Apparently an emboldened Assad has started laying down his own conditions for a chemical weapons deal. According to RIA and Interfax, citing an interview with Assad to air in its entirety later today on Rossia 24 TV, they are:
A chemical arms deal depends on US stopping aid to terrorists : Assad will complete the deal only if the US stops its “policy of threats”: Calls for Israel to dispose of its WMD: Rebels may use chemical weapons against Israel as provocation: Assad says implementation of the deal may take a month or more.
And now, his bluff called, we are back to Barack Obama.
Bob C