The search for evidence of chemical weapons in Syria is painstaking and hampered by harsh conditions, but could yield decisive findings as debate over military action intensifies, says expert Amy E. Smithson.

The government of the United Kingdom published its position on August 29, 2013, about the legality of military action in Syria after the chemical weapons attack in Damascus on August 21.

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."

In June, Hassan Rouhani was elected president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Rouhani ran as a reform candidate, and many have interpreted his victory as a harbinger of a possible liberalization or rationalization of Iranian domestic and foreign policy. But the dominant figure in Iranian politics is not the president but rather the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In my book Of Empires and Citizens, I argue that at the height of the period of authoritarian rule in the Middle East, Arab societies were divided between those people who benefited from their leaders' relationship with the United States, and therefore sought to preserve the dictatorships, and those who did not, and therefore sought democracy.

Ed Husain explains why Western intervention "will not change the tide of war in Syria," but will leave the United States responsible for instability in yet another Middle Eastern country.

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.

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.

CFR President Richard N. Haass discusses U.S. interests and options amidst reports of chemical weapons used by the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Micah Zenko responds to the New York Times Room for Debate blog question, "Is an Attack on Syria Justified?"

"Refugee camps are born of emergency and evolve into cities of dependency, bureaucracy, and static suffering. They rescue human beings, and then they warehouse them. They relieve the host country of the financial burden and diffuse it among the member states of the United Nations."

CFR President Richard N. Haass discusses U.S. interests and options amidst reports of chemical weapons used by the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

The Obama administration should use strikes to start talks in Syria, says Gayle Tzemach-Lemmon.

Secretary of State John Kerry gave these remarks on August 26, 2013, regarding U.S. response to evidence of chemical weapons use in Syria.

While much has been made of the uncertainty amid Egypt's political turmoil, one thing is clear: the participation of women is critical to Egypt's future.

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In light of chemical weapons attacks in Syria, Stewart Patrick explains why holding the line on their further use is essential to preserving the prohibition regime.

With the latest chemical-weapons attack in Syria, U.S. officials are talking about Obama's using military force, but with a diplomatic and humanitarian twist, writes Leslie H. Gelb.

"The Obama administration had a grand strategy in the Middle East. It was well intentioned, carefully crafted and consistently pursued. Unfortunately, it failed."

"Contrary to appearances, Germany is not simply receding ever deeper into itself. In fact, the Berlin Republic is quietly asserting itself and fleshing out its foreign policy. The unwillingness to act as France's cheerleader in the greater Mediterranean comes with the creeping recovery of self-confidence, and a desire to reposition itself vis-à-vis this historically French sphere of influence."

Jonathan Tepperman says Thailand's political compromises provide a good example for divided countries like Egypt, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.