U.S. Strike on Syria is Up in the Air

            The chances of a U.S. strike on Syria have been thrown into doubt and confusion this week following the apparent compliance of President Bashar al-Assad to the international ban on chemical weapons. Following the Russian proposal, Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which will require the presentation of a complete list of its chemical weapons by Saturday and the complete destruction of its stockpiles by June 30, 2014. In an interview with Fox News, Assad emphasized the technical difficulties and the $1 billion cost involved, and even Putin has said he does not have 100 percent certainty that the project will be seen through. President Obama continues to exert pressure on the situation by affirming that the U.S. will consider military options if Syria does not comply. Secretary of State John Kerry demanded that Syria have speedier compliance with the regulations and is currently in talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in order to smooth out a deal.

 At the UN General Assembly the U.S. and its allies the U.K. and France are pushing for an authorization of military force if Syria fails to follow up on its promises of chemical disarmament, while Russia and China have made it clear that they would use their veto powers against such a resolution.

            As regards the war on the ground in Syria, Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil has claimed that neither side of the fight is powerful enough to ensure a military victory and that this could lead President Assad to pursue a cease-fire. It is unclear, though, what groups could be involved in such peace talks or if Assad’s resignation would still be a possibility.

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2. "UN Confirms Syria's Assad Signed Chemical Weapons Decree." Al Jazeera America. Al Jazeera, 11 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/9/11/syria-political-stalematelooms.html

3. Strobel, Warren. "Kerry-Lavrov Rapport Smoothed Path to Syria Deal." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 15 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/15/us-syria-crisis-kerry-lavrov-idUSBRE98E01W20130915

4. "Syrian Deputy PM Says War Has Reached Stalemate, Cease-fire an Option." Al Jazeera America. Al Jazeera, 19 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/9/19/syrian-deputy-pmsaysceasefireapossibility.html