military intervention

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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;…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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“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…

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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…