Middle East Policies - Page 665

December 20, 2015

Is Iran planning revenge strikes if US hits Syria?

U.S. officials have intercepted intelligence indicating Iran recently urged militants to strike the U.S. embassy in Baghdad -- raising the possibility that the country is looking to orchestrate revenge attacks if the United States launches missiles at its ally Syria. 

December 20, 2015

Obama presses world leaders for Syria action as strike plan rapidly adjusted

President Obama is using the final day of the G-20 summit in Russia to build support for a U.S. military strike in Syria, even as the details of that plan continue to change by the day -- with one source telling Fox News that military officials have been asked to revise their plans 50 times since the Pentagon first began considering a “limited” action.

December 20, 2015

Kerry grilled in 2nd day of Syria testimony, claims inaction would embolden Assad

Secretary of State John Kerry faced a tense hearing room on Wednesday as he testified for the second consecutive day in support of a military strike in Syria, arguing once again that inaction would embolden America's enemies. 

December 20, 2015

Senate panel votes to authorize Syria strike

President Obama cleared his first hurdle on Wednesday in his push for a military strike in Syria, as a key Senate panel voted to authorize the use of force.

December 20, 2015

Kerry, Hagel claim inaction on Syria 'dangerous' for US; skeptics warn of 'war'

Secretary of State John Kerry made a forceful case for military action in Syria during congressional testimony on Tuesday, arguing that doing nothing would open a "Pandora's box" of "dangerous consequences" for the United States. 

December 20, 2015

Putin wants to send delegation to lobby Capitol Hill against Syria strike

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to send a delegation to Washington to persuade Capitol Hill lawmakers not to support a military strike on Syria.

December 20, 2015

Israeli sources on Obama's Syria approach: 'Not how a superpower acts'

While leading Israeli officials have publicly struck a tone of muted support for President Obama's decision to seek congressional authorization for strikes on Syria's chemical weapons delivery systems, in private, senior Israeli officials and foreign policy analysts are expressing grave disappointment with the conduct of their ally in Washington.

December 20, 2015

US still has yet to arm Syrian rebels, report says

U.S. officials tell the WSJ the delay can be blamed on the difficulty of creating a secure pipeline to ensure the small weapons and munition from the CIA do not fall into the wrong hands, especially those of jihadists fighting alongside the rebels against Assad

December 20, 2015

White House confident on winning Hill support on Syria but scrambling to get votes

The Obama administration, bolstered by evidence the Syrian government used lethal sarin gas on its own people, expressed confidence Sunday that Congress would back President Obama’s decision for a military strike on the Middle East country. 

December 20, 2015

Kerry takes case for Syria strike to the public

The Obama administration begins taking its case for a strike against Syria to the American people Sunday morning, with Secretary of State John Kerry making rounds on morning television news shows.