I'm writing to express my concern at the naivete of those in Congress who have urged that we Americans get involved in the Syrian civil war. History has shown that all of our efforts to establish a Western-style government in the Mideast have failed.

Now we see such luminaries as Sens. McCain and Graham advocating arming the rebels who are known as radical Islamists and terrorists. With all the knowledge gained from our experiences in this part of the world our elected representatives should know enough to stay out of Mideast conflicts.

We supported the corrupt Shah of Iran, who was deposed by the radical Islamist regime that is now giving us a hard time. We set up Iraq's Saddam, as a buffer with Iran, then had to depose him with one our most expensive wars of modern times.

We started a war of revenge in Afghanistan, again with no understanding of what we were trying to do, or how to end it. We have no idea as to the local people's mores or religious beliefs.

I urge the readers to write to their elected representatives to ask them to use common sense and concentrate their efforts on the U.S. economy, eliminate deficit spending, and reduce the size of inept government.

Christopher Mullaney

Old Lyme