Letter: War to blame for refugee crisis

The scope of the refugee crisis is incomprehensible. Scenes of refugees from the Middle East are heartbreaking. We see that these displaced families are like our own families and we have compassion for the immense suffering and humiliation these millions endure. We contribute dollars to refugee assistance, attend benefits, participate in walkathons and criticize public officials when they seek to blame the victim. However, until we recognize and admit that war is the principal reason for the refugee crisis, we will have failed to grasp the key to short or long-term solutions.

From Libya to South Sudan, from Yemen to Syria, from Iraq to Afghanistan, it is obvious to anyone wishing to see that war is the cause of this suffering. If war is not curtailed, refugee numbers and suffering will increase. We have spent almost 15 years and $1.7 trillion in military intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we continue to bet on war as the solution. We sell cluster bombs to the Saudis and have started sending B-52 bombers to our bases in Qatar. Is there any clanging of history here?

As citizens of the U.S., we must call on our government to reverse course. We must renounce an exalted sense of American exceptionalism and stop seeking refuge in our fears. We should take the occasion to listen to experienced and passionate peace workers, Kathy Kelly and Ann Wright. They will speak at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Ed Flaherty

Iowa City