Victory for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has apparently achieved a complete victory in its long war with the Tamil Tigers. The Tiger's leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was "shot dead while trying to flee the war zone in an ambulance after the final battle." Although it is still too early to assess fully the implications of Lanka military success, one thing is clear. Sri Lanka was able to utterly crush the rebel terrorist organization only because it ignored international pressure to stop its offensive. There was no ceasefire that allowed the Tigers breathing space to regroup, and no negotiated settlement that would have preserved the organization in some capacity. Instead they were wiped out along with their long-time leader. Sri Lanka did what needed to be done to achieve victory. 

Human Rights & War Don't Mix

Under pressure from Western countries and human rights organizations, Sri Lanka apparently promised to avoid using "heavy artillery" as it attempts to finish off Tamil Tiger resistance. But Human Rights Watch says they are using "heavy guns" anyway, and killing civilians.

"Recent satellite photos and witness accounts show the brutal shelling of civilians in the conflict area goes on," said Brad Adams, the Asia director of HRW. "Neither the Sri Lankan army nor the Tamil Tigers appear to have any reluctance in using civilians as cannon fodder."

Guess what? That's called war. Sri Lanka is attempting to crush Tamil Tiger resistance. The Tigers follow no "rules" of war, carry out terrorist attacks, employ child soldiers, and hide amongst civilians who they use as human shields. But the Sri Lankans are supposed to hinder their own military operations, and put their own soldiers at greater risk, all in the name of human rights. The idea that Sri Lanka can't use artillery because they might kill civilians is completely idiotic. Why not just tell them they can't fight at all?

The Obama administration has been involved in the West's efforts to restrain Sri Lanka, interference that is both unnecessary and dangerous. It is unnecessary because it is none of our business what Sri Lanka does in quelling a separatist movement. The area has no particular strategic interest for the U.S. But more importantly, such action is dangerous to U.S. interests. If we recognize a principle that outside states, let alone human rights organizations, can dictate what weapons can and cannot be used during military operations, that principle will be used against the U.S. in the future. 

A War Nobody Cares About

If you actually look for it, you might learn that a major government offensive is underway in Sri Lanka, an assault that succeeded in capturing the rebel administrative capital. According to this article in The Economist, the Tamil Tigers are facing defeat.

The long conventional war in Sri Lanka, pitting the Sinhalese-dominated government against the vicious rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have been fighting for a separate homeland for the Tamil minority, is almost over.

The Tamil Tigers often employ terrorism and even suicide bombers, and they are fighting for their own homeland. I don't know, but that sounds vaguely similar to someone else. Oh yeah, the Palestinians. Isn't it interesting that The Economist actually characterizes the Tamils as "vicious." What are the odds of seeing such a description of the Palestinians in any mainstream UK reporting outlet?

Here's the description of what's left of Kilinochchi, the Tamil capital:

buildings smashed by artillery fire; a vast LTTE cemetery; and a score of women, children and old men.

I wonder how many civilian casualties were inflicted by the Sri Lankan Army? Where are all the articles condemning the "disproportionate" attack on the outgunned Tamils? Where are the American and European leftists who are screaming about Israel's evil onslaught against the peace-loving, rocket-firing residents of Gaza? Why aren't all the Muslim countries -- so hypersensitive every time Israel accidentally kills a Palestinian civilian -- up in arms about Sri Lanka?

I know the Sri Lankan conflict is obscure in the West, so I thought I'd visit a couple of Asian news outlets. Surely the latest news from Sri Lanka would be front page material there. I went to The Jakarta Post.  Surprise, no front page story on Sri Lanka. But there was one called "Indonesia told to seek coalition against Israel." How about Malaysia? I went to The Star Online  and was shocked to see that their headline was, "Malaysia wants UN special assembly on Palestine." Wow, nothing about Sri Lanka, and more concern for the poor oppressed Palestinians. Why are Indonesia and Malaysia so worried about the Palestinians, and so oblivous to the plight of the Tamils? I wonder.

What's missing from the Sri Lankan conflict? Why doesn't anyone care about the Tamils and their civilian casualties? What about their desire for a homeland? Why are even Asian countries obsessed with Israel & Gaza, even though there is a far deadlier conflict going on in Sri Lanka?
It's actually very simple. The Sri Lankans are not Jews, and Sri Lanka is not an ally of the United States. If Sri Lanka were a vital U.S. ally, and the U.S. backed its military campaign against the Tamils, there would be a worldwide outcry, and the plight of the Tamils would instantly become an important cause to be championed by leftists everywhere, including here in the U.S.  And if the Sinhalese were Jews, and Sri Lanka were a Jewish state? Every Muslim country in the world, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, would suddenly become vigorous defenders of the poor Tamils.