The Conversation: Progress on Syrian WMDs but real test for UN lies ahead

By Nicholas J Wheeler. The Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has announced it is sending a second team of weapons inspectors to Syria where, director-general Ahmet Üzümcü reports, destruction of al-Assad's chemical stockpile has commenced with the co-operation of regime officials in what he describes as a "constructive beginning". The OPCW chief warns, though, that this will be a "long and difficult process" – and he isn't exaggerating. Even so, to have come this far, after two years of paralysis in the face of the growing humanitarian catastrophe engulfing Syria, is a considerable achievement.