Let me first say this - there is no defence at all for actions of the Syrian regime. The persecution and downright bloodthirsty behaviour of President Assad's regime is deplorable, and the international community (or the majority of it at least) has rightly rounded on him and criticised his actions. Long may it continue.
But one thing this recent international crisis has shown is the firm grip that William Hague has on his role as Foreign Secretary. I am by no means the first person to commend the work Mr Hague is doing at the FCO and will not be the last, but it is worth noting because amid a sea of uncertainty for the government, Hague is standing firm and delivering.
His statement to the House of Commons yesterday on the situation in Syria was a perfect example of this new-found, statesman like posture. Hague was commanding, strong, confident, assured and displayed the right level of concern; not so worried he looked out of control but not so complacent as to appear aloof to the problem. The events of the past week have been extremely troubling. The violence in Syria has drastically increased; it seems that just as the international community is realising the severity of the problem, Assad is turning the screw and upping the ante. The decision of Russia and China to veto the UN Security Council resolution - backing an Arab League plan - was a bitter disappointment.
In the chamber today, Mr Hague looked disappointed. So often ministers and secretaries of state attempt to express their concern about policies without showing any feeling at all. Granted it is harder to express emotions about some topics than it is about the loss of human life, but yesterday Mr Hague looked concerned but determined.
This was highlighted in the fact that - in a rare display of unity - the House was fully behind the Government. Again, this is on the one hand not surprising because of the topic at hand, but it also shows the grasp Mr Hague has on his job, and the command and reassurance he delivers when speaking about it.
As a former party leader - and a fairly unpopular one at that - it would have been all too easy for Hague to slip away from the frontline of politics, and perhaps from politics altogether. Instead, he has found a niche and the perfect role for himself, and he is asserting his position. There are many chinks in the armour of the Coalition; in general, their handling (read Mr Hague's handling) of foreign affairs is not one of them.
And at a time of such international uncertainty, it is reassuring not just for the government but for the country as a whole to have a man of Hague's command in one of the most important Cabinet positions. He is, as many have noted, an incredibly safe pair of hands.