Was A Failed Assad Assassination Attempt The Reason Why A Chemical Weapons Strike Was Ordered?

Free Syrian Army fighters escort a convoy of U.N. vehicles carrying a team of chemical weapons experts to one of the sites of an alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus' suburb of Zamalka on Wednesday. Bassam Khabieh / Reuters

Assad Assassination Attempt May Have Prompted Chemical Weapons Strike -- NBC

The United States is looking into whether a failed assassination attempt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have motivated last week’s deadly chemical weapons attack against rebel-held enclaves outside Damascus.

U.S. officials said Tuesday that the possibility that an Aug. 8 assassination attempt on Assad prompted him or a senior official in his regime to order the use of chemical weapons last week against towns in the suburban district of Ghouta is a “working theory that analysts are looking at.”

“It’s at the very least plausible,” said one official, who like the others spoke on condition of anonymity.

Salim Idris, commander of the Free Syrian Army, said sources in Assad’s inner circle tell him that’s exactly what happened.

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My Comment: This is a plausible theory. Coupled this with the fact that over a hundred thousand have been killed, 250,000 wounded, millions displaced .... everyone is starting to go crazy .... some more than others. The idea that some Syrian commanders, senior leaders, or even Assad himself .... would order such a chemical attack without thinking of the consequences is not farfetched .... if anything .... I have to wonder why it has taken so long.