The series of strikes launched by the United States et. al. violate international law, and will simply prolong the suffering of an already traumatised people, writes Green Party co-leader /u/imnofox.

Today, the government of New Zealand expressed their support for the United States-led air strikes in Syria, entering another war in the already war-torn Middle East.

Of course, this is not just a war, but a shocking and proxy war- where Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the West have all been fanning the flames in their perpetual tumble for imperialist regional dominance.

The rule of law, international law, does and should matter. The violation of international borders without any kind of lawful sanction to bomb other nations does matter. It matters because these bombs will kill and harm more innocent civilians, civilians who have for too long been kept in the middle of these power struggle of foreign nations.

The population of Syria is trapped in the centre. While their own government perpetuates violence against it's own people, rebels and other forces are being backed by foreign states interested only in promoting their own interests through 'strategic' power plays. All at the expense of the lives of the Syrian people.

Make no mistake, there is no defence for Assad's actions against his people. There is no excuse for the chemical weapon attacks he has committed. The Syrian people don't deserve that. But they don't deserve any of this war. Especially not the exacerbation and the acceleration we are now seeing.

We should not accept the philosophy of 'might is right' when it comes to the integrity of international borders and the use of force. The catalyst is irrelevant; no moral nation can justify violating international law in response to any other incursion. Aotearoa New Zealand, as a small country, relies on multilateralism and the rule of international law- and so we must stand up against unlawful international state violence.

This attack doesn't serve the people of Syria. It serves the economic interests of the United States. This is a war that would not have been so prolonged and bloody had it not been for the active involvement of Russia and the West.

We certainly have not exhausted all of our diplomatic options.

I am shocked and disappointed to see the new government so rapidly dispose of the values of Aotearoa New Zealand. I am shocked to see the Prime Minister issue not only his acceptance of the strikes, but his enthusiastic support.

We must be actively seeking a peaceful end to the proxy war in the Middle East. We must not be actively supporting it's prolongment.