Commentary: air strike will have lasting consequences... and lasting responsibilities for the West

The following article discusses the potential decision to carry out punitive strikes against the Assad regime will take America, Britain and their allies into uncharted territory.The strikes will have to be effective and sustained — not just pinpricks. With lasting consequences, they will bring lasting responsibilities, especially if it means the end of Assad and his military tyranny.

The principle on which action will be mounted is also clear. It comes under the Responsibility to Protect, adopted by the UN in 2005. Known as R2P it holds that action is authorised to stop a regime destroying, torturing and maltreating its own population.

The London Evening Standard 2013

The London Evening Standard is a quality daily newspaper, published in tabloid format in London, England. It is the regional evening paper for London and the southeast of England, with coverage of national and international news as well as topical features.The paper celebrates London and what living in London is all about. It reports the news and fights balanced campaigns on behalf of Londoners.