The U.S. and its allies are gearing up for a military response against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s alleged use of large-scale chemical weapons against his own people in Syria’s ongoing civil war. Secretary of State John Kerry said the evidence chemical weapons were used is “undeniable.” But Syria’s foreign minister denies the use of chemical weapons, and says his country would defend itself using “all means available” against a Western-led strike.

On Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm, we take a closer look at the escalating tensions with Robert Pape, political science professor at University of Chicago; Nabeel Khoury,Senior Fellow of Middle East and National Security from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; and Ian Hurd, international law and politics professor at Northwestern University.

Related Links:

John Kerry's Remarks on Syria

The New York Times: Robert Pape's Op-Ed on Why We Shouldn’t Attack Syria (Yet)

The Cairo Review of Global Affairs: Nabeel Khoury's article on U.S. OPTIONS IN SYRIA, SCRUTINIZED

Boston Review: Ian Hurd's blog on Is Intervention in Syria Legal? Does Obama Care?

U.S. News: Hurd's Op-Ed on Syria in the Crosshairs

Al-Jazeera: Hurd's Op-Ed on Saving Syria: International law is not the answer

BBC News article on US ready to launch Syria strike, says Chuck Hagel

Council on Foreign Relations Op-Ed on America Must Respond to the Atrocities in Syria

The New York Times article on Momentum Builds for Military Strike in Syria

The New York Times article on Kerry Cites Clear Evidence of Chemical Weapon Use in Syria

The New York Times article on Blasts in the Night, a Smell, and a Flood of Syrian Victims

POLITICO article on Syria chemical weapons: Q&A about nerve agents like sarin

The Washington Post article on After Syria chemical allegations, Obama considering limited military strike

The New York Times article on Air War in Kosovo Seen as Precedent in Possible Response to Syria Chemical Attack

The Wall Street Journal article on Syria Vows to Repel Any U.S. Attack

USA Today: Analysis: Syrian regime can withstand limited strike

The Tower article on Israeli Gas Mask Distribution Ramps Up Amid Syria Escalation, Suspected Chemical Weapons Use

TIME article on West Poised for Syrian Intervention as Child Refugees Hit 1 Million

The New York Times: Hurd's Op-Ed on Bomb Syria, Even if It Is Illegal