Syria Happenings..
Today, the large task of destroying and rendering inert Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal began in earnest. Under the supervision of a joint team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations, Syrian forces using cutting torches and grinders began destroying chemical weapons capable missile warheads, and air dropped munitions. Mixing and filling equipment, designed to mix chemical weapons for transfer to munitions, are also being destroyed.
Despite this welcome development, Syria remains a nation gripped by violence. Many see the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile as the fix needed, and one that will bring violence in Syria to an end. That, sadly, couldn’t be further from the truth. No longer is Syria a government vs rebel conflict. Now, its more of a rebel vs rebel vs rebel vs government style conflict. Since this bloodiest chapter of the Arab Spring began nearly three years ago, over one hundred thousand people have died. A small fraction of that total number came from the use of chemical weapons.
Long story short; this mess won’t be ending anytime soon. Its likely the death-toll in Syria will climb much higher. Combine this with the unrest seen across the Middle East and Africa, and you have a recipe for a less than tasty meal.