Obama says US has 'obligation' to act on Syria, cites intel report

 

Obama says US has 'obligation' to act on Syria, cites intel report


Fox News - President Obama signaled Friday that the U.S. could act alone to punish Syria for a chemical weapons attack last week, saying the nation has an "obligation as a leader in the world" to hold rogue regimes to account for breaching the rules of war.

Facing rising skepticism in Congress and abroad, the president and top Cabinet officials tried to make a robust case for intervention on Friday -- releasing an intelligence report showing "high confidence" the Assad regime carried out the strike and arguing that responding would be in the U.S. interest.

"This kind of attack is a challenge to the world," Obama said, adding: "A lot of people think something should be done, but nobody wants to do it."

He said his preference would be to form an international coalition to respond, but "we don't want the world to be paralyzed." Obama said he hasn't yet made a decision, but is considering a "limited, narrow act" to send a message to Syria and others about the use of chemical weapons.   Read More

Following call with White House, lawmakers signal tepid approval for strike against Syria

Washington Examiner - Congressional leaders Thursday night appeared ready to back at least a limited U.S. military strike on the Syrian government following a private telephone briefing with White House officials.

Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and National Security Advisor Susan Rice as well as Director of National Intelligence James Clapper were among the White House officials on the 90 minute call, which did not include President Obama and, due to security concerns, excluded discussions of classified material.

While classified information was lacking, lawmakers said they were assured there is solid evidence that the regime of Bashar al-Assad was behind an Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack against its own people and that the United States should take action to stop its further use.

“Tonight’s briefing reaffirmed for me that a decisive and consequential U.S. response is justified and warranted to protect Syrians, as well as to send a global message that chemical weapons attacks in violation of international law will not stand,” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said following the call.   Read More   PTG

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