A STEP BACK FROM THE BRINK?

No, unlike the radio gasbags, I don't think an attack on Syria would have been a replay of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand but it would have been bad enough, both domestically and internationally.

Russia plan on Syria arms may be 'breakthrough': Obama

AFP Stephen Collinson 2 hours ago

President Barack Obama said a Russian plan to head off threatened US strikes on Syria by securing a deal to destroy the regime's chemical weapons could be a "significant breakthrough."

Obama warned Monday he had not taken military strikes off the table but, in agreeing to consider the Russian initiative, he effectively pushed back the timetable for possible action.

Iran's foreign ministry spokeswoman also welcomed Russia's plan.

Marzieh Afgham told a media conference in Tehran that the proposal should include the destruction of chemical weapons in the hands of rebel groups fighting to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.