U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday the Syrian government may still be using chemical weapons against its own people following a suspected chlorine attack in a rebel enclave, and he said Russia bore ultimate responsibility.
Especially since Tillerson recently announced that America would remain involved in Syria post-ISIL in order to get rid of Assad.
Although maintaining the Obama red line on chemical weapons use is likely the only way America will use offensive power against Assad. This is a diplomatic effort as Tillerson's lead makes clear. As I noted before, the Kurds who provided the core anti-ISIL force could never be the force to overthrow Assad.
The only thing delaying a response could be the "may" modifier on the chemical attack source. If that changes, the missiles will fly again.
Assad agreed to get rid of his chemical weapons in 2013 with the help of the Russians backing the diplomatic effort. At the time it was called "Smart Diplomacy."
UPDATE: Tillerson gains says that Russia is responsible for preventing Assad from using chemical weapons.
Which is fair considering the Russians tricked Kerry (not a high degree of difficulty, I admit) into signing off on the 2013 chemical "disarmament" deal.
I imagine this is a warning to Russia that if they don't deal with Assad we will strike Assad's chemical delivery arsenal again.
