WASHINGTON, D.C. Aug. 26 (DPI) — Readers overwhelmingly oppose intervention in Syria, even after US officials say it’s almost certain the Assad regime used a chemical weapon against a rebel stronghold last week.

“I believe this is the time to stay out of it,” wrote one on NYTimes.com, whose post was among the highest recommended by other readers today. “It’s not our fight.”

Despite US assertions that the Assad regime is behind an apparent chemical attack, many readers remain suspicious of an attack’s origins. And some comments likened the current situation to the Bush Administration’s efforts to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq on the alleged presence of weapons of mass destruction.

Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was quoted by a Russian newspaper denying the use of chemical weapons.

Overall, reader responses reflect a widening view that almost no player or group in the Middle East is credible or worthy of military intervention.

The Top Five Highest Recommended (304) on NYTimes.com:

I highly doubt that Assad who by all accounts is winning the Syrian civil war would all of a sudden decide to gas innocent civilians, something that would make absolutely zero sense strategically and would be madness – the Islamist rebels (who have been implicated in numerous atrocities) however would obviously have everything to gain from such a attack in order to provoke military intervention.

Even if the Syrian government is responsible, our national interest are not at stake and there is no reason to intervene, it is not out job to overthrow every authoritarian government in the world. if Britain, France, and Israel are so desperate to intervene go at it. I wish Obama had a backbone, but I would be surprised if he grew one now.

(260 Recommendations) Stay out of this Mr. President. We have lost too many American lives in the Middle East already. Let these people sort out their own problems. You have enough problems at home that you need to take care of; a bad economy, uninsured Americans, hunger and homelessness. If you want to fight a war, fight the greedy bankers right here at home. Start telling us the truth and put the NSA on a short leash and start trusting the American people. You promised change and a better way of doing things. Start now.
And please, don’t get us involved in another war because of our loyalties to Israel. They can take care of themselves as they have proven time and time again. Stay at home and do your job.

(196) It never ceases to amaze me the majority of people who call for military intervention are doing it from the comfort of their homes, political offices or are too old to fight. While I deplore the use of war weapons, including chemical ones, I recognize this is a matter in which we do not have a pony in the fight. Assad is correct when he states the US has traveled about the world creating wars and meyhem yet never resolving or wining any. The conflict in Syria is over a year old and there is still no resolution. In Tunisa, Libya and Egypt the “Arab Spring” of freedom has turned into a nightmare. Before we speak of settling the problems of the world and fight for voting and self governing rights abroadl, perhaps we should fight for and resolve these issues in North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Texas and the like.

(179) The same activists clamoring for military intervention will, after an intervention, exercise their outrage at the US for again intervening! As bad as Assad is, dumping weapons into the hands of the aggressive islamists who have taking over the rebel front would be far, far worse.

The US and its allies have nothing to gain in this mess. Stay out of Syria. Aid Turkey, Jordan and Israel when the time comes to defend themselves

(146) I believe this is the time to stay out of it. It’s not our fight.