Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 07/2014

Making the Case: Dismissing the Major Critiques of Syria's Chemical Weapons Destruction

Mieke Eoyang, Aki Peritz, Ben Freeman, Faris Alikhan

September 2013

Third Way

Abstract

Our deal with Russia to destroy Syrian chemical weapons is a huge win for America since because it will help keep terrorists from acquiring these terrible weapons. Nevertheless, the deal has numerous skeptics: Some claim we can’t trust the Russians or the Syrians, others say we can’t destroy CW during a civil war, while others think we’re going to pay too much to implement this plan. So far, it appears the skeptics are wrong. While the destruction of Syria’s CW will be a challenge, it is one that we can—and should—meet.