The Syria Strike Debate: A Political Scorecard

by Mitchell Plitnick It’s too early to tell yet whether Russia’s initiative has removed the threat of a U.S. strike on Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons. While the signs are as good as could be hoped for… Continue Reading

Iran Torn on Syria

by Alireza Nader via USIP Iran has mixed feelings and conflicting interests in the Syrian crisis. Tehran has a strategic interest in opposing chemical weapons due to its own horrific experience during the 1980-1988 war with Iraq. For years, President… Continue Reading

Kerry Gaffe on Syria Takes on Life of its Own

by Jasmin Ramsey You’re no doubt aware by now of a proposal by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for Syria to hand over its (still only accidentally acknowledged) chemical weapons to international control, which his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem said Syria “welcomes”. Syrian… Continue Reading

US Credibility Requires More than Enforcing Red Lines on Syria

by Robert E. Hunter “…my credibility is not on the line. The international community’s credibility is on the line.” — President Barack Obama, Stockholm, September 4, 2013 President Obama and other US supporters of attacking Syria in response to its… Continue Reading