British Prime Minister Theresa May has fronted up to MPs to defend her decision to join US air strikes on Syria without getting Parliamentary approval first.
She says she couldn't wait to act while the Syrian people continue to suffer.
However, New York Times Middle East correspondent Ben Hubbard told Kate Hawkesby that while the words are powerful, the reality is very different.
"These strikes by these governments, these don't really affect in any tangible way the larger, very painful status quo that Syria is stuck in."
Hubbard says the West has failed to take any real action.
"There's a lot of tears shed over what's happening in Syria, but nobody seems interested in doing the kind of investment, whether political, military or otherwise, to bring this conflict to a close."
LISTEN TO BEN HUBBARD TALK WITH KATE HAWKESBY ABOVE
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