Despite new allegations about the use of chemical weapons in Syria, Washington is unlikely to start a unilateral military operation in Syria. Moreover, the United States will not significantly change its policy in Syria in the near future, a French analyst said.
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) chats with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin prior to a working session at the Group of 20 (G20) leaders summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Turkey, November 16, 2015 © REUTERS/ Kayhan Ozer/Pool Chances for US-Russian Cooperation in Syria ‘Higher’ Than One Could Imagine Recently, the United Nations issued a report on chemical attacks in Syria, accusing both Damascus and Daesh of using chemical weapons during the conflict. The US called for a firm and quick response in light of the new allegations. But these plans will never materialize, French security analyst and author Alaun Rodier told Atlantico. “As for me, I doubt that Barack Obama can reinforce the statement with unilateral military actions. And there are several reasons why,” Rodier said. The UN Security Council will not approve an intervention in Syria because the decision will be vetoed by Russia and China. Starting a unilateral offensive would be a violation of international norms. The US is not very much concerned about international law but in the case of Syria, Washington will have to consider the interests of other players, he explained. Smoke billows after air strikes by regime forces on the town of Douma in the eastern Ghouta region, a rebel stronghold east of the capital Damascus, on December 13, 2015 © AFP 2016/ AMER ALMOHIBANY US Pressuring UN Over Syrian Chemical Attacks Allegations to ‘Undermine Peaceful Settlement’ Moreover, Rodier underscored that chemical attacks in Syria are a very “controversial” issue and the involvement of the Syrian government has not been confirmed. Earlier, a similar opinion was expressed by Bashar Jaafari, Syria’s envoy to the UN. In an exclusive interview with Sputnik, he said that the worst gas attack that took place in Syria was orchestrated to prevent a UN inspector from going to Aleppo and investigating another chemical assault blamed on rebels. He was referring to a chlorine attack in Ghouta, a Damascus suburb, in August 2013. Shemshadi Hassan, the Iranian Radio and Television correspondent in Syria and Iraq, also told Sputnik that following the Ghouta attack several Western media outlets spoke to the militants in Damascus suburbs who confirmed that they were behind it. Russian political analyst Evgeniy Satanovsky argued that the West is still trying to topple Assad. A man rides a bicycle past burning tyres, which activists said are used to create smoke cover from warplanes, in Aleppo, Syria August 1, 2016 © REUTERS/ Abdalrhman Ismail ‘Chemical Blackmail’: What’s Behind US Accusing Assad of Using Chlorine in Syria “Now, we’re witnessing another PR campaign demonizing Assad who didn’t use chemical weapons. Damascus destroyed its chemical arsenal in cooperation with Russia in 2013,” Satanovsky said. “As for a change in the US strategy towards Syria, I don’t think it’s possible because there so many actors and parties involved in the issue. We also shouldn’t forget that Obama declared that the US foreign policy will be focused on the Pacific. Thus, Washington will preserve status quo,” Rodier suggested. Obama has little room to maneuver in Syria because his successor will have to deal with all the consequences. “There is a speculation that Obama knows that when Hillary Clinton is elected president she will be more tough and active in regards to foreign policy. Thus, Obama will not take serious action during the rest of his term,” Rodier pointed out.
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