Stall or Capitulation in Syria?

The Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad has announced its agreement to a proposal to sign the treaty banning chemical weapons and to allow destruction of its stocks of nerve gas and mustard gas.  This proposal, advanced by the Russians at the last minute based on an apparently offhand remark by Secretary of State Kerry, has turned the situation in Syria on its head.

The opposition movement in Syria is sorely disappointed by the delay in American military strikes on the government.  They view the proposal as a delaying tactic that will allow the government to avoid punishment for the deaths of over 1,000 innocent people.  Outsiders, however, are mostly relieved that the prospect of more violence has been belayed.

On close examination, the actual work of identifying, isolating, and eventually destroying these weapons is daunting, especially during a civil war.  Who will step forward to do this work and who will protect the workers with military force?  The thought of Russian soldiers doing the protecting suggests a subtle double cross that could be worked if the Russians themselves are not supervised.

It is clear that the proposal is a stalling tactic, but it is such a welcome alternative to violence that it cannot be rejected at this time.  Military action can always be prepared at a later time if needed.