So the choice in Syria was never between Western intervention or leaving the country in a sort of pristine state of civil war, unsoiled by foreign hands. Instead, the only question was who would do the intervening. The lesson for our MPs should be clear: before you decide that Britain has no business in a crisis like Syria’s, you have to be sure that the countries who will be involved are skilful enough to do a better job – and generous enough to protect our interests.