All Policy Analysis by Jeffrey White

If Washington and its allies decide to strike the Syrian regime in response to last week's chemical attack, they should strike hard, with the aim of achieving significant political and military effects.

If it becomes reasonably clear that the Assad regime was responsible for today's apparent chemical strikes, nothing less than direct military action will alter its calculus or prevent further massacres.

Given the regime's renewed offensive capabilities, delaying foreign military assistance any further is a recipe for more rebel defeats.

Hezbollah's commitment to the Syrian conflict will likely change the course of the war.