I still haven't heard the legal basis or the actual objectives of a Syrian strike [View all]

[morningfog]

I have yet to hear anyone articulate the legal justifications for striking Syria. Under what international framework would it be legal? I am not talking about under US law.

I have also yet to hear the actual objectives. What is the end goal in this military adventure? How is it determined when it is reached?

No one in the Administration has said the goal is regime change. None have said the goal is ending the civil war or even tipping the balance. The objective, as presented, is an ill-defined, amorphous, open-ended goal, to degrade and deter the use of weapons of mass destruction. One missile hitting one plane could qualify as degrading the ability. But, a months long bombing campaign may not deter future use. We know that the weapons cannot be destroyed or secured without ground troops.

I'd like to hear what the actual objectives are and how bombings would serve that end.