What to make of Syria in recent days

Having reached a diplomatic impasse major power war seems highly likely, if not inevitable.

The United States (US) and Russia have today, 11 APR 18, both advanced United Nations (UN) security proposals to investigate the recent alleged chemical weapons attack experienced in the last rebel redoubt of the ancient Syrian capital Damascus. The rebels had held the suburban district of Eastern Ghouta since early in the Syrian war  and persistently harassed the urban centre of the city with rocket and mortar attacks.

The alleged chemical weapons attack involved the deaths of up to 40 people and respiratory episodes of many more, including women and children. Western media has been amplifying the attack by voicing the objections to the attack via channels of mass media communication. The most vocal opposition to the attacks has come from the US whose ambassador to the UN is a highly effective public speaker, Nikki Haley.

The chorus grew louder with the French president Emmanuel Macron pledging French intervention against those responsible for the attack. Emmanuel Macron is largely seen as an establishment politician, having formed his own party, En Marche, after leaving the position as minister of economics in the widely unpopular Francois Hollande government, received an envious mandate from the French public of over 70% in presidential elections in 2016.

Theresa May, Prime Minister of the UK has condemned the attacks also. In a separate but connected incident, ex-double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia, pronounced Yulia, were admitted to hospital a month ago in critical condition after suffering from a suspected chemical weapons attack. The blame for this attack was placed on Russia as it is believed the nerve agent was a substance developed in the Soviet Union and held to that by the Russian Federation. 

For those who are unaware, the Russian Federation, or Russia, is Syria's strongest ally and has formed the vertebrate defence of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's Ba'athist government throughout the Syrian war. The Skripal poisoning event led to the expulsion of over 120 Russian diplomats from over 30 countries, who were accused of being also undeclared intelligence officers. While this is not directly connected to events in Syria it is helpful to understand the context, the atmosphere pervading international relations at present.