How Can The U.S. Supply Syria's Rebels With Weapons When They Cannot Even Supply Them With Promised Non-Lethal Aid

More than 500,000 people have already taken refuge in neighbouring countries. (UNHCR/B Sokol)

Never Mind The Guns, Half of Syria's 'Non-Lethal' Aid Is Stuck On U.S. Shelves -- The Cable/Foreign Policy

Lost in last week's news that the Obama administration would begin to provide direct military aid to the Syrian opposition was the fact that about half of the non-lethal aid promised months ago has still not arrived.

That's raised some question as to how long it will take any new military aid to reach the fractured country.

Administration officials acknowledge that only some of the aid promised the Syrian opposition this spring has arrived in the country. They cite Congressional notifications, the need to vet recipients on the other end, and the more mundane necessity to obtain and then ship the supplies they plan to send as the hold up.

Gear like vehicles, medical supplies, communications equipment and night vision goggles - all key to helping to give the Syrian military opposition the upper hand once again - are all part of the assistance plan.

The State Deparment is working with the Syrian Opposition Coalition and the Syrian Military Coalition on the aid but that there isn't any specific timeline, a spokesman for State told FP. "The process can take from several weeks to several months," he said.

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My Comment: While delays in shipping aid to Syrian refugees is unfortunate .... considering the situation it is understandable. After-all .... what will be even more unfortunate is if these groups become the beneficiaries of this assistance.