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 →