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| Daily News Brief August 23, 2013 |
Top of the Agenda: Obama Speaks Out on Syrian Chemical Probe
U.S. President Barack Obama called reports (WashPost)
of alleged chemical weapons use in Syria's civil war "very troublesome"
and said it threatened the "core national interests" of the United
States, adding that he faces a shortened timetable for a decision on a
response. Meanwhile, the UN stepped up demands on Syria for access to
the rebel-held Damascus suburbs hit by an alleged poison gas attack
earlier this week. Russia, one of Syria's staunchest allies, has called on the government (al-Jazeera)
of President Bashar al-Assad to allow the UN inspection team inside,
while activists on the ground sought to smuggle samples from victims to
the weapons inspectors. The UN special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi,
said he believed the incidents should accelerate efforts (Reuters) by world powers to mount a new coordinated push for peace talks.
Analysis
"I
am certain there are plans for the discreet use of special forces to
secure chemical weapons--but it is not clear what the trigger would be.
In either case, Mr Obama is likely to insist on going the full UN route
to gather the maximum possible support for any action--and that means
waiting for the inspector's report on earlier incidents at the very
least," writes Mark Mardell for the BBC.
"The
administration's caution has reflected not only an admirable reluctance
to ensnare the United States in another foreign war but also a concern
that the Syrian opposition remains too volatile and divided to be trusted," writes an editorial for the Los Angeles Times.
"A
president of the U.S. cannot say something crosses a red line and then
go on conducting business as usual. Doing so dilutes the impact of both
threats to foes and assurances to friends. There is no way of knowing if
past U.S. inaction may have emboldened the regime to again use
chemicals, but it is all too possible that not following through on threats could have consequences where the stakes are arguably larger--namely, Iran," writes CFR President Richard N. Haass in the Financial Times.
Obama orders US intelligence to probe Syria attack
Washington, District Of Columbia (AFP) Aug 22, 2013 - President Barack Obama has ordered US spy agencies to urgently probe claims that Syrian forces launched a horrific chemical attack on civilians, including children, aides said Thursday. Officials said they could not yet be sure the deadly arms had killed as many as 1,300 people outside Damascus, even though US ally France said it was likely they were used. The Obama administration is fac ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Obama_orders_US_intelligence_to_probe_Syria_attack_999.html
Syria: What are the West's military options?
Washington, District Of Columbia (AFP) Aug 23, 2013 - Following reports of a large-scale chemical weapons strike, pressure is mounting on the United States and its Western allies to act to halt the violence in Syria. But, with politicians and public alike loathe to get sucked into another drawn out land war in the Middle East, what military options remain on the table? BUFFER ZONES Some experts suggest buffer zones could be created alon ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Syria_What_are_the_Wests_military_options_999.html
Chemical weapons claim in Syria 'of grave concern': Obama
Washington, District Of Columbia (AFP) Aug 23, 2013 - US President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast Friday that new allegations of chemical weapons use by Syrian forces were of "grave concern". But he cautioned against the United States intervening hastily and getting "mired in very difficult situations" with actions that could "breed more resentment" in the region. In an interview with CNN he said opposition allegations that hun ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Chemical_weapons_claim_in_Syria_of_grave_concern_Obama_999.html
Obama orders US intelligence to probe Syria attack
Washington, District Of Columbia (AFP) Aug 22, 2013 - President Barack Obama has ordered US spy agencies to urgently probe claims that Syrian forces launched a horrific chemical attack on civilians, including children, aides said Thursday. Officials said they could not yet be sure the deadly arms had killed as many as 1,300 people outside Damascus, even though US ally France said it was likely they were used. The Obama administration is fac ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Obama_orders_US_intelligence_to_probe_Syria_attack_999.html
Syria: What are the West's military options?
Washington, District Of Columbia (AFP) Aug 23, 2013 - Following reports of a large-scale chemical weapons strike, pressure is mounting on the United States and its Western allies to act to halt the violence in Syria. But, with politicians and public alike loathe to get sucked into another drawn out land war in the Middle East, what military options remain on the table? BUFFER ZONES Some experts suggest buffer zones could be created alon ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Syria_What_are_the_Wests_military_options_999.html
Chemical weapons claim in Syria 'of grave concern': Obama
Washington, District Of Columbia (AFP) Aug 23, 2013 - US President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast Friday that new allegations of chemical weapons use by Syrian forces were of "grave concern". But he cautioned against the United States intervening hastily and getting "mired in very difficult situations" with actions that could "breed more resentment" in the region. In an interview with CNN he said opposition allegations that hun ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Chemical_weapons_claim_in_Syria_of_grave_concern_Obama_999.html
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