June 15, 2013

 U.S. to Send Weapons to Syria

After confirming that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against rebels in the country’s bloody civil war, the U.S. has agreed to begin sending small arms and ammunition, officials said Thursday. The aid will be coordinated by the CIA and could expand to include anti-tank weapons, but the administration remains divided over how far to go. The government has faced pressure from advocates of a stronger intervention, including a plan presented by Gen. David Petraeus last year that was backed by the State Department. The U.N. reported this week that 93,000 people have been killed so far in the conflict.
 
Read it at The Daily Beast
June 14, 2013 6:30 AM
 

Heavy Pressure Led to Decision by Obama on Syrian Arms

By   
 
For two years, President Obama has resisted being drawn deeper into the civil war in Syria. It was a miserable problem, he told aides, and not one he thought he could solve. At most, it could be managed. And besides, he wanted to be remembered for getting out of Middle East wars, not embarking on new ones.
So when Mr. Obama agreed this week for the first time to send small arms and ammunition to Syrian rebel forces, he had to be almost dragged into the decision at a time when critics, some advisers and even Bill Clinton were pressing for more action. Coming so late into the conflict, Mr. Obama expressed no confidence it would change the outcome, but privately expressed hope it might buy time to bring about a negotiated settlement.
 
Read more at N.Y. TIMES

Polls Show Chemical Weapons Affect Public’s View on Syria

By MICAH COHEN
----
The shift in administration policy on Syria seems reflective of public opinion. Polls have consistently shown Americans are deeply wary of the United States becoming involved in the fighting in Syria. But they also show that public support for intervention increases sharply under circumstances where it is confirmed that the Assad regime used chemical weapons.
Over all, the vast majority of Americans say they do not believe the United States has a responsibility to intervene in the Syrian conflict,...
 
Read more at N.Y TIMES