Petraeus backs Obama in push for strike on Syria

Retired Army Gen. David Petraeus is throwing his considerable weight behind the push for military action against Syria, saying a failure to act, “would have serious ramifications not just in the Mideast, but around the world.”

Politico reports the one-time CIA director under President Obama penned a strongly worded statement in support of his former boss’ call-to-action in response to Syria's purported use of chemical weapons, writing, “I strongly support congressional approval of President Obama’s request for authority to undertake military action against the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad.

“Such action is necessary in order to deter future use of chemical weapons in Syria and to degrade the regime’s overall military capabilities.”

Petraeus, who has long claimed much clout among congressional lawmakers and specifically with conservatives, reportedly added, “Failure of Congress to approve the president’s request would have serious ramifications not just in the Mideast, but around the world.

“Military action against the Syrian regime is, thus, necessary not just to deter future use of chemical weapons in Syria and elsewhere, but also to ensure that Iran, North Korea and other would-be aggressors never underestimate the United States’ resolve to take necessary military action when other tools prove insufficient.”