Given the many times Assad has gassed opponents, in the recent past, if the “United States Assessment of the Assad Regime’s Chemical Weapons Use” is even, say, 1/4 correct, it would appear that as implied by that document, Assad is “staggering” (my word) toward a temporary finish line, and would have a great deal of difficulty “finishing off” the rebels without the use of chem weapons.
I had previously thought Assad’s actions were largely based in sadism plus a need to strike fear — perhaps taking away the chemical weapons option would hamper his current ops more than you think (and I previously thought)?
” perhaps taking away the chemical weapons option would hamper his current ops more than you think (and I previously thought)?”
That’s an interesting possibility. but the numbers that have been killed by gas are apparently not large in most cases, and seem to have been mostly women, children and elderly villagers rather than groups of actual arms-bearing fighters. Thus, it appears to me that the gas is more of a terror tactic than a military one, and i wonder if it’ll have the desired effect of weakening “rebel” resolve ... historically, terror attacks on the families of fighters usually has an effect opposite than the intended weakening of resolve, instead strengthening resolve and the desire for revenge ... so even though Assad may believe he needs to use gas, it may be counterproductive ... nonetheless, the fact that he may believe he needs to use gas could indeed indicate the precarious nature of his position.