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Syria confirms it has stockpiles of chemical weapons

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    How big of a threat is this to Israel?

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Back -- -- our top story today Syria confirming that it does have chemical weapons.

Claiming that it will not use those weapons on its own people but might use them.

On any foreign forces that interferes in its conflict that attacks Syria as it -- And according to the CIA over the last forty years Syria has amassed vast supplies of mustard gas Sarin nerve agent and cyanide.

A big chunk of these chemicals have been weaponized in artillery shells bombs and missiles giving Syria one of the world's largest stockpiles we believe chemical weapons.

The UN Secretary General now says he is quote very concerned that Syria may be tempted to use those weapons so where does that leave things now.

John Bolton is the former US ambassador to the United Nations and a Fox News contributor.

And in moments we'll also be joined by retired general Jack Keane who's a former vice chief of staff of the army and -- Fox News military analyst and that's a -- let me start with you.

So the Syrian government Syria Syrian regime is holding on.

And it seems to be telegraphing something you tell me to the United States perhaps to Israel perhaps about.

We're not gonna use these weapons against our people but if we get attacked.

Different story.

-- believe half of that statement I I still think it's very grave risk that they're faced with its potential.

Demise that the aside regime or some of its generals might well decide to use chemical weapons against the opposition I think they are serious about the threat.

On using them against that foreign forces as well.

But it's not just the inside Syria.

The risk of terrorists like al-Qaeda month.

The opposition forces getting access to these weapons or next door and live and -- has a lot worse spreading to other terrorist groups think it's very real and should be of enormous concern.

To the United States other NATO allies Israel really people around the world what.

Why why is that why we more concerned about Hezbollah getting its hands a chemical weapons and they are about -- we are about Syria having and I mean Syria.

It isn't that you know the same almost as has -- Well aides say it's it's a choice between two evils there's no doubt about it and I and I think this is one of the reasons why.

We ought to be very clear to Russia China and Iran.

That that they should exercise every bit of their influence particularly Russia and China.

To tell aside that is that he he should not use these weapons under any circumstances but I also think.

We need real advance planning.

As to how to secure or monitor or destroy those weapons in place and actually.

-- my fears go beyond chemical weapons I think there's every reason to think Syria has at least.

A research and development program and biological weapons.

And I think there's every reason to believe that Iran and Syria working together.

Have additional nuclear facilities beyond that reactor that was destroyed by Israel in 2000 -- that this is a very broad problem.

The stakes are big that's obvious general -- let me ask you.

That that Syria comes out says don't worry we're not gonna use these chemical weapons against our own people we we would never do that this is the same at the same government that.

Is massacring -- now the numbers are up to 171000 of its own people and this includes women children.

Babies the reports out today that they lined up a bunch of teenagers hands behind the back and shot them one guy had eighteen bullet holes in them.

Somewhere in their could jam -- I mean.

This is the government that we're out all right they're not gonna use the chemical weapons on their own people what how much stock are we supposed to put in that.

I would put no stock -- -- -- -- I think we should make the assumption that they probably would use these weapons against their own people the reason why the weapons of that to begin with.

Megan is to guarantee the preservation of the regime.

And they -- back on the heels right now because the rebels about a major offensive taken place.

In the regime stronghold Damascus and also a -- -- and all also out on the border.

I'm I'm convinced that as of not matter of desperation.

These generals on the -- Would use these weapons we have to make that assumption of put that into our planning factors as as would -- with the final days of this region.

Last week the reports were that the United States and Israel were talking about possibly.

Possibly Israel going into Syria and securing those chemical weapons and the reports -- that the United States.

Objected to that because we didn't want to give Syria and other reason to hate the west and caused more conflict in the world.

What should we be doing general -- Well I believe right now.

Israel and the United States defense departments and also the CIA -- -- working hand in glove with this this issue.

And I'm also convinced that they're out there working detailed plans on whether they should be preemption.

That's you know the worst parts of the use of a chemical weapons that they had very good intelligence they're gonna use it.

-- what to do when the regime collapses and that's either sees it or destroy it.

-- -- Not very well known as we did go in the Libya and secure the residue of chemical weapons -- -- had and also secured.

Those man pads -- fired missiles and aircraft type.

When that regime collapse or are people know what to do here the challenge we have is -- miss the the chemical sites are extensive.

And there's thousands of tons of of this material.

So it's not going to be an operation and we would do overnight but the -- -- of that I'm convinced our our ongoing as we speak.

So we tried it ambassador Bolton once again to go through the UN last week and just get them to threaten sanctions with a resolution.

And Russia and China said now you know when our president met with Russian president Vladimir -- This was not high on the priority list -- we -- we extracted no meaningful concessions but is the UN completely useless to us on this.

But it was a fool's errand from the beginning and I think -- -- administration.

Bears a heavy share of responsibility.

For wasting time on Kofi Annan's peace mission wasting time on the idea that Russia and China.

Would agree with us that the aside regime had to go.

And wasting time on not pressuring Russia to take the necessary steps to break.

Their alliance with serious so so were really well behind -- the political and diplomatic front.

I think it's why it's so important now to say the Russians in in words of one syllable.

You need to do whatever you can and we believe your influence.

Is substantial to make sure aside does not.

Use the chemical weapons and and makes it available to secure them if there were even if the regime looks like it's fallen want to shift.

Years before I would say -- by -- talk about what we saw in Iraq today.

More than 100 at least 106 people killed.

In what they're describing as the deadliest day in more than two years they were coordinated attacks across fifteen city's general -- Does it marked a resurgence of al-Qaeda there.

Yup pretty much so Megan I mean.

Al-Qaeda has been -- and its infrastructure back safe uses safe houses a logistical infrastructure.

They've been working on this for about eighteen months.

We've had a couple large scale attacks in the last six months they they really are at the doorstep of -- -- Qaeda so there.

They may not be back to where they were in 2005.

And 2006.

Particularly on their way back and what's the take away on that.

Well the fact of the matter is is that.

We gave up an awful lot of influence in Iraq when we walked out of there and left no troops there.

-- -- we lost our -- we lost our ears and that's it that's the reality of it we still have some agency people there and we still have a very limited account a terrorist.

Operation there but it's very limited compared -- what we would have had if we kept -- troops there that are commanders one -- -- -- General keen investor Bolton -- -- so much.

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