White House finds 'indications' Syria used chemical weapons again
The State Department on Monday said it was investigating allegations that Syrian troops used chemical weapons earlier this month against rebel forces, raising the possibility that President Obama will have to reconsider his light-touch approach to handling that nation's alleged war crimes.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the administration had seen "indications of the use of a toxic industrial chemical, probably chlorine." However, she cautioned that it was too soon to draw any conclusions about whether a banned chemical agent was indeed used, and if so, by whom.
The news comes one day after France claimed to have information linking embattled President Bashar al-Assad's forces to a chemical weapons attack on April 11. The attack killed at least 10 and sickened hundreds more, with both the rebels and Assad's forces blaming the other side.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Obama administration signaled last fall it was prepared to launch targeted strikes against Syria, though it opted instead for a more diplomatic approach under which Syria was to destroy its entire chemical weapons stockpile. If Syria truly did use chemical weapons again, it would threaten to upend the delicate compromise, presenting Obama with yet another thorny foreign policy question.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.
-
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is a town for all seasons
The Week Recommends Fall, winter, spring and summer all usher in new activities
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
What went wrong at CVS?
Today's Big Question Pharmacy chains are in crisis
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Russia's best investment
Opinion Eric Adams isn't the only politician with foreign benefactors
By William Falk Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published