Blog 10; North Korea Denies Military Aid to Syria

Brittany Brooks

Blog 10

11/14/13

9:41pm 

After the United Nations and other countries found evidence of North Korean involvement in Syria, the North Koreans denied sending military aid to the Syrian government. North Korea said that the information leaked about them was false. They had been accused of having helicopters operating in Syrian territory as well as having artillery officers working with Syrian government. North Korea also had links within the Syrian chemical weapons program; however they are still claiming that they are not having any form of involvement in the fight against the rebels. Turkey intercepted gas masks and weapons sent from North Korea to Syria a few months ago. Even though North Korea has denied this information, the United Nations is going to continue its monitoring of North Korea due to these accusations along with the fact that they are known to be strong allies with Syria.

Whether or not North Korea is truly involved with Syria in helping them fight the rebels, North Korea has not had the most reputable reputation. They have made open statements in the last few years regarding their possession of chemical weapons. The United Nations may never know for sure what exactly North Korea's involvement with Syria has been, and therefore they are only able to draw conclusions with the information and facts that they do have. The United Nations just wants to find a way to end the Civil War in Syria so that innocent people are not continually killed. If North Korea is truly helping fight the rebels they are only going to make it that much harder for the issues with Syria to ever be truly put to rest.  

Article : http://townhall.com/news/us/2013/11/14/north-korea-denies-aiding-syria-in-fight-against-rebels-n1746944

Blog 9; Syria Destroys Chemical Sites

Brittany Brooks

Blog 9

11/7/13

8:00 pm 

It was this week that Syria’s ability to produce chemical weapons has been destroyed and its remaining toxic armaments secured. Assad has offered unexpectedly robust cooperation this far. Eliminating Mr. Assad’s ability to use chemical weapons is the biggest accomplishment this far. There are 1,290 tons of declared weapons that need to be destroyed within in the midst of a civil war that is happening in the country currently. However, even in the midst of all of everything that is happening, Syria has met all of their commitments and deadlines. The country’s cooperation makes Mr. Assad look credible thus far. The chemical weapons situation is supposed to be done my mid 2014 which created the expectation that Mr. Assad would remain in office until at least then. Although Mr. Assad has seemed to be credible thus far, he is still being held responsible for what happened and all the suffering Syrians. A big milestone has taken place but no Syrians have been brought relief. United Nations officials have visited all of Syria’s 41 facilities except for two due to the fact they were not safe. Currently there is no more inspection activities planned.

Clearly Mr. Assad is attempting to regain some sort of credibility. Although they claim that they are not following through on their word because of threat, they are still allowing the chemical weapons to be destroyed without ruckus. This is a very big milestone complete for Syria but much is still to be done for the Syrian people. The United Nations cannot forget the bigger picture here. This all started because of the innocent men, women, and children that were killed. There definitely needs to be focus on destroying of the chemical weapons in Syria’s possession but there needs to be just as much focus on the Syrian people as well. Thousands of people are in need of aid. This job will not be complete until the suffering Syrian people are helped.   

Article:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/01/world/middleeast/syria.html?ref=syria 

Blog 8 Polio in Syria

Brittany Brooks

10/30/13

Blog #8

1:52

The World Health Organization announced Tuesday that there have been ten confirmed cases of children with polio in Syria. Health officials are currently trying to spread the word and warn of the significant risk of the highly infectious disease spreading now that there are confirmed cases. On top of the ten confirmed cases there are 12 children suffering from paralysis associated with polio that are awaiting test results. That means that that thousands more are likely to be infected because just 1 in 200 of those who contract the disease actually show symptoms. The two and half year long conflict in Syria has created optimal conditions for the spread of communicable diseases which are therefore devastating the countries health care system. Health workers are warning that the unsanitary conditions that millions for Syrians are living in are breeding grounds for diseases, such as polio, which are transmitted through contaminated food and water supply. The even larger issue arises when there are as many as 4,000 refugees fleeing the country every day the risk of spreading the disease becomes very serious. “This isn’t a Syria problem; this is a Middle Eastern problem, which is going to require a massive multi-country response”. The response to this problem is already underway. Seven countries in the region including Syria have launched emergency programs to vaccinate 20 million children over the next two months, with follow up rounds in the most at risk areas. These cases that have been confirmed in Syria are the first cases they have had in the past 14 years.

The polio outbreak in Syria is becoming an extremely serious problem. This is adding to the massive amounts of destruction that Syria is already facing. Thankfully, they have already put a plan into action to try and stop this outbreak as soon as possible. Syria is only seems to be getting worse and worse as time goes on. Even doctors are fleeing the country due to lack of supplies. It is so crucial for not only Syria but also Middle Eastern countries to take this polio outbreak serious and try to vaccinate as many children as they can as soon as possible. Syria has a long way to go before they will ever be able to get back to any form of “normalcy”. There is still so much to be done in order to help restore Syria as a country and help restore the physical, mental, and emotional health and lives of the Syrian people.

Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/who-confirms-polio-outbreak-in-syria/2013/10/29/a03c3010-40b8-11e3-b028-de922d7a3f47_story.html   

Blog #7 Terrorist Attack in Syria

Brittany Brooks

Syria blog #7

10/24/13

11:00 am

On Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated a truck filled with propane tanks at a crowded military check point in central Syria. The bomb killed more than 30 people, most of them being civilians. This was the second attack in two days that has been associated with Al Qaeda. The attack ignited dozens of cars and sent up a column of smoke visible for miles around. They believe that Nursa Front was responsible for the attack. He is one of the two Qaeda affiliates fighting alongside the rebels that want to topple President Bashar as-Assad. This bombing followed a similar attack that killed 16 soldiers east of Damascus just the day before. They believe that there is an increasing resilience on suicide attacks to try to break the government strongholds that the rebels are unable to take be conventional means. With the rise of extremists groups it is becoming more and more difficult to put an end to the civil war happening in Syria. Already more than 100,000 people have killed in Syria in the past two and half years of conflict. Many countries around the world are still pushing for peace talks to be held regarding Syria.

How is this constant war and terror ever going to come to an end in Syria at the fast rate that it is still raising?  The country is already in a civil war and now there is a rise in terrorist attacks associated with Al Qaeda. What is going to be done to out an end to this constant terror? The United Nations has intervened with the chemical weapons and civil war issues but it does not seem as though they have intervened with these terrorist attacks yet. Do they have a plan to bring down Al Qaeda and put a stop to all of this terror happening within Syria? The big question seems to be, will Syria ever be a peaceful nation again or will their citizens have to fear for the rest of their lives?

 

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/world/middleeast/syria.html?ref=syria

Blog 6 Disposal of Chemical Weapons in Syria Progress

Brittany Brooks

Blog

10/17/13

8:18 pm

The organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has reached 11 of Syria’s 20 sites. They have been able to verify the contents and destroy equipment at six of the locations. They are working with the United Nations to dismantle Syria’s toxic arsenal because of a resolution that was anonymously approved last month. Before that President Obama had threatened military strikes against Syria because of the August 21 chemical attacks near Damascus that killed hundreds of people. At the United Nations, the Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, announced that he had appointed Sigrid Kaag to lead the joint mission in Syria which must oversee the destruction of the Syrian arsenal by the middle of 2014. Sigrid Kaag is a career diplomat that is fluent in five languages including Arabic. Ms. Kaag is a native of the Netherlands and is an assistant secretary general at the United General at the United Nations Development Program. She has also held many other positions since 2004.

It seems to be that Syria has complied thus far with turning over their sites with chemical weapons. Will they continue to be compliant when their chemical weapons are all destroyed? Do they believe they were in the wrong or are they going along with all of this so they do not face the consequences such as the United States forcing military action upon them? Once this is all said and done will Syria be a safe place to live again or will the native Syrians never return? These are all such important questions for Syria. Ms. Kaag seems to be a very qualified person for making sure that this job with Syria get completed in a timely matter.   

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/world/middleeast/disposal-of-chemical-arms-in-syria-progresses.html?ref=syria&_r=0

Blog #5 Has Syria been cooperative on Weapons?

Brittany Brooks 

10/10/13

8:10 pm

On Wednesday the head of the international watchdog overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal said that a team of 15 investigators had begun to visit sites and that the Syrian authorities have been “quite constructive” and “cooperative”. The Unites States and Russia agreed on completing the work by mid-2014. Meeting this deadline would depend on whether temporary cease fires could be arranged between government and opposition forces. Mr. Uzumcu, the director of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, believes this goal can be reached if there is cooperation by all parties. Inspectors, supported by the United Nations, have already visited one site and are set to visit another on Wednesday. They are planning on visiting a total of 20 in upcoming weeks. These sites are the ones that have been identified by the Syrian government in a preliminary inventory of its chemical weapons program presented to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons last month. American officials said last month that at least 45 sites were linked to Syria’s chemical weapons program. However the state department declined to say whether the decision by international inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons visiting 20 sites meant that Syria had not declared many of its chemical facilities. American officials have said that although the Syrian government’s preliminary inventory was more extensive than anticipated, it was not complete. The Syrian government is to submit a more formal declaration by October 27^th which will be scrutinized for holes. Diplomats believe this will show them how serious Syria is about the matter.

