i have mixed feelings about this from the result end. i know Pres. made a promise he has to be a man of his word in the eyes of the rest of the world, i rest assured he has and still is giving it the going over continually looking for the best ways to handle this.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's decision to authorize lethal aid to Syrian rebels marks a deepening of U.S. involvement in the two-year civil war. But U.S. officials are still grappling with what type and how much weaponry to send the opposition forces and how to ensure it stays out of the hands of extremists battling for control of Syria.
U.S. officials confirmed Obama's authorization Thursday after the White House announced it had conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime used chemical weapons against opposition forces. Obama has said the use of chemical weapons would cross a "red line," suggesting greater American intervention.While a small percentage of the 93,000 people reportedly killed in Syria are said to have died from chemical weapons — U.S. intelligence puts the number at 100 to 150 — the White House views the deployment of the deadly agents as a flouting of international norms. Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser, said the multiple chemical weapons attacks gave greater urgency to the situation.
Obama's opposition to sending American troops into Syria makes it less likely the U.S. will provide sophisticated arms or anti-aircraft weapons that would require large-scale training. Administration officials are also worried about high-powered weapons ending up in the hands of terrorist groups. Hezbollah fighters are among those backing Assad's armed forces, and al-Qaida-linked extremists back the rebellion.
The CIA and special operations trainers are already running some weapons training programs for the rebels and are expected to take charge of teaching the opposition how to use the weapons the U.S. has agreed to supply, another U.S. official said.There is also some debate within the administration about who would provide the lethal aid and how it might be delivered, the U.S. officials said.
i feel confident this will not be another Iraq, i am very concerned about other countries and their involvement in opposition to what we intend to do. they are the other two powers Russia and China, and they may be still dealing with the right wing's attitude when dealing with them and may see this as a get back in spite of the diplomacy that Pres. has been able to exercise we can only pray that that is enough to keep the saber waving on the DL.
