USA, UK, France, and others mulling over response to apparent Syrian use of chemical weapons

Syrian soldier wearing chemical weapon protection

Various ones are looking at what to do about the apparent use of deadly chemical weapons in Syria:

August 24, 2013

A growing Western consensus that Syria’s government used chemical weapons this week against its own people is based on information from networks of informants in rebel strongholds, who collect tissue samples and video evidence for Western and Middle Eastern spy agencies, according to U.S., European and Arab officials…

On Friday, the British government said that chemical weapons were the only plausible explanation for the intense casualties this week. The White House said there was evidence that such weapons were used. Officials said U.S. intelligence agencies could make a final determination within days…

Under the new arrangement for gathering evidence, spy agencies, including those from the U.S., U.K. and France, collect samples separately through their parallel networks and then compare results. The goal is to improve their ability to confirm what occurred by using disparate samples…

Because conventional weapons also were used, it could be difficult to sort out how many people were killed with the likely chemical weapons and how many died by other means, the official said…The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324165204579031203088114652.html

The U.S. defense secretary has strongly suggested that the U.S. is moving naval forces into place in anticipation of any decision by President Barack Obama to order military action on Syria after apparent chemical weapons use.

Chuck Hagel told reporters traveling to Malaysia with him Friday Obama has asked the Defense Department for a range of options if he chooses to launch an attack on the Damascus government…

Angela Kane, the U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, arrived in Damascus Saturday to push for access to the suspected chemical weapons attack site.

Russia and China are joining international calls for an investigation into an alleged poison gas attack in a suburb of Syria’s capital, as President Obama said the reported incident is of “grave concern.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry Friday said claims by Syria’s opposition that hundreds died in a poisonous gas attack several days ago should undergo an objective investigation, and it called on Syria to cooperate…

The United States has been pushing for a U.N.-led investigation. Obama told CNN that officials are still gathering information but called the reported attack a matter of “grave concern.”

“We’re still gathering information about this particular event, but it is very troublesome,” he said.

But Obama also told CNN the idea that the U.S. can just go in and solve the problems in Syria is “overstated.”

“We have to think through strategically what’s going to be in our long-term national interests,” he said. http://www.voanews.com/content/hagel-us-weighs-military-options-for-syria/1736097.html

This week, Syrian opposition forces claimed that the government of Bashar Assad had used chemical weapons against its own people, killing scores — men, women and children — in a Damascus suburb.

If true, The Times’ editorial board argued Friday, the United States can no longer just stand by and watch:

But if chemical weapons are now being used on a major scale against civilians, the U.S. must act — ideally in concert with other nations. On Thursday, France’s foreign minister suggested that the international community should respond with “force” short of the deployment of troops if the allegations are confirmed. A no-fly zone coupled with airstrikes is an obvious option.

To which I say: Why?

Here’s what the editorial board argues:

For almost a century there has been an international consensus that chemical weapons are beyond the pale because of their cruelty and potential for widespread loss of life. That understanding was reflected in Obama‘s comments about a “red line.” The Syrian government must not be allowed to cross that line with impunity.

…President Obama drew that red line last August. No doubt he hoped it would deter Assad from using chemical weapons, while allowing us to stay out of the fight. Except now chemical weapons have been used…That red line was a dodge. A dodge that has now come back to bite us. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-syria-chemical-weapons-the-phony-red-line-20130823,0,6066722.story

The USA and UK have indicated that they have been preparing for possible military action against Syria (see UK and USA reportedly considering invading Syria because of chemical weapons concerns). It is possible that this may happen. And Syria has its own view:

August 24, 2013

Syria’s Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said at a TV interview that the American pressure will not help, and warned that attacking Syria will have dangerous consequences. “A mass of flames will ignite the Middle East,” said al-Zoubi, and added that attack on its country will not aid in any way. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4421631,00.html

Since the Bible is clear that Syria’s capital Damascus must be destroyed per Isaiah 17:1, it will be (for more details, you can also view the relatively short YouTube video Damascus and Syria in Prophecy). Whether this is done by the Syrian government, its opposition, or outside forces (which could include the USA, UK, Israel, and/or others), the Bible does not specify–but it will happen.

This does not mean that the USA, UK, Israel, and/or others involved will get off unscathed. Syria (along with its close ally, Iran) can, and very well may, cause major damage to Israel and/or the USA, UK, etc. but as they are not prophesied to takeover the USA or Israel, they will not do so. But Syria could cause terrors and other troubles to afflict the USA (cf. Mark 13:8).

The Bible itself strongly suggests that Syria will be involved in a confederation of North African and Middle Eastern nations (Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) who will support a leader that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). Since the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood wants a similar confederation, I have long believed that Syria will align with it or a group like it–and since Syria’s Shi’ite President Assad is opposed to that, he will have to go or change his views.

Whether it will be from the Syrian opposition to the Assad regime, actions by the Assad regime itself, other conflicts, and/or intervention from Israel, Syria will change and its capital Damascus will be destroyed.

“And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? Is there a needed peace deal first in the Middle East? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.