Obama’s decision to arm the Syrian rebels will do little to address the Hezbollah threat

Two years too late and with less than full conviction President Obama has finally announced that his administration will aid the Syrian rebels with lethal force. This follows confirmation by the White House last night of what was already well known – that Bashar al-Assad has been using chemical weapons against his own people.

Obama’s intervention will be of limited utility. Supplying rebels with heavy arms and anti-aircraft missiles principally help civilians exposed to air raids and scud missile attacks, but will not help the rebels make significant gains.

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This might be precisely what Obama wants, but he will struggle to limit the extent of American involvement now. Having decided to back the rebels he cannot afford for them to lose, although that’s precisely what’s been happening in recent weeks. Assad’s forces have not only reclaimed Qusayr but are readying themselves for a massive assault on rebel held districts in eastern Aleppo.