If it were being done entirely in secret, it would be history’s greatest international spy thriller. The world’s biggest global players, not all of them exactly friendly, have to cooperate to pull off the impossible: collect and destroy Syria’s vast stores of chemical weapons. And as fast as possible. Read more»

In the wake of a recent Russian-U.S. deal averting American airstrikes, Syria has begun to answer questions about its chemical weapons stockpile. One thing inspectors don’t have the mandate to ask is where those weapons came from in the first place. But evidence already out there suggests Syria got crucial help from Moscow and Western European companies. Read more»

Detective work in Syria that was completed this week has allowed UN investigators to document some of the world’s worst suspicions. They found that a deadly rocket slammed into the second floor of an apartment building in the Damascus suburb known as Moadamiyah in the early morning hours on Aug. 21. There, the warhead sheared off, spreading a gas that quickly killed those who lived inside. Read more»

Sorry, Syrian civilians caught in the middle of a civil war ... the Lone Ranger's not coming. Nor is anyone else. Read more»

Eyewitness accounts, medical records and remnants of the weapons all show that Bashar al-Assad's forces fired poison on Damascus civilians, Human Rights Watch says. Read more»

It should be clear to members of Congress that only the threat of military action against the Assad regime's chemical weapons capabilities is what could create a possibility for Assad to give up control of those weapons. Read more»

A year ago, President Obama declared that the use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar Assad would cross a “red line for us” and might trigger a U.S. military response. Now, the president says it wasn’t his red line, but rather a line set by the international community and by Congress. Read more»

I want to see justice done and war criminals prosecuted. I am not an isolationist. I believe the United States can help shape a positive future for the global community. But the idea that firing a few missiles will help the good guys win the war and end things happily is a dangerous, unrealistic basis for our role in world affairs. Read more» 1

Both of Arizona’s senators voted Wednesday to authorize military strikes against the Syrian government for its reported use of chemical weapons against civilians and opposition forces in that country’s civil war. Read more»

Arizona's Republican senators had only one question as Obama administration officials asked for congressional approval Tuesday for a military strike against Syria: What took so long? Read more» 1

On the one hand, you want to project strength and defend human rights. On the other, you want to avoid quagmire and avoid further destabilizing the Middle East. Hmmm ... Read more»

"This use of chemical weapons is a terrible assault against innocent men, women and more than 400 children. The United States and the nations of the world must condemn such a heinous crime against humanity. I look forward to the debate in Congress regarding the president's decision and to receiving additional information regarding the U.S. government's findings and proposed military action against Syria." Read more»

The Americans don't want it. The Germans don't want it. And the Brits don't want it. The overwhelming consensus of public opinion in the Western world is that a war with Syria would be a bad idea. This now gives President Barack Obama some flexibility to back down off his red line, save political face, and do what's necessary to prevent further violence in Syria. Read more»

Tucson Weekly's Dan Gibson, Councilman Paul Cunningham, Sunnyside Governing Board member Daniel Hernandez, Washington commentator Jimmy Zuma, and attorney Don Loose. Read more»

President Barack Obama's speech on the anniversary of the March on Washington, along with financial advisor Shelly Fishman, Martha McSally, Community Food Bank CEO Bill Carnegie and event coordinator Kris French, plus Middle East expert Stephen Zunes Read more»