Western military planners have a number of options available for action against regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-assad following his alleged use of chemical weapons against anti-government rebel forces in Damascus last week.
The least risky and most likely option would involve limited strikes against high-value targets in Syria from US and its allies' warships and submarines stationed in the Mediterranean.
Ship and submarine launched tomahawk cruise missiles would be used to strike at targets including military barracks, missile production facilities and air defenses to send a message to Assad.
Another option would be to step up support and training to Syrian opposition groups. But links to Al-Qaeda groups among the rebel groups mean this is unlikely to be pursued.
Establishing a no-fly zone over Syrian territory would first involve taking out Syria's reputedly extensive air-defense network, while planes would also need to be available to shoot down any Syrian aircraft that take to the skies.
Buffer zones along Syria's border with Turkey and Jordan could be established, providing a safe haven for rebels and refugees, and enabling them to receive supplies. Policing the zones, however, would present difficulties.
Securing Syria's stockpiles of chemical weapons is another option, but bombing them would be risky and seizing the weapons would require a massive and indefinite land operation that the US has no desire for.
Most analysts believe the most likely option will involve long-range missile strikes meant as a lesson to the Assad regime.
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