Re: UN Human Rights Council says Syria gas attack videos, photos fake
That report is overwhelmingly damning of pro-government forces. Pretty much all the massacres are attributed to Assad's forces. The rebels are accused only of some mortars and rockets being used without sufficient discretion, particularly in an attack against a Hezbollah headquarters.
None of the reports suggest that the Syrian government is responsible for the 'overwhelming' share of violations of civilian protections. The latest report suggests that both parties have engaged in "widespread attacks" on civilians.
For the 1/15/2013-5/15/2013 period:
Anti-government armed groups have also committed war crimes, including murder, sentencing and execution without due process, torture, hostage-taking and pillage. They continue to endanger the civilian population by positioning military objectives in civilian areas. The violations and abuses committed by anti-government armed groups did not, however, reach the intensity and scale of those committed by government forces and affiliated militia.
For the 5/15/2013-7/15/2013 period:
Government and pro-government forces have continued to conduct widespread attacks on the civilian population, committing murder, torture, rape and enforced disappearance as crimes against humanity.
It is not accurate to "sanitize" the anti-Assad movement, as Senator McCain has repeatedly done. This movement, like the dictatorship, is brutal. There is also no concrete evidence that it has any democratic aspirations whatsoever. The brutality on both sides is, unfortunately, consistent with what one witnesses in ethnic conflicts, where differences are fundamental, the appetite for political compromise is lacking, and each party dehumanizes its opponent.
U.S. interests would not materially benefit no matter the outcome in the war. On one side, is a relatively unfriendly authoritarian government. On the other, is a movement that has incorporated Al Qaeda and other extremists into its ranks. Therefore, neither side deserves American assistance and, at least IMO, the U.S. arms assistance being provided to one of the warring parties is not helpful. If anything, it has contributed to a flow of arms that has raised the intensity of the conflict. The more intense conflict has elevated the civilian toll.
The removal of Syria's chemical weapons, if the agreement is fulfilled, would probably make the largest contribution to American interests, as well as those of strategic regional allies. Hopefully, the agreement will be fully implemented.