Everyone is acting like within the next few days "Inspectors" will move into Syria and take charge.

[cherokeeprogressive]

Everyone is acting on the assumption that Inspectors, from somewhere, are going to enter a WAR ZONE, and take charge of the Syria's chemical weapons. Take charge of them, and keep them not only from being used, but from falling into the wrong hands.

It seems as though not only does Assad's government possess chemical weapons, but so do the rebel factions (of which there are MANY) possess them.

Folks, we're talking tens of thousands of "inspectors".

We're talking "inspecting" and "taking control" of weapons in the middle of a CIVIL WAR (as IF there is such a thing).

Who's kidding who?

It was a face-saving move on everyone's part. A quick and shortsighted move by all parties involved meant to stave off a proxy showdown between the Russians and Americans. Good thinking in the short-term, but lacking in long term strategic thinking.

IF, THEN, and GO TO take you back to the first paragraph.

[Warpy]

1. Seems like it. It looks like he's brokering some sort of deal with Putin

most of all, to get the damned things secured while the insanity is going on.

They'll keep on slaughtering each other until they're totally exhausted and the people who have crossed the borders of the neighborhing states will die of dehydration, starvation, and disease unless the world wakes up quickly to the part of that mess we actually can do something about.

[delrem]

9. Recall: this is a PROXY WAR. Thanks.

[David__77]

2. Weapons control is difficult even with an armistice.

The UN had quite a task even in Nepal with small arms under peace time in 2007. I cannot envision how this would logistically happen, but I'm glad it's stalling US aggression.

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. Oh fuckin' A so am I. But this isn't the Diplomatic Godsend everyone is making it out to be.

It's a stall. Assad will be in control of his chemical weapons for months. Many months. SOMEONE will have to put boots on the ground in the middle of a WAR ZONE in order to identify their locations and secure them.

This ain't the cakewalk the cheerleaders are making it out to be.

[delrem]

10. There are already a lot of "boots on the ground" in the middle of the war zone.

It's a war zone defined by the US, "Friends of Syria", esp. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey. Hillary Clinton in it up to her perfect white teeth, but Kerry is catching up.
These are the countries that fund, equip, supply mercenary "rebels", train them and "advise" them, most often carrying wads of $US$ cash (borrowed from China).

NOT ONE FUCKING SENTENCE OF MSM SYRIA WAR PROPAGANDA MENTIONS THESE BASIC CAUSAL FACTS.

[cthulu2016]

3. In fairness, re: 1000s going into a war zone

The Syrian government has access to its own stocks which are, one assumes, not in rebel-controlled areas. It can move them to a location suitable for recovery.

In the cooperative Syria scenario they don't need to be found and retrieved by inspectors.

They should all be connected by internal lines of communication and transport if the regime has control of them.

I agree that folks are assuming a lot based on little, but the logistics are not the biggest sticking point. IMO.

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. The ENTIRE country is a war zone and nowhere can be considered "safe".

And let's not forget the hundreds of surface to air missiles that may or may not have disappeared from Libya on their way to Syrian rebel hands.

I ain't gonna fly into Syria any time soon, that's for sure.

[truedelphi]

8. however war being war, and then the rather dubious notion that

"internal lines of communication" are all up and running, as well as whatever means to transport the chem weapons, including road and highways, is not impeded by fighting- ye goddess, if these items are now to be transported around a war torn state, it sounds like a perfect time for those radical splinter groups who want some chem weapons to go out there and get some.

[truedelphi]

5. Well that is some serious buzzkill.

Politicians are pretty removed from reality.

You might need to call the WH and explain this.

It's a shame that politicians are so removed from reality. Which is why once a nation advances in complexity, and has multiple bureaucracies, things stop working as well as they did in prior times.

The movie "Brazil" did a fairly good job of portraying what happens as things get overly complex fora nation state, with fear directing too many governmental programs.

[bhikkhu]

7. As an option to military strikes

I don't think its short sighted. And I don't mind if it takes awhile either. As in many things, the ground you are on is less important than the direction you are heading. If Assad has decided that he will give up his chemical weapons, that's a good direction.

[leveymg]

11. People would rather have idyllic illusions than have to confront an unworkable reality

This reminds me of the mass joy and celebration in late July, 1914 that accompanied news of British Neutrality, while in reality the Triple Entente, a pre-World War One alliance that was supposed to prevent the outbreak of hostilities between the Central Powers and the Allies, virtually assured that one false move would plunge all into war.

[JI7]

12. i don't know anyone who thinks that's going to happen

we still need to know what and how this will happen. such as whether it will be a UN resolution and the terms outlined there.

it's very early stage with mostly hope at this point.