The United Nations has failed to do what it was created to do—“promote the establishment and maintenance of international peace and security.”

Dozens of civilians have been killed in the latest chemical-weapons attack in Syria. Western governments blame Syrian strongman Bashar Assad for the assault.

Last week the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that either the Syrian government or Russian forces used chemical weapons (specifically a nerve agent) in an attack on a rebel-held town. Here is what you should know about chemical weapons.