Burns: Three Vital US Interests At Stake in Syriabr Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - The Aspen Institutebr When it comes to Syria, does the U.S. have a 'dog in the fight'? There are no good options and many reasons not to intervene in Syria: Assad's powerful allies, the public's aversion to another war, and wariness over an opposition army that includes Islamic extremists. However, holding back means ignoring a growing humanitarian crisis, where the number dead has topped 100,000. Discovery of Assad's use of chemical weapons prompted President Obama to approve the delivery of small arms and ammunition to rebel forces.