The International Interests of the United States in Taking in Syrian Refugees

“If you treat people right they will treat you right … ninety percent of the time” (Franklin D. Roosevelt). This quote, although several decades old, holds a truth that we as a nation seem to have forgotten.

In these past few months, the United States has witnessed the rise of an organization among the most extreme and dangerous terrorist groups of history: ISIS. As a result, over four million people (according to the U.N.) have fled the regions in and near both Syria and Iraq. Many of these refugees have been able to find safety in various European countries. Nevertheless, many are still in need of shelter, food, and protection.

The United States Government has been less than supportive of policies to help these refugees to give them protection in the United States. In addition, many people fail to realize the various advantages that sheltering these refugees could bring to the United States and its international standing.

The perception of the United States in the Middle East is quite derrogatory. A snapshot of the United States’ favorability ratings from the Pew Research Center in 2014 presents Egypt at 10%, Jordan at 12%, Turkey at 19%,and Pakistan at 14%. Low as these ratings are, the United States holds an opportunity to change this perception. As a nation, The United States is presented with a golden opportunity to not only change the abysmal opinion these people have of the United States, but to also improve political relations with these countries. The current refugee crisis offers a perfect opportunity to help out these Middle Eastern countries which are currently housing the bulk of the refugees: Turkey, Jordan, Libya. Such intervention on behalf of the United states would not only help with the favorability rating of the United States within these counties, as we would be helping with the physical and financial burdens of caring for these people, but also would open lines of communications with these countries and potentially foster better political relations as well.

Aside from the goal of improving the national image (portrayed in the favorability rating), other potential improvements are present in foreign relations in the Middle East. The refugee crisis presents the opportunity to show the rest of the world that we, as a nation, take a strong stance against injustice, terrorism and violence, and that we, as a nation, will rise above our own concerns and put other people’s lives before our own peace of mind. If done correctly, this selfless act will serve as an example of the sort of country that the United States wants to portray itself as: a selfless defender of liberty and justice all around the world. If done correctly, taking in these refuges will be far more effective of a weapon against terrorism than any use of bombs, guns, or troops, as it will be a step in the right direction for creating a more positive image of the United States as well as better relations with the countries in the Middle East.