Op-Eds

Published opinions and arguments by CFR fellows and experts.

Chemical Weapons Are A Nightmare for Syrians

Author: Laurie Garrett
cnn.com

Laurie Garrett explains what makes sarin gas dangerous to humans and reviews the chemical's deadly history in this op-ed for CNN Opinion. She then discusses the potential political implications of sarin's usage in Syria, concluding that "the Assad regime is playing with regional fire."

See more in Syria; Wars and Warfare

Obama's Halfway Effort in Syria

Author: Elliott Abrams
National Review

Elliott Abrams says the problem with the Obama administration's probable reaction in Syria is that it does not seem likely to address real American security interests at stake or the growing humanitarian disaster, and instead focus narrowly on another: Assad's use of chemical weapons.

See more in Syria; Defense and Security

Moral Obscenity, Global Red Line

Author: Julia E. Sweig
Folha de Sao Paulo

Julia Sweig argues that, while skepticism of military intervention is reasonable in normal times, the use of chemical weapons in Syria has changed the goalposts and demands action from the world. In spite of its painful memories of U.S. intervention in its own recent history, Latin America should invoke the doctrine of Responsibility while Protecting, and partner with Western leaders as a source of humanitarian aid and refugee assistance.

See more in Syria; Latin America and the Caribbean; Politics and Strategy; Peace, Conflict, and Human Rights

Empty Promises

Author: Jerome A. Cohen
South China Morning Post

"Criminal justice has been the weakest link of China's legal system, which, despite constitutional and legislative protections of the right to defence, has in practice rarely allowed defendants adequate opportunity to question prosecution witnesses and rebut their claims," writes Jerome A. Cohen, with respect to Bo Xilai's trial.

See more in China; Rule of Law

The Pretenders

Author: Micah Zenko
Foreign Policy

"The illusory belief of America's ability" to effect foreign events leads to the assumption that "whenever or wherever things go wrong elsewhere on earth, it must be America's fault," according to Micah Zenko.

See more in United States; Global; Politics and Strategy