Human cost of Syria

SIR – Western politicians must learn to listen to the voices of those whose countries they intend to invade, and to those who understand the cultural and political realities of these countries.

Before the current conflict began in Syria, most people saw President Assad as the least bad option to avoid civil war. They realised that only Assad could guarantee the stability and freedoms (particularly for women and children) that are not even enjoyed by our “allies” in the Middle East.

To our shame – and now increasing cost and danger – protestations from such sources fell on deaf ears.

Rev R C Paget

Brenchley, Kent

SIR – Islamic extremism had arisen long before the Iraq war, going back at least to the election of Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran in 1979. After our intervention in Iraq it was predicted that terrorist attacks on European countries would increase.

Aside from the Madrid station attack, this was not the case. Pandora’s box was truly opened when we did nothing about Syria. This presented an opportunity for the expansion of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The saddest effects of the Syrian war have been the mass exodus of Syrian refugees and the total destruction of one of the cradles of civilisation.

Janina Doroszkowska

Marlow, Buckinghamshire