Sunday Times: Britain Must Stay out of Syrian Shooting War

Britain’s army chief-of-staff has warned Prime Minister David Cameron that the nation’s armed forces should forego any military response to reports that Syria has used chemical weapons for fear of being sucked into an all-out war according to a report in the London Sunday Times. The newspaper’s report indicates that General Sir David Richards believes virtually any serious response to the chemical weapons reports would constitute a huge military undertaking, even the option of setting up safe zones, which is being discussed. All eyes are on the White House since it became a virtual fact that the Assad regime has, indeed, used chemical weapons – most likely sarin gas – against the rebel forces and in doing so has stepped over the red-line President Obama himself drew when he warned using non-conventional weapons would be a “game changer.” After failing to accept putative proof of at least two incidents, Washington has admitted the reports are true but the President continues to caution to be careful in preparing a response. He referred to the intelligence reports about chemical use a “preliminary assessment.” Adding to the confusion are reports by Syrian state-run media accusing rebel troops of also using chemical weapons in their fight against the regime’s army.