How serious is Syria about getting this chemical weapons issue taken care of? Are they willing to do what they are being asked to do? The goal is to have all the sites looked at and taken care of by the middle of 2014. They have already started looking at these sites. However officials believe that Syria is not being completely honest and detailed about all their chemical weapons sites. They have a few more weeks to finish and submit a more formal declaration. This time if officials will be looking for the holes and what they choose to leave out. This is Syria’s chance to attempt to make things right. They have the opportunity to show the world that they are willing to do what they need to do so that Syria is not looked at as a threat anymore to their own people. 

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-weapons.html?ref=syria&_r=0

Blog #4 Syrians Seeking Asylum

Brittany Brooks
10/4/13
3:52
Currently many Syrians are trying to escape Syria and are seeking asylums in Britain. Today, Friday, a migrant association in northern France said that several dozen Syrians were in standoff with security forces in the French port of Calais. Two of the Syrian men were threatening to jump off the ferry terminal roof in a protest effort to receive their asylum request in Britain. Galisson, who is the coordinator of migrant services, said that about 60 Syrians who had fled the conflict in Syria, have been occupying a gangway at the Calais ferry terminal.When the police were told to put an end to this is when it when south and the men were threatening to jump. After these threats the police retreated and attempted to negotiate with these men when the British border officials were on their way to help find a resolution. Mr. Galisson made the comment, "they have not had a warm welcome into France and so would prefer to go to Britain." These men from Syria had been living in an abandoned storage place until they were evicted by the French police. They feel as though the French have treated them horribly and have been harassing them instead of helping them find a solution. It could take up to 18 months to receive an asylum in France but only half the time in Britain. Many Syrian men, women, and children are traveling to neighboring countries trying to find refugees and get the help that they need.
After all that the people in Syria have had to face and what they are still currently facing, why are neighboring countries rejecting those in need. It seemed like the United Nations was currently trying to come up with a solution to the Syria problem but instead I feel like it is getting worse. Where is the aid money that has been collected for those effected by this tragedy? Is it being used in ways that can be truly helpful to those that need it. Although some Syrians that have escaped and gone to other countries may be using force and violence, that could be changed if they felt as though they were welcomed and that countries wanted to help get them to safety. These people have hit a point of desperation. Is Britain going to reach out and help those effected by the hostility of France? Are countries going to step in and really try to help make the changes that need to be made or just hope someone else does it? Syria, and the people of Syria need the world's help. Who will do it?

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/05/world/europe/syrians-asylum.html?ref=syria&_r=0

Blog #3 United Nations feels as though they are close to a resolution.

Brittany Brooks
Soc-03
9/26/13
11:20 am

The United Nations is claiming that after months they are finally close to a resolution for the Syria issue. Two diplomats have said, “We have reached a consensus on the broad elements, including a “reference” to sanctions should Syria fail to comply with its obligations.” They also said that the resolution would include language to hold the perpetrators of the chemical attack accountable. They claim, “We’re close, we’re quite close. It will be clear what Syria needs to do.” Russia and the United Stated have disagreed over whether this resolution would fall under Chapter seven of the United Nations Charter. If it was to fall under this it would authorize the Security Council to enforce it with sanctions or eve military force. Although there are diplomats stating that they are very close to a resolution and that it will be soon, there is Russia who feels completely different. A spokesman for the Russian mission at the United Nations feels as though the parties have not yet reached an agreement on Syria and that it was “wishful thinking”. The Secretary General’s office and foreign ministries have discussed how quickly they can schedule a peace conference to be held in Geneva. There has been $900 million in aid pledges for those in Syria that have been facing crisis and those in the neighboring countries. There is an estimated seven million Syrians who are in need of help and half of those are children. Humanitarian aid is not getting though and there is a push currently for that to change.

It has been made clear that the United Nations feels as though they are making progress with the Syria situation and are close to a resolution. However, Russia feels the exact opposite. Will these differentiating feeling prevent a resolution from being made? There are millions of people in Syria and neighboring countries that need help and need a decision to be made. Russia seems to be uncomfortable with the decision that has been made because they do not want it to fall under chapter seven of the United Nations Charter. Russia is still very opposed to having any form of military action taken against Syria at any point. Although a peaceful resolution is trying to be made first it is confusing to why Russia is so opposed to it. Does Russia really have Syria’s best interests at heart? Why is Russia the only country that seems to be so opposed to the resolution that the United Nations has come up with. However, despite how long it take the United Nations and Russia to agree on a plan there are millions of people in need of aid. There is 9 million dollars of aid that is waiting to be used. It is important that the needs of Syria’s people and the people affected by this tragedy in neighboring countries are being placed first in this decision.

