News

Obama Interviews on Syria:

Charlie Rose Interview with Bashar al-Assad, PBS

Syria Accepts Russian Proposal on Weapons; France to Bring Resolution to Security Council, Washington Post
An unexpected Russian proposal for Syria to avert a US military strike by transferring control of its chemical weapons appeared to be gaining traction Tuesday, as Syria embraced it, France said it would draft a UN Security Council resolution to put the plan into effect, and China and Iran voiced support.

White House Wants “Hard Look” at Syria Weapons Offer, Wall Street Journal
The White House said it would take a “hard look” at the proposal from the Russian government to get Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to turn over his chemical-weapons stockpiles but said it didn’t have confidence that Mr. Assad would do so.

Dismantling Syria Chemical Weapons Arsenal Would Be Tough Task, Reuters
Any deal with Syria to hand over its chemical weapons in the middle of a chaotic civil war would be difficult for inspectors to enforce and destroying them would likely take years, US officials and experts caution.

White House Insists it May Strike without Congressional Approval, The Hill
The White House insisted that it was legally able to launch a strike on Syria without congressional approval even as it intensified its courting of lawmakers to support military action.

Analysis

Russia’s Eleventh Hour Proposal, Fred Hof, Atlantic Council
Clearly this is an eleventh hour attempt to encourage Congress to vote “no” on authorizing President Barack Obama to conduct military operations in Syria. If Congress obliges Mr. Lavrov, it will look up and find his last-minute proposal gone with the wind.

Why America Must Act on Syria, Ahmad al-Jarba and Salim Idris, Washington Post
With the death toll well past 100,000, our struggle to liberate our country from this murderous regime and to protect our people continues, but only the United States can deter Assad from using his chemical weapons again.

The Hill to the Rescue on Syria?, Andrew Bacevich, TomDispatch
To okay an attack on Syria will, in effect, reaffirm the Carter Doctrine and put a stamp of congressional approval on the policies that got us where we are today.
To vote against the AUMF, on the other hand, will draw a red line of much greater significance than the one that President Obama himself so casually laid down.

Deterrence Defanged, Ashley Frohwein, National Interest
Obama’s decision to seek authority to act from Congress, after his administration already conveyed its intention to strike, has seriously undermined American credibility.

Government Sources

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice

Remarks by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on the Syrian Regime’s Use of Chemical Weapons

Op-Eds by Congressional Leaders:

Syria