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Syria: a powder keg with echoes of Sarajevo 1914
Who could have predicted that the assassination of Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand would be the spark to ignite world war one? Does Syria carry the same carry potential?
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Syria insists Bashar al-Assad is a “legitimate” president, as Russia says it opposes any “use of force” clause in a UN resolution to put his chemical weapons under international control.
A UN inspectors’ report into the Damascus chemical weapons attack in August says there is “clear and convincing evidence” that sarin was used.
US Secretary of State John Kerry says any deal over Syria’s chemical weapons is not a “lifeline” to President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime has “lost all legitimacy”.
The Syrian government welcomes the agreement to disarm their chemical weapons but the US warns Syria that it will take action if it fails to live up to its promises.
But Syrian rebels say the US and Russian plan for decommissioning Assad’s chemical weapons ‘can go to hell’, won’t work and sets back the opposition cause.
Who could have predicted that the assassination of Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand would be the spark to ignite world war one? Does Syria carry the same carry potential?
President Vladimir Putin has a number of guises – from ace fisherman to chopper pilot. His moves on Syria this week have only bolstered that fearsome self-image – and his ambitions for Russia.
Vladimir Putin appeals directly to the nation in a US paper, calling on the American public to steer clear of “brute force” in Syria, as the Russian foreign minister prepares to meet with John Kerry.
President Assad tells Russian TV that the threat of a US missile strike hasn’t influenced him at all, while the UN says it has received documentation on Syria joining the chemical weapons convention.
One reason why Russia opposes US intervention in Syria is that it could make a bad situation worse. And from a Russian viewpoint, instability is a far greater worry than injustice or cruelty.
Why have all the powers involved in trying to resolve the Syria crisis – the US, Russia, France and Britain – so singularly failed to exhaust diplomatic avenues to avoid conflict?
As negotiations continue over a UN resolution, Russia is reported to have shown the US its plan for placing Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal under international control.
A newly bespectacled David Cameron claims US Secretary of State John Kerry’s comments that Syria could turn over its arsenal of chemical weapons to international control was discussed at the G20.
Russia says it is working on a “concrete plan” that would see Syria’s chemical weapons dismantled. How might this be achieved and what are the obstacles?
As the US begins talks on Russia’s proposal to place Syria’s chemical weapons under international control, Russia rejects a draft resolution drawn up by France authorising force.