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Why Obama, UN Can't Fully Trust Assad on Chemical Weapons in Syria
(Christian Science Monitor) Daniel DePetris - Recent history suggests that the Assad regime will not live up to any agreements with the UN unless there are repercussions for stonewalling or obstruction. The destruction of Syria's chemical weapons depends upon the full cooperation and transparency of the Assad regime - a government that has flouted every single agreement that it has signed with regional mediators throughout the two-and-a-half-year conflict. During that time, Assad has shown a willingness to violate agreements almost as soon as his regime signs them. Unless the UN Security Council or the U.S. itself is willing to enforce the Kerry-Lavrov deal with accountability and the threat of repercussions if and when Syria drags its heels or fails to fully uphold its obligations, the chances that Assad will act like a responsible statesman are low.