The American and German governments have announced plans to deploy Patriot missiles and weapons near Turkey’s border with Syria. Around 400 American support troops will also be deployed along with advanced “hit to kill” Patriot weapons provided by Germany and The Netherlands. Meanwhile, European Union leaders released a joint statement that said they were “appalled by the increasingly deteriorating situation in Syria”. The US last week reiterated its concerns that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad could use chemical weapons in desperation. 1

• 1. “American troops, Patriot missiles to deploy on Syrian border”, The Daily Star, December 15, 2012 at http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Dec-15/198594-american-tro...