As direct military intervention has been ruled out for the UK by the Commons, we must turn to our non-military options to see how the UK can now push for peace and make an impact for the good in Syria.
The differences in opinion between the US and Russia have defined the G20 summit in St Petersburg, with the US ambassador accusing Russia of holding the UN Security Council “hostage” and shirking its international responsibilities by vetoing resolutions.
Aid agencies responding to the Syrian crisis are updating contingency plans and pre-positioning stocks, warning that any US-led military action against Syria could lead to an increase in humanitarian needs.
US President Barack Obama has won the backing of key political figures from across the aisle in the US for his plans for a military strike on Syria.
As the U.S. Congress prepares to debate military action against the Syrian regime, rebel commanders and fighters on the ground say that it would take a decisive strike to aid them in their fight.