If confirmed this would make Assad PNG throughout the Arab world. Then the real issue is that Turkey has an Islamist government, Egypt has its own problems, as do Libya, Tunisia and Iraq, Israel won't intervene because it's not in its interests, Lebanon is suffering the proxy effects of Syria, Iran supports Assad and so on. In an ideal world, Turkey would be the playmaker. As it is we're going to have to -blam!-ing hope that the use of what is quite possibly sarin galvanises enough support amongst the Turks for intervention, stabilisation and encouraging a stable liberal democracy. Democracy in isolation just doesn't work very well, the bulwark system that the EU goes for really does work best along borders. If Turkey can reach a point where it spreads democracy across its borders then we're doing damn well. Lebanon suffers too much Syrian interference to really work and Israel suffers similar problems to Turkey. Of course, the real issue here is the French and Germans. We Brits can just about help out staging from Akrotiri and Dhekelia, but we're fairly stretched as it is and our Eurofighters don't have air-to-ground capabilities yet I don't think. Taking out Syrian SAM batteries and the Syrian air force wouldn't quite be doable just from Cyprus though, you need Turkey's bases to do that.

I'm fairly certain an international coalition would be able to form if need be. The Gulf Arabs would obviously be involved, I'm also pretty confident that Turkey, Jordan and several NATO states would be involved too. I'm not sure about British bases in the region. Where would you Euro guys be able to deploy from? Obviously the coalition would be able to use Turkey if they are involved, but is there anywhere else besides Cyprus? What do you think about Russia also urging for a UN inspection of the Damascus suburbs? Also, what's PNG?

I just named the two bases. :P Britain has two on Cyprus we haven't given back to the Cypriots. Persona non grata. Well, it's be worth investigating and it'd help give conclusive evidence - whether they're well developed, source of the weapons and likelihood that it was the rebels nicking some or whatever. It's a delaying tactic by the Russians, but it's a good tactic.

[quote]I just named the two bases. :P Britain has two on Cyprus we haven't given back to the Cypriots.[/quote]Do you think this hypothetical coalition would be able to use Jordanian territory and airspace? I think that would be a viable option as well as using Turkish territory and airspace.