John Kerry should run for president in 2016.
He has spoken passionately and knowledgeably about Assad’s horrific use of chemical weapons in Syria against more than 1,000 civilians and over 400 children. He has made the most effective argument for a missile strike against Syria to show the world that war crimes will not be tolerated.
He has made a strong case that the United States will use force only when necessary to prevent further death and destruction. He has argued forcibly that if the U.S. does nothing-- as it has for the last two years in Syria -- Assad will be embolden to use chemical weapons again. What’s to stop such chemical breezes from blowing into Israel, Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon? If the U.S. fails to act, Iran, North Korea, and other countries will have a green light to use weapons of mass destruction.
The ghosts of Iraq and Afghanistan continue to paralyze policy makers. But what about the ghosts of Munich? Should mad dictators be forgiven or appeased?
Any missile attack has unforeseen consequences but, as Kerry has pointed out, if the United States does not stand up for the defenseless against mass murder, for international treaties, for what is morally right, who will?
Kerry has also worked tirelessly for world peace. For the first time in years, due to Kerry, peace talks are being held between the Israelis and Palestinians.
John Kerry served able in Congress for thirty years. He served nobly in Vietnam. He was a great senator and now a superlative secretary of state.
