Recently the Syrian government has been accused of a very serious global crime: Using chemical weapons on its own people. There has been some debate as to whether or not the Syrian government, headed by President Bashar Assad, was responsible for the heinous attacks or whether it was rebel forces in Syria, who many say are becoming more and more radical as the president continues to oppress his people. Both the rebels and Assad blame the other, but there are reports that the less well funded rebels don't have the capability to acquire or utilize such complex weapons. Upon learning of the attack, the global community issued an almost immediate response, both verbally and in the form of UN investigators to determine whether or not chemical weapons were used, and if so which ones. There was more controversy coming out of Syria when the inspectors began their investigation. They were traveling in marked vans, one of which came under sniper fire, which debilitated the vehicle but failed to injure anyone inside. As with the chemical weapons attack, Assad and the rebels continue to point fingers at each other. Approximately one year ago, President Obama learned of Syria's potential to use chemical weapons on their own people, which he warned would be "crossing the red line", and would trigger a serious US response. As of now, no nation has engaged in military conflict with Syria as they wait for the UN to deliver the results of its investigation, but the United States, France, Great Britain, and their Middle Eastern allies have said that there will most likely be a "punitive attack". Many Syrians feel as though that would be inadequate, simply slapping Assad on the wrist will not be near enough to convince him to put his tyrannical and oppressive regime to a halt. Already engaged in an extremely violent civil war, it would seem as though the last thing Syrian people would want would be outside intervention, especially in the form of military attacks. However, that seems to be the only possible option left, as the UN and the United States have been warning Assad that using chemical weapons would surely lead to a response. If there is no action other than simply stating how morally wrong these attacks were, than there will be no reason in Assad's eyes not to continue issuing such malicious attacks on the citizens of the very country he is supposed to lead. The most probable option for response is currently firing several tomahawk cruise missiles at Syria. Cruise missiles, though ominously named, are relatively small missiles in comparison to the rest of the United States artillery. It is suspected that several missiles will be fired at various locations, such as the launch points for the chemical weapons, airports, and military headquarters. With a recent White House cabinet meeting, and as more warships pile up on the coast of Syria, the possibility of a military response from the United States, France, and/or Great Britain is ever growing, though nothing has been declared officially in regards to responsive action.
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