Smith: Sad Facts Of Current Refugee Crisis

Robin Smith

We all cringed when we saw the 3-year-old toddler's limp body in the arms of a Turkish soldier after the toddler's parents reportedly fled Syria. This drowning overshadows the more than 2,000 who've drowned in the modern-day exodus that has counted almost 5 million people fleeing Syria and nearby regions into Europe.

Look at a map. What are nations adjacent to Syria? To the south, Iraq and Jordan form its southern border, with northern Iran to its east and Saudi Arabia consuming the largest land mass of the Arabian Peninsula. Afghanistan sits on the eastern border of Iraq.

Who are those emigrating from their homes?

Currently, the focus is on Syrians. Yet, refugees seek "asylum" from the ravages of war - poverty, civil strife and, yes, terrorism - in the entire region. In addition to the 5 million moving out of the Middle East, another 6 million people have been "internally displaced."

Why are so many compelled in their urgent flight from their homes?

Simply, the consequences of failed foreign policy are on display where America has withdrawn and allowed Barack Obama's policy of "self-determination" to prevail in nations that sponsor terrorism and have in-name-only governments that operate in pure corruption and a religion that is incompatible with freedom.

Harsh? Let's look at facts.

ISIS, or the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, is an al-Qaeda successor that's well-funded, effective in its propaganda and recruitment, and at the heart of this regional turmoil that has replaced any role of diplomacy, order or stability formerly provided by the presence of the U.S., Great Britain or other allies.

Pathetically, the Obama administration called ISIS the "JV" team to downplay the extremism of the group that, according to CNN, was "disowned by al-Qaeda in early 2014" and "has proven to be more brutal and more effective at controlling territory it has seized." Since Obama refused to address the terrorist extremist group for its authentic danger, the BBC observed that ISIS has "become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings," and its June 2014 formal declaration of "the establishment of a 'caliphate' - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law, or sharia, by God's deputy on Earth, or caliph."

The BBC continued to offer clarity while Obama embarrassed himself and our great nation with complete denial: "IS seeks to eradicate obstacles to restoring Allah's rule on Earth and to defend the Muslim community, or umma, against infidels and apostates."

What makes ISIS so dangerous?

Its will.

The ISIS commitment to establish a world run by sharia law - according to the BBC, law that "comes from a combination of sources including the Quran (the Muslim holy book), the Hadith (sayings and conduct of the prophet Muhammad) and fatwas (the rulings of Islamic scholars)" - is their goal, justifying all means, even beheadings, death by stoning, amputation of limbs, and sex, rape and marriage to pre-pubescent girls.

Disgusting? A New York Times piece captured a story of a 9-year-old "wife" of a devout Muslim living on the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen that walked to a hospital with complaints of abuse and beatings at the hands of her "husband."

What nations observe sharia law in the "region" of mass exodus? Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian Territory, Yemen, Qatar, Afghanistan, just to name a few.

In contrast, the deepest roots of American law reach into the Judeo-Christian faith, creating a representative form of government and individual opportunity, with no beheadings, suicide bombings or withholding of education to the entire population of women.

Face the facts of this crisis.

Robin Smith, a former Tennessee Republican Party chairwoman, owns Rivers Edge Alliance.