mad at you.

What will you do the next time you hear a loud fight?

You talk to some of your other neighbors. They agree that he has a mean temper, and that she is getting the worst of the fights. However, your neighbors point out that although she has made a few half-hearted requests for help, she is unwilling to press charges against him, and she is also unwilling to leave the relationship. Some of your neighbors claim that she is as responsible for the fights as he. Your neighbors say "It's their life. Keep out of it."

What would you do?

Now, replace your neighbor with Syria.

What do you think we should do?