A Win for Russia and Assad

This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute.

Yesterday’s developments concerning Syria prompt mixed emotions. On the one hand, the Russian gambit to put Bashir Assad’s chemical weapons under international control effectively checkmates President Obama’s proposal to punish the Syrian dictator for using such arms. Those who saw this as an ill-advised and dangerous idea – including apparently majorities in both Congress and the public – are relieved that it isn’t going to happen.

On the other hand, neither is Assad’s chemical disarmament. As a practical matter, it’s impossible to find, let alone neutralize, a large, dispersed and covert chemical stockpile in a secretive nation amidst a civil war. Period.

President Obama may try to spin this as a triumph for his threats of military action. Whatever one thought of those threats, though, the outcome is a win for Russia and Assad.

This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute. Learn more at SecureFreedom.org.