Real-time coverage of Syrian situation
Emboldened by Saturday’s non-decision by the United Nation’s Security Council some perceive the Syrian government is ready to do “whatever it takes” to shut-down further protests, especially in the hot-house of Homs.
The question now being asked in many world capitals is whether intervention is prudent or even possible if the Syrian government undertakes an all-out massacre.
Just in case you want to know more, both The Telegraph and The Guardian are blogging real time coverage.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9064047/Syria-uprising-live.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2012/feb/08/syria-assad-siege-homs-live
THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE
The Telegraph’s Alex Spillius has spoken to a US State Department official who warns the international community may be forced to “militarise” the crisis. (The story is near the top of Thursday’s “Most Viewed.”)
He writes:
The official from the State Department told The Daily Telegraph that while the White House wants to exhaust all its diplomatic options, the debate in Washington has shifted away from diplomacy and towards more robust action since Russia and China blocked a United Nations resolution condemning Syria.
While I don’t know what Mr. Spillius was told in the hallway, here’s what the State Department spokesman said at Wednesday’s regular State Department briefing:
QUESTION: Are you able to tell us whether or not the Pentagon is part of this conversation on the U.S. side?
MS. NULAND: We often have asked the Pentagon to use its assets in certain circumstances, both consensual circumstances and more difficult circumstances, but I really don’t want to speculate on exactly how this might be moved. But as we’ve said repeatedly, we are not looking for military options, if that’s what you’re getting at, in Syria.
For further background on why military intervention is unlikely see a post by Scott Clement in The Cable:
“Don’t Count on a Syria Intervention: In the end, Americans just aren’t interested in getting involved in promoting democracy overseas.”
