military intervention

Next Steps: Obama, like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car, must now take steps to deal with the Syrian crisis—ALL OF IT

The publication by the U.K. on August 29 of a summary of its legal justification for taking military action against Syria is a most welcome…


A strong but narrow legal justification for military action in Syria: The key to building a strong coalition

The Necessity and Challenge of Crafting a Strong Legal Justification for Military Action in Syria President Barack Obama is learning, however belatedly, that other nations…


REPRISE: Hommage à Homs (actualisé / updated)

BEIRUT: Intense fighting in the central Syrian city of Homs has left 60 to 70 percent of a besieged rebel-held district damaged, destroyed or uninhabitable,…


REPRISE: Syrian military continues campaign to crush opposition in Saraqeb, Homs, al-Qusair and elsewhere—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #16 (March 24, updated March 25, 2012)

REPRISE Originally published March 25, 2012 Latest news reports Oliver Holmes and Steve Gutterman (Beirut/Moscow), “Syrian forces on the offensive; Annan in Moscow,” Reuters, March…


REPRISE: The U.N. Charter, International Law, and Legal Justifications for Military Intervention in Syria—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #90 (December 12, 2012)

This article was first published on September 1, 2012 The situation in Syria (is) unfolding “in front of our eyes”, with the regime deploying fighter…


Lakhdar Brahimi briefs Security Council; Impasse continues; No new ideas—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #87 (September 25)

Remarks at Media Stakeout Outside Security Council by Guido Westerwelle, German Foreign Minister, September 24, 2012 SC President, Guido Westerwelle (Germany) on Syria – Security…


REPRISE: Responding to Atrocities in Syria: It’s Not Just About Al-Assad, It’s About Us—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #86 (September 18)

Responding to Atrocities in Syria: It’s Not Just About Al-Assad, It’s About Us Originally published March 6, 2012 I heard a boy in Syria on…


In Washington, new voices urging no-fly zones; France reportedly supports “liberated zones”, moves towards supply of weapons—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #84 (September 5)

Recent News and Opinion on Syria James Traub, “The Obama administration has backed itself into a corner in Syria, a crisis with few good options;…


The U.N. Charter, International Law, and Legal Justifications for Military Intervention in Syria—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #83 (September 1)

The situation in Syria (is) unfolding “in front of our eyes”, with the regime deploying fighter jets against the people, in addition to heavy artillery…


REPRISE: Humanitarian Intervention in Syria Without Security Council Authorization—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #68 (July 25)

The article reproduced below, and the earlier articles it cites, address the issue of the legal justifications that might be advanced to support the supply…


REPRISE: Goals to guide the international community in Syria—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #62 (July 11)

Originally published May 29, 2012 With talk of orchestrating a Yemen-style transition in Syria through agreement between Russia and the United States, it may be…


REPRISE: Hommage à Homs: Jacques Prévert, “Barbara” (with English translation); Paul Verlaine, “Ariette III” —Obama’s Debacle in Syria— Update #53 (June 19)

Voir / See BEYROUTH (Reuters) – L’opposition syrienne a accusé mardi l’armée gouvernementale d’intensifier ses bombardements sur les quartiers résidentiels de Homs et les autorités…


Goals to guide the international community in Syria—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #47 (May 29)

With talk of orchestrating a Yemen-style transition in Syria through agreement between Russia and the United States, it may be useful to address the question…


After G-8 “agreement on Syria”, the fighting continues—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #41 (May 23) REVISED

G-8 Camp David Final Communique: Statement on Syria 1. We, the Leaders of the Group of Eight, met at Camp David on May 18 and…


U.N. says peace plan “on track” as up to 43 people killed on Friday—Obama’s debacle in Syria — Update #34 (May 4)

Points 4, 5 and 6 of the UN Peace Plan Kofi Annan’s 6-point peace plan for Syria, adopted by the Security Council in its Presidential…


William Hague (March 22): “We will not forget the people of Syria for a single day.”—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #33 (May 1)

There is a tendency to lose interest in the events on the ground in a country like Syria, after so much newsprint has been expended,…


Developments on the ground—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Upadate #31 (April 26)

The civil war in Syria rages on, with the Security Council’s 6-point peace plan a dead letter and largely irrelevant–except as a collective delusion which…


With al-Assad defiant, freeze on UNSMIS, military action required—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Upadate #29 (April 24)

In view of Bashar al-Assad’s (entirely foreseeable) refusal to comply with the provisions of Security Council Resolution 2042 (April 14, 2012) and Resolution 2043 (April…


“By all necessary means”: Syria is closer than you think, and the hour is late—Obama’s debacle in Syria — Update #25 (April 9)

Syria is Closer than you Think Distance between Damascus and the following cities: Beirut, Lebanon 53 miles Amman, Jordan 110 miles Tel Aviv, Israel 134…


Humanitarian Intervention in Syria Without Security Council Authorization—Obama’s Debacle in Syria — Update #24 (April 8)

The futility of the 6-point peace plan of Kofi Annan and the Security Council should now be clear for even the most willfully obtuse to…