Military action in Syria unappealing

British foreign secretary, William Hague, has tentatively raised the prospect of military action against Syria, but the advice from defence chiefs has not changed — and it is stark.

They have warned that Syria cannot be compared to Libya, and that any military action will almost inevitably lead to a more bitter and bloody civil war. They say there is no clear first move; there is no clear exit strategy either.

Which is why the planning that has been undertaken at the British Ministry of Defence remains glued to the table and is not in any immediate danger of being realised.

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