How do western powers help resolve this without one country taking a prominent lead? I think Pres Obama has been talking with other western countries about shared responsibility, as well as some in the ME.

The UN was allowed to go in to examine evidence of the chemical attacks, and it will be days before they have results.

No, I don’t think the “gorilla in the room” is escalation, I think it is tribal loyalties arranged according to sects. We saw that in Iraq, we’ve also seen it in other ME countries, and it is an ongoing problem that can only be managed with secular, more democratic govts.

I think if chemical agents are being used, it’s because conventional weapons are in short supply, as are munitions, regardless of Russia’s rhetoric. I don’t think Assad has the upper hand particularly, rather that he’s in a rather vulnerable position right now, and even Iran is divided on Syria. That should be a consideration in any kind of action that is undertaken, whether through diplomatic channels and/or any use of force.