Syria and the use of Chemical Weapons

With the shocking evidence of the use of chemical weapons and the finger being firmly pointed in the direction of the Assad regime, this article from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) offers a solution to the problem of finding out who is the culprit.

Eyes over Syria: Using Drones to Monitor Atrocities

While the article that I have linked from the RUSI website provides a solution for monitoring the conflict within Syria in a very realistic way, it does not solve 100% who was to blame for the latest atrocity.
It must be said that it is highly likely that the regime is too blame for this and action does need to be taken to prevent further lines in the conflict being crossed. However should this atrocity be the basis for Western intervention in Syria?
My own personal opinion is that intervention should be the absolute last resort and ideally should come from a regional state actor. The west can however play its part by imposing embargoes and ensuring that other UN member states adhere to these (such as Russia and China). This however is unlikely as Assad still has friends who can lessen the effects or stop them all togther when it comes to the US and UK.
This is why the use of UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) can prove to be such a game changer. It will appease Assad's friends in Russia and China, even if it doesn't appease them it will be hard for them to block a UN resolution that does not risk lives and offers impartial surveillance that is available 24/7.
It will give a good indication of what is going on in the country and perhaps lead both sides to the peace table in the long run when both sides realise that they will be held accountable.

A visit to Paris

With it being summer time I ventured to Paris to take in the sights. One thing that struck me was how the city had survived the ravages of two world wars virtually intact.
The streets were great to walk along and feel the history that the city has, a great number of monuments to various wars and conflicts adorn Paris.

Memorial opposite Notre Dame Cathedral, Source: Author's Collection.

I have always had an interest in the Napoleonic wars and some of the statues and monuments were fantastic to look upon and incredible that due to a number of reasons they survived two very destructive conflicts.
It is not just the statues that are a reminder of past wars but also Metro stations such as Bir Hakem (the Metro station by the Eifel Tower).

Arc Du Triumph, Source: Author's Collection.

It was a trip filled with plenty of walking and plenty of mental notes to self to read up more on various periods (not least the French Revolution as I have only a very basic knowledge around this significant event).