In a press conference earlier today, President Obama very cautiously addressed the question of whether or not Assad crossed the chemical weapons "Red Line." His conclusion? We don't yet know, but if we do find out conclusively it would be a "game changer."
Without Russian support, or at least acquiescence, it is difficult to see how more robust policies of aiding Syrian rebels; or of direct military intervention can succeed
Chuck Hagel confirmed what was suspected by Israeli, British and French intelligence: Chemical weapons were used in Syria. The vexing policy dilemma this fact-on-the-ground creates.
Groups like UNICEF and the World Food Program a stand at the ready to provide life saving assistance to Syrians caught in conflict, but they do not have enough money to fully fund their humanitarian response.
UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman spoke in Washington, DC on Friday on the security situation in Africa and the Middle East, including updates on Mali, Somalia, and Syria.
Ambassador Christopher Hill stopped by the HuffPo Live studios this afternoon to talk about diplomacy towards North Korea and Syria. The good folks at HuffPo had me on as well to weigh in.
The crisis in Syria is a children's crisis. Yet, for all our talk about helping suffering children the international humanitarian response has been truly pathetic.