Western powers discuss intervention in Syria

The Obama administration and its allies and international partners have
begun serious discussions about potential military involvement in Syria,
even as they continue to press for non-violent solutions to the carnage
there, the Washington Post reports.
With little progress made in the two weeks since 70 countries and
international institutions pledged in Tunisia to concentrate their efforts on
humanitarian and diplomatic fronts, there is a growing willingness to
consider additional options.
The Western powers are reviewing such possibilities as directly arming
opposition forces, sending troops to guard a humanitarian corridor or “safe
zone” for the rebels, or an air assault on Syrian air defenses, according
to officials from the United States and other nations opposed to Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad.
At the same time, the governments remain deeply divided over the scope of
any intervention, its dates and list of participants. With Russia still
opposed to the UN mandate, many question the legitimacy of any military
options under international law.