The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons. “Today’s historic resolution is the first hopeful news on Syria in a long time,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sept. 27 following the Security Council’s vote. “For many months, I have said that the confirmed use of chemical weapons in Syria would require a firm, united response. Tonight, the international community has delivered,” said Ban. Resolution 2018 calls for “the expeditious destruction of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons program and stringent verification thereof,” according to a UN release. It underscores that “no party in Syria should use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain, or transfer chemical weapons.” In the event of non-compliance by any party in Syria, the UN could take action, including sanctions or stronger coercive measures, states the release. UN-led weapons inspections are slated to begin in Syria not later than Oct. 1, states a Security Council release. The resolution also endorsed the plan for a Syrian-led diplomatic process to end the Syria conflict. Ban said an international peace conference could convene in November toward that end. (See also Obama Asks Congress to Delay Syria Vote.)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.