WarSclerotic

The despicable use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime on Wednesday is a testament to one of two things: Either President Bashar Assad feels immune against an American-European countermeasure that he is allowing himself to employ a weapon of this nature, or his military situation is so problematic and his grip on power so tenuous that he has exhausted all other effective options to combat the rebellion.

It is certainly possible that in Syria’s current reality both options are true. American weakness, characterized by a lack of a responsiveness even after THE red-line of using chemical weapons was crossed at least three times already, has led Assad to conclude (probably justifiably) that this time, too, he will emerge unscathed. However, Assad’s quagmire may be more convoluted than the Western media has portrayed. He controls only about 40 percent of the country, the rebels have taken a large portion of Aleppo and they are advancing in Damascus as well.

However, even though the chemical-weapons Rubicon was already crossed three months ago, Wednesday’s incident sets a new and dangerous bar. For the first time in the Middle East, chemical weapons were used openly, in the light of day. This no longer constitutes selective use; the scale was wide enough to indicate an intention to cause massive casualties. There are no more controversial testimonies of uncertain veracity, rather a clear and indisputable event. If you will, Assad shed his fears, and his shame, on Wednesday.

Officially, Syria will almost certainly deny the accusations and attempt to cover its tracks, which is precisely how it will relate to the U.N. team of inspectors currently in the country to investigate the previous claims of chemical weapons attacks. In this regard, the specific use of Sarin gas must also be considered. Of all the chemical weapons available, Sarin dissipates the quickest — which is important if one intends to deny its use.

None of this directly pertains to us in Israel, as this is just another in a long line of atrocities and more victims to add to a death toll fast surpassing the 100,000 mark. However, a deeper look at the situation does raise a two-fold concern. Firstly, we understand that such weapons could be turned toward us and that we need to address the threat and neutralize it if need be (either to prevent it from being used or from falling into the irresponsible hands of others). Secondly, there is a need to formulate a new strategy to account for Western weakness in the region — echoed by the cries of anguish and desperation in Syria and accompanied by the other failed U.S. and European policies in the region, policies that could have far-reaching consequences for us as well.