Crossing the Red Line

           
     The UK, France, and the Israel have confirmed the use of chemical weapons in Syria. The United States has not confirmed the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but John Kerry is telling NATO to consider its role in Syria and how the possible use of chemical weapons changes the landscape of the crisis. The question lies in the fact of what the United States, or more specifically, what may the Obama administration may do?

   In August of 2012, Obama said “that any effort by President Bashar Al Assad to use chemical weapons would have significant consequences.”

   Three countries have now approved the fact Syria has now crossed Obama’s “red line.”

   One option people may consider is arming the rebels.

                  The UK has hinted at the possibility of arming the rebels, but the United States still has reservations about the possibility. There was already an inherent belief that the Syrian rebels were vulnerable to shifts in power. But since the announcement of a prominent Syrian rebel group, Jabhat al-Nursa, joining an Iraqi Al-Quaeda, the already worrisome possibility of arming the rebels is more so currently.

                  With the introduction of arms for the rebels, there has been talk about furthering that influence with no fly zones which ultimately may make the United States involved in the crisis. The last thing the American public and the Obama administration wants is another war or crisis in the Middle East especially considering the United States is still wholly involved in Afghanistan.

  The other option may be to continue the use of nonlethal aid to the Syrians rebels.

                   The crisis is escalating too quickly for nonlethal aid to be effective. The United States has doubled the aid it gives to Syria. The UK is signaling that because of the use of chemical weapons, it may send troops. There is no way Assad will be able to save his regime, and there will be a definite change in leadership. As the crisis continues, Assad is backed into a corner and has nothing to lose by attacking the rebel groups with chemical weapons.

  It is hard dilemma that the Obama administration has to face, and I want to know what do you think will happen?

            In the comments below, please respond to the question:

                         “What do you think Obama should or will do currently if the United States officially confirms the use of chemical weapons in Syria?