Syria’s War: If This Isn’t A Red Line, What Is? -- The Economist
The latest alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime, if proven, could change the course of the civil war—against Bashar Assad
THE horrors of Syria’s civil war have become so routine and relentless that recent massacres have barely been aired in the world press. But if it can be verified that on August 21st hundreds of people, most of them civilians, were killed by chemical weapons fired by President Bashar Assad’s forces, a new level of atrocity will have been reached that may persuade Western governments to change their policy of military non-intervention. One opposition tally exceeded 1,200.
Barack Obama declared a year ago that it would “change” his “calculus” if Mr Assad were to plumb such depths of brutality. Since then, the American president has set his face against direct involvement (see Lexington). Now, however, he and the two Western governments that have come closest to tackling Mr Assad head on, France’s and Britain’s, may be badgered into thinking again. The two Arab countries most keenly arming the rebels, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, may also try again to pull the Western trio in.
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Commentary And Analysis On U.S. Options In Syria
Syria attack: US 'focused on nailing down facts' -- BBC
Obama Officials Weigh Response to Syria Assault -- New York Times
Obama Faces Growing Calls to Act Over Syria Gas Attack Claims -- Voice of America
Obama faces growing calls to act over Syria gas attack allegations -- Reuters
Scenarios: Obama's options on Syria carry significant risks -- Reuters
A moment of truth in Damascus and Washington -- David Rohde, Reuters
Five reasons the U.S. doesn’t act on Syria chemical weapons reports -- Max Fisher, Washington Post
Why We're Still Not Intervening in Syria -- Michael Hirsh, The Atlantic
