Syria under Bashir Assad (closed end 2014)

[davidbfpo]

Jon,

On the main thread for Syria I posted a link to an actual plan. Amidst that was the following passage, the plan was written before the latest report of CW use:

Prepare war crimes prosecutions now—Just as U.S. forces in Iraq circulated a deck of cards identifying top regime figures, the United States and its partners should develop a working list of Syrian key regime officials, with categories of ‘target’, ‘subject’ and ‘witness’ related to personal responsibility for the wilful destruction of civilians and the use of chemical weapons. Rather than presuming indictment, this exercise should be an inducement for departure and defection of the civilian and security circle around Assad. People who abandon the regime and help the opposition should do so in expectation of separating themselves from otherwise certain culpability for crimes against humanity. Indeed, this enforcement mechanism for violation of international norms, rather than military action, should have been the administration’s tool of choice in setting the Presidential 'red line' on chemical weapons use.

Link:http://nationalinterest.org/print/co...lan-syria-8924

That is the minimum that can be done now IMHO. I am not convinced the UN will take this course, so a coalition of the willing is needed and with as many regional contributors as possible. If the terms of reference are to prosecute all parties involved, just perhaps Iran would join - after all they suffered from Iraqi use of CW awhile ago.