International weapons inspectors have begun destroying Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile. It is the first step under the U.N. resolution that followed the August 21 attack in Ghouta and threats of a U.S. military strike. The Assad regime faces a deadline of mid-2014 to abandon its full chemical arsenal. Speaking today in Indonesia, Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed the initial progress.

Secretary of State John Kerry: “I think it’s also credit to the Assad regime for complying rapidly, as they are supposed to. Now we hope that will continue. I’m not going to vouch today for what happens months down the road, but it’s a good beginning. And we should welcome a good beginning.”

The United States and Russia say they hope to convene an international peace conference on Syria in about a month.