Washington Week Season 2013 Episode 33 Sep 6, 2013

In this episode of Washington Week, which aired on September 6, 2013, moderator Gwen Ifill led a discussion about the latest developments in the crisis in Syria. The panel of journalists and experts explored the options available to President Obama as he weighed the decision of whether or not to launch military strikes against the regime of Bashar al-Assad in response to its use of chemical weapons on civilians.

The episode began with a recap of the week's news, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's approval of a resolution authorizing military action in Syria, and the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, where President Obama faced pressure from world leaders to seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The panelists noted the growing opposition to military intervention in Syria among the American public, and discussed the political implications for the president and lawmakers in Congress.

Next, the discussion turned to the question of what a military strike on Syria might look like, and what its impact could be on the region and the world. The panelists debated the potential effectiveness of a limited, targeted strike, and the risks of escalation and retaliation from Syria and its allies, such as Iran and Hezbollah. They also considered the role of Russia, which had repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions on Syria and had provided military and diplomatic support to the Assad regime.

Later in the episode, the panelists addressed the broader implications of the crisis in Syria for US foreign policy and the Middle East region. They examined the complex dynamics of the Syrian conflict, which pitted a brutal dictatorship against a diverse coalition of opposition forces, including Islamist extremists, and highlighted the challenges of promoting democracy and stability in a volatile and fractured region. They also evaluated the influence of US allies such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel, and the impact of the crisis on US relations with Russia and China.

Throughout the episode, Ifill posed thoughtful and incisive questions to the panelists, who represented a range of perspectives and expertise. The guests included Yochi Dreazen, senior correspondent for National Journal; Molly Ball, political reporter for The Atlantic; Michael Crowley, senior foreign affairs correspondent for Time magazine; and Alexis Simendinger, White House correspondent for RealClearPolitics. The panelists engaged in rigorous and respectful debate, offering nuanced insights and thoughtful analysis that informed and educated viewers on one of the most pressing issues of the day.

Overall, the Washington Week episode of September 6, 2013, provided a compelling and informative examination of the crisis in Syria, highlighting the complex geopolitical, military, and humanitarian dimensions of the conflict. The episode showcased the strengths of the Washington Week format, which brings together a diverse and knowledgeable group of journalists and experts to discuss the critical issues of the day with depth, clarity, and insight.