AFP: Chemical Inspectors Enter Syria’s Douma

A team of investigators with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons landed in Syria to examine the reported April 7 gas attack near Damascus, but delays block them from entering the neighborhood. The United States, France and Britain had already launched missile strikes on military sites. French President Emmanuel Macron admitted that missile strikes will do little in protecting civilians and instead reflect international condemnation of chemical weapons. The US and France suggested that evidence might have been removed in the area controlled by Syrian and Russian troops; Russia supports the investigation. “Several experts have also said however that any investigation at this stage was likely to be inconclusive,” notes AFP. “The war of words continued to spiral between the Russian-backed Syria regime and the West but a military escalation looked to have been averted despite both sides trading threats after the strikes.” The AFP article alerts to the dangers of false reports of attacks, triggering retaliation and escalation of the civil war that has raged for more than seven years and displaced more than half the population. The West is trying to revive peace talks. Analysts suggest that Russia, with more involvement in Syria, has the diplomatic advantage. – YaleGlobal