The Daily Campus

1. President Bashir has been charged with war crimes by the ICC - which has no police force to ensure a trial, and no members willing to contribute their military to extract Bashir so far. As Bashir is unlikely to take a vacation to New York or turn himself in to the courts, so far all that has resulted from this decision is a lot of media conversation.
2. Saying "everyone in Darfur is Muslim" is like saying "everyone in England is Christian", or maybe "everyone in the U.S. is Christian". Also, even if everyone happened to be Muslim, would they follow the same traditions? Sunni and Shi'a Muslims do not always get along, but their conflicts are treated as more than political.
3. Saying "everyone in Darfur is black" is like saying "everyone in England is white", or maybe "everyone in the U.S. is white". Additionally, perhaps the people in Darfur identify themselves as a member of one of the 500-plus tribes that reside in Sudan rather than referring to their skin color.
4. True, the primary conflict may be based around politics - but the fact that most Janjaweed are recruited from African-Arabic tribes and the rebels from non-Arabic Africans should probably be taken into account.
5. The fact that the conflict has international consequences could be cited as a reason for other nations to use force. Other nations have a tendency to become upset when they have to harbor thousands of refugees and beware of distant military conflict affecting their citizens.
6. Perhaps the word "genocide" is a bit strong for some people, but expecting a nation to avoid giving any comment on a war that has drawn international attention may be somewhat difficult.
7. Of course, it would be best if everyone involved in this conflict could sit down and come to an agreement. After five years of failed cease-fire agreements, economic sanctions and peacekeeping forces, with the war and civilian casualties still climbing, the only options left that can be expected to have any effect on the situation are to start applying force or to throw one's hands up in the air.
8. The U.S. cannot afford to start another private war on non-existent grounds. However, ignoring internationally-supported efforts to pursue legal avenues in stopping violence that can be seen on T.V. might have an negative effect on a nation's international credibility.

I, personally, am all for the U.S. throwing it's hands up in the air and sitting out on this one, but others concerned with human rights may disagree.