Red Line

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In August 2012, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was struggling to maintain power amid a brutal civil war. Fearing the use of chemical weapons, the international community warned that such an act would cross a "red line" and provoke military action. When Assad launched a sarin gas attack on Ghouta in 2013, killing hundreds, global leaders faced the dilemma of honoring their commitment while avoiding another unpopular Middle Eastern conflict. Russia's offer to store Syria's chemical weapons appeared to be a solution, prompting a race to locate, remove, and destroy 1,300 tons of these weapons amidst ongoing violence. Initially, the operation seemed a tactical success for the West, but Russia's true intentions soon emerged, using UN support to bolster Assad's regime. Concurrently, ISIS expanded its control, threatening to seize Syria’s chemical arsenal, leading to dire consequences. This narrative unfolds through gripping detail, featuring a diverse cast of characters, including weapons hunters, politicians, and spies. Through original reporting and firsthand accounts, the author illustrates how a well-meaning initiative to protect Syrian lives inadvertently triggered a series of events that would bolster a dictator, fuel terrorism, create a refugee crisis, and empower Russia and Iran.