Without trying to stir an ideological hornets nest, did you see Oliver Stone's "Untold History of the United States"? Whether you agree or disagree with Stone's presentation, his thesis was very spot-on. Simply put, the United States has become so entangled in international affairs that the decisions we make always result in long-term blowback. Until citizens start demanding its leaders to avoid unilateral policies, the cycle will perpetuate. Americans could have never predicted Jimmy Carter's funding of the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan and George H.W. Bush's alliance with the Saudi government in the Gulf War would have led to the blowback of Sept. 11. Perhaps non-action in Syria -- as terrible as the situation is -- breaks this repetition of entanglement. Maybe it allows the U.S. to reconsider its position in the world as it is, allowing the opportunities to strengthen itself through productive, non-violent means.