In a previous editorial, the Law Tribune Editorial Board expounded upon the importance of remaining vigilant in upholding the rule of law when determining the response to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's criminal use of chemical weapons against his own people. We expressed relief that President Barack Obama did not act unilaterally, but instead sought congressional authorization for potential armed intervention, even while we took no position on what action, if any, should be sanctioned.
On Monday, just as the Obama Administration and Congress were engaging in a standoff over whether to authorize the use of military force against Assad, a possible diplomatic solution opened up. In a deal proposed by the Russians, Assad orally agreed to sign on to the Chemical Weapons Convention, to place his chemical weapons cache under international control, and halt further production. Although it is not known whether this first step will mature into an enforceable agreement, it was widely seen as giving all parties some breathing room. In the meantime, Congress will continue to debate whether to authorize a strike against Assad's forces, to keep up the diplomatic pressure.
