ABC reporter Jonathan Karl asked White House press secretary Jay Carney if the Obama administration was concerned that the Syria chemical weapons deal may be falling apart Wednesday in the White House press conference. Carney defensively interjected "absolutely not," but added Syria's main partner and sponsor of the chemical weapons deal Russia has "a great deal at stake" should the agreement fail:
JONATHAN KARL: A couple quick follow-ups. First, Steve's question about the Syria, chemical weapons issues. I think the question was, is the White House concerned that that agreement is falling apart?
JAY CARNEY: Absolutely not. We're not concerned it's falling apart -- falling apart. We're concerned -- we are ensuring and making our views known that Syria must abide by its commitments. And that is a few that I believe that they must. I believe that the regime must.
We have heard from the Russian government that it is their expectation that the Assad regime will be delivering a substantial portion of its chemical weapons, supplies and equipment in the relatively near future. We certainly expect and hope that that's the case. And I noted that Russia obviously has a great deal at stake here when it comes to Syria fulfilling -- the regime fulfilling is responsibilities.
Reuters reported today Syria has missed its deadline to turn over toxic materials critical for the production of chemical weapons. Damascus claimed threats of rebel attacks have slowed the shipments.
Josh Rogin of The Daily Beast reported earlier this week a schism has surfaced between Secretary of State John Kerry and the White House over Syria's apparent efforts to "slow roll" the United States: