New U.S. and Allies' Plan to Punish Perpetrators of Chemical Attacks

Following new reports of a suspicious chemical attack in Syria, the United States and 28 other countries have launched a new initiative to identify and punish anyone who uses chemical weapons. This action was announced on Tuesday, January 23, in Paris, where U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was set to meet informally with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian and diplomats from several other countries. According to the Associated Press, this group aims to release information regarding chemical attacks and to punish and sanction those responsible. Efforts by the United Nations to punish chemical offenders in Syria have repeatedly faced obstruction from Russia and have failed. In this context, human rights activists and rescue teams report that the Syrian government used a suspicious toxic gas on Monday, January 22, in a rebel-controlled area near Damascus, affecting around 20 civilians. The Syrian government has consistently denied using chemical weapons. Regarding the overall U.S. strategy for Syria, Western and Arab diplomats report that Rex Tillerson was also scheduled to participate in an official meeting in Paris on January 23 with Washington's close allies to outline the U.S. strategy for stabilizing Syria and finding a political solution to the Syrian issue. According to Reuters, a Middle Eastern diplomat stated that Tillerson is expected to soon publish an article regarding his country's strategy towards Syria. Tillerson announced this month that there is no specific timeline for the end of U.S. military presence in Syria, which will continue as part of a broader U.S. strategy to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) and to prepare conditions for the potential removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Recently, the U.S. Secretary of State called for 'patience' regarding Assad's departure from power; these remarks are the clearest indication from the U.S. that Russia and Iran's support has strengthened Assad to the point where the likelihood of his overthrow is currently low. Tillerson added that the U.S. strategy regarding Syria will focus on diplomatic efforts. Russia, a key supporter of Assad, is set to host a peace congress for Syria in Sochi from January 29 to 30. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, whose country has launched a military operation against Kurdish militants in northwestern Syria since Saturday, stated that he will participate in the Sochi meeting regarding chemical weapons but does not intend to engage in discussions about Washington's strategy towards Syria. A joint investigation by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirmed that the Syrian government used sarin gas against its citizens in April 2017 and has repeatedly used chlorine as a weapon. Syria agreed to eliminate all its chemical weapons in 2013 as part of an agreement between Russia and the United States. The Syrian government denies using chemical weapons. According to reports, Tillerson also attempted to persuade European allies to take a tougher stance on the nuclear agreement with Iran during his Paris visit. However, the Associated Press reports that Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed 'discontent' over this U.S. pressure and emphasized adherence to the principles of the nuclear agreement and commitment to the JCPOA. The U.S. Secretary of State stated on Monday, January 22, after meeting with British officials, that progress has been made in garnering European support for imposing tough and new sanctions against Iran, which could prevent the United States from exiting the JCPOA.