Final Word from Wednesday, September 24, 2014

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Even after five Czech soldiers died in July as part of a mission to Afghanistan, most Czechs shake their heads if asked if their nation is at war. Czechs don't like to think about it, to be sure, but there's more to it than just denial. It's increasingly uncertain in this day and age who is at war, where, and with whom. Take the latest scrape in Syria. Barack Obama stated yesterday that "over 40 nations have offered to help in this comprehensive effort to confront this terrorist threat - to take out terrorist targets; to train and equip Iraqi and Syrian opposition fighters...." Obama no doubt included the CR in these 40 nations, because it sent munitions to the Kurds. Yet the war was extended yesterday to include assaults on Syria, a country that has not agreed to take part. The question now is to what degree Czechs and other allies share in the responsibility of going to war in Syria, even if the decision to drop the bombs was Obama's alone. [Czech Republic Nato coalition]