Now that I've had a chance to think it over, I have concluded that so far Obama has handled the Syria situation remarkably well. After Syria used NBC weapons in March, he had to draw a red line to stop them from using them again. It was essential to do something, not only for humanitarian reasons and pressure from our Sunni allies in the region, but to make sure future US demands about NBC weapons directed at others would be credible. Iran and N Korea are watching,

When the Syrians called his bluff, he prepared for war, but the Congress and the American people clearly don't want any part of that, and he has little (public) international support. His hands were tied, and rightly so. If he were to employ force now it would be an impeachable offense, and I would reluctantly have to vote for conviction. Presidents should not have the authority to unilaterally declare war except under circumstances of direct and imminent threat. This is not one of them.

Holding no good cards, Obama has been playing a very weak hand extremely well, improvising as he goes along, but has still managed to make remarkable progress. The Syrians and their allies have already made astounding admissions and concessions. Of course, there is no practical way to ensure and verify a chemical disarmament of Syria, even if Assad were sincere about doing so, but American interests will still be served if Syria never uses those weapons again, which now seems possible, if not likely. The humanitarian goal is achieved, and American credibility for future reprises of this situation is preserved. That would be a great victory for us.

Of course, Obama's critics will call him weak and indecisive, while denying him the one option that can allow him to act decisively, even if he never exercises it. If he had acted without asking for Congressional approval, he would have been attacked from Left, Right and abroad, by friend and foe alike. (At least, in public). If he strikes Syria without approval he will most likely be impeached--and deservedly so. And any strike can do little of practical value but allow the US to save face, even though it may cost him his Presidency.

There's no telling how this will turn out, and there's no way of knowing what we should do next, or what we should have done before to avoid this dilemma. Its no accident that Obama's critics on this board have been remarkably silent during this crisis, only you, Bowser, has taken a stand. I don't agree with it, but I respect your having stuck your neck out.

As for Obama's critics in the nation, there's nothing he could have done that would have met with their approval, nothing he can do now that they will support, and no resolution of this crisis that will satisfy them. So screw 'em.