The conflict in Syria entered a terrifying new phase in August when numerous sources began suggesting that chemical weapons had been employed on a relatively large scale. Respected medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres was one of the first to sound the alarm, noting that patients were presenting, and dying from, neurotoxic symptoms. As unacceptable, despicable and illegal as this action was – an action that demands a response – the world is also right to be as worried about the possible fallout from yet another Middle East intervention.