Editorial Board Reactions on Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria

Washington Post: “The United States should be using its own resources to determine, as quickly as possible, whether the opposition’s reports of large-scale use of gas against civilians are accurate. If they are, Mr. Obama should deliver on his vow not to tolerate such crimes — by ordering direct U.S. retaliation against the Syrian military forces responsible and by adopting a plan to protect civilians in southern Syria with a no-fly zone.” http://wapo.st/12v7BZs

New York Times: “President Obama’s credibility is also on the line. In several comments since last August, he called the use of chemical weapons ‘totally unacceptable’ and, in an unwise move, drew a red line by warning that if Mr. Assad resorts to such weapons ‘there will be consequences.’…Chemical weapons would be a chilling escalation. The White House insisted again on Wednesday that those responsible for using them ‘must be held accountable.’ At some point, those words have to mean something, whether the culprit is the Syrian government or the rebels.” http://nyti.ms/16CqzhR

Chicago Tribune: “The world approaches a moment of decision. If the Syrian government launched this chemical attack, will it be held accountable, not just by the U.S. but by countries in the Arab world and elsewhere?...Or will world leaders shrug, await Assad's next outrage, and debate the meaning of ‘red line’?” http://trib.in/16Cr63f

Dallas Morning News: “Before international action can occur to prevent more Syrian atrocities, the world must first overcome the sense of numbness from this war and allow the true horror to seep into our collective consciousness. Iran and Russia find it easy to look the other way because inaction by the international community, especially Washington, effectively gives them and Assad a green light.” http://dallasne.ws/1785JaP