US confirmation that chemical weapons have likely been used in Syria gives the Obama administration a new opening to press Russia to support UN Security Council condemnation of the Assad government, but is unlikely to lead to direct US military intervention in the Syrian civil war.
US Considers Next Steps in Syria
![U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks with reporters after reading a statement on chemical weapon use in Syria during a news conference in Abu Dhabi April 25, 2013. Hagel on Thursday said the U.S. intelligence community believes the Syrian government has used sarin gas on a small scale against rebels trying to overthrow the government of Bashar al-Assad. REUTERS/Jim Watson/Pool (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXYZQ8](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTXYZQ8.jpg/1-RTXYZQ8.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=HvlgldQi)
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