4. Dramatic breakthrough in Syrian chemical weapons crisis

Chemical weapons were reportedly used by Syrian government troops in the suburb of Damascus, capital of Syria on August 21. Though the Syrian government had denied the reports repeatedly, the United States and other western countries used it as an excuse to push for a military intervention in Syria.

On September 9, Russia proposed that Syria should place its chemical weapons under international control and dismantle them quickly to "stave off" a possible US military strike. The Syrian government accepted the proposal the next day.

The UN Security Council passed a landmark resolution on September 27, condemning any use of chemical weapons in Syria, and asking Syria to work together with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations to destroy its chemical arsenal.

On October 31, the OPCW said Syria has destroyed all previously declared chemical weapons production and mixing equipment.

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