Syria, US Move Closer to 'Red Line'On April 25, as if the Obama administration did not have enough to worry about, the White House said chemical weapons have been used in the Syrian civil war. The use of sarin nerve gas is a violation of international law. Its usage could mean the United States and allies through the United Nations could get involved in the Syrian struggle, which has raged for two years. White House officials said they are not sure how the sarin was used. It's possible the rebels used it. It's more likely the gas was used by the dictatorial regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the White House said. President Barack Obama has said there is a "red line" of violation that will put the United States much closer to assisting the rebels against Assad in a more direct manner than the non-lethal aid we give to them now. The use of chemical weapons challenges international norms supported by the U.S. and the United Nations. President Obama must be cautious as he weighs action against the Syrian regime. War in the Middle East has cost America much blood and treasure since 2001. An escalation of the war in Syria could put our troops in harm's way.
Yet there are other considerations. The U.N. estimated in February that the Syrian war has cost 70,000 Syrians their lives. It is thus difficult for the U.S., NATO, the Arab League and the U.N. to stand almost idly by when those entities supported the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi in Libya in 2011. Gadhafi did not use chemical agents against his own people. The composition of the rebel force in Syria is a roadblock to increased aid. Parts of the Syrian rebel force have been reported to be Muslim radicals — probably to include elements of al-Qaida. Supporting factions of this type came back to burn the United States on Sept. 11, 2012, when radicals attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans, including the ambassador, were killed — long after Gadhafi had been replaced. But as the U.S., NATO and the U.N. weigh their options, the body count in Syria is growing. And now Assad may have shown true desperation by using sarin gas. International laws on chemical weapons should mean something. The White House and U.S. allies must now weigh what kind of response is warranted to these events in Syria. REPRINTED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE DAILY NEWS DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM 
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