Article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/world/middleeast/west-says-un-nears-syria-resolution.html?ref=syria&_r=0  

Blog #2 Latest Crisis in Syria

Brittany Brooks

11:20 am

9/19/13

Blog #2

On Tuesday the Obama administration explained to congress their strategy for eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons. John Kerry briefed the senate of foreign relations committee on the chemical weapons plan that was ironed out with Russia. Moscow insisted that the United Nations must not support the idea of the United States carrying out the military strikes in the event that diplomacy fails. Russia is blaming the rebels for this attack last month but the Unites States and its European and Arab allies are saying that Mr. Assad’s forces were responsible. Mr. Kerry however planned to update the senate members of the details of the agreement with Russia and he was going to try to build support for it. Despite the new plan that Russia has come up with, President Obama and his national security team have continued to stress the importance of maintaining a credible military threat. People are becoming challenged on whether the United States and Russia should be working together. Senator Richard Blumenthal accused Russian banks of financing Mr. Assad’s government through two and half years of conflict. More than 100,000 people have been killed. The senator believes that the administration should freeze Russian bank assets in the United States and put travel bans on employees. “This is a pressure that we ought to be exerting”, Mr. Blumenthal said. He and three other senators sent a bipartisan letter to the Treasury Secretary demanding action against Russian financial institutions that are allowing Mr. Assad to “continue military purchases and pay the soldiers that sustain the war in Syria.” 

            The question arises, should the Unites states be concerned about the Russians? Can we really trust that they are being honest and are truly wanting to put an end to Syria’s chemical weapons? So many people and government officials here in the United States seem to be very torn about the matter. Some want to believe that Russia can be trusted and that we can leave the issue up to Russia and the United Nations to handle. Others however, feel the exact opposite of that. They want Obama to continue on with his plan of intervening with Syria. These people want Obama to stay true to his military threat to Syria. What is the right choice? So many people are split on their feelings. Should the Unites States go in and try to save the day once again or let Russia have time to try and fix this in a non-violent way. Many Senators are pushing to have action taken against Russia’s financial institutions because they feel as though they cannot be trusted. As a country we may never have the truth to who is implementing the attacks on Syria, whether or not Russia is involved or aiding those attacks, or whether Russia can truly be trusted. At this point all that can be done is letting the cards unfold how they are going to unfold. However, no matter what move president Obama chooses to make at this point, there is an ongoing chance that this country may face consequences either way now that we are involved.

 

Article: http://projects.nytimes.com/live-dashboard/syria

Blog #1 Syria will give up control of chemical weapons

Brittany Brooks 

9/12/13

2:04 pm 

Syria’s President, Bashar al-Assad, supposedly said that Syria will cede control of their chemical weapons to the international community. The statement seemed to be the Presidents first acknowledgement of the countries chemical weapons. He made a point to say that this decision had not been prompted by the US military threats but instead by the Russian diplomatic efforts. However, this interview has yet to air on television. Assad also said that Syria would submit documents to the United Nations for an agreement governing the handover of its chemical arsenal. The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has said that the “initiative will not succeed unless Washington abandons plans for potential air strikes to punish Assad for a poison gas attack on 21 August which the US president, Barack Obama, blames on Syrian government force.” Syria does claim to not be behind the attack, but also has agreed to Moscow’s proposal to give up their chemical weapons stock.     

In meetings that are planned to be held at the end of this week, Kerry is expected to ask Moscow to come up with a credible plan to quarantine and destroy Syria’s chemical weapons. Kerry will be taking a US chemical weapons expert along with him to expand the Russian ideas for safely destroying the weapons.

Putin also commented for an article in the New York Times welcoming Obama's consideration for the Russian-backed plan for Syria to hand over its chemical weapons and said that his relationship with the president was marked by “growing trust”. However, he did warn that “It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become a commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it.” The White house does feel though that Russia is going to be trustworthy at this point.

The big question now arises, will Russia be trustworthy enough to hold up on their side or the deal, and will Syria keep their promise to turn over their chemical weapons? At this point it is a risk that the US must be willing to take unless wanting to start another war. The United States still seems to stand much divided on whether or not we, as a country, should even be involved in another countries war. The citizens of the United States are not the only people who feel that way. The Russian president publicly stated. “It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it”. It raises the concern that people all over the world are starting to believe the United States is being intrusive. The concerns about Syria and what is taking place needed to be addressed but was it really the United Sates job to handle it ourselves. As long as Russia can truly convince Syria to turn over chemical weapons they have then proven to find a solution to this issue in a non-violent and un-harmful way.   

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/12/bashar-al-assad-syria-chemical-weapons