US Defense Minister Chuck Hagel was excitedly and nervously explaining the situation in Syria and the Middle East to US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. Assad had used chemical weapons, and this was the US's red line. Even the claim of “chemical weapons being used in Iraq” was enough for the US to invade Iraq. Now, not acting upon Assad killing 1,500 people in Ghouta could cause a great trauma. Hagel was trying to convince Obama to stand behind his words “We will intervene if Assad uses chemical weapons.” However, Obama was playing with his Blackberry phone.