U.S. Rules Out Unilateral Military Action in Syria
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The United States has ruled out unilateral military action against Syria and is conferring with allies on potential punitive strikes that could last for more than a day, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday.
"Any military action would not be unilateral. It would include international partners," the senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters.
The strikes against Syria, if ordered, could extend beyond a single day, the official said.
"The options are not limited just to one day."
Amid speculation Britain and France would join in the possible strikes, U.S. officials declined to comment on whether the military action under consideration would go beyond the use of cruise missiles and require fighter aircraft to enter Syrian airspace.
"We're exploring every option," the official said.
The official's comments offered the latest sign President Barack Obama and U.S. allies were moving towards military action against Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons.
Obama's deputies were holding discussions with Turkey, Jordan and other partners on contingency plans in preparation for any retaliation by the Syrian regime in the event of U.S.-led action, the official said.
Washington was looking at "what could likely be the reaction, the consequences" of military action.
"There's a possibility that the Syrian government would use chemical weapons again. I don't think you can discount that," said the official.
But if the United States took no military action against Damascus, then it would send a dangerous signal to other regimes with chemical stockpiles, including North Korea, the official said.
Citing North Korea, the official said "what's to say, as they (the North Koreans) watch this play out in Syria, they wouldn't use weapons like this?"
Obama's aides were still working to define the precise objective of any potential intervention, a second administration official said.
The purpose of the strikes would likely be aimed at deterring President Bashar Assad's regime from using chemical weapons again and degrading its ability to do so, the second official said.
The Assad regime has warned Washington against intervention but the United States was prepared for possible retaliatory action from Syria or its allies, according to the second official.
"We believe we can manage any Syrian reprisals" or reaction from "outside players," including Iran or Hizbullah in Lebanon, he said.
28 August 2013, 15:49
610
what was i saying? they can't afford to hit syria.
after their inflamed speeches they need to find some way out and let some time pass before they announce that actually they wont attack syria. because indeed, they wont. simply because they can't afford to.
any attack on syria will be met with attacks on saudi oil fields, and the consequences of this would be an explosion of oil price and worldwide economic collapse.
max they will do is a few insignificant strikes to save the face.
28 August 2013, 15:58
54
"any attack on Syria will be met with attacks on Saudi oil fields"
Whom, may I ask will do that? The Iranians, with so many US ships in the Gulf area. Syria itself, doesn't Assad have enough problems already? So WHO?
28 August 2013, 16:00
79
FYI, it is Syria, not Iran, who produced all the missiles that HA has. And the ones they made for themselves are even bigger and of longer range. They can hit every saudi oilfield without problem, and if a total war is launched against them what would they have to lose?
28 August 2013, 16:04
410
not to mention iran is bound by the mutual defense pact to enter war if syria is attacked. so the US bases all around iran better have deep bunkers.
28 August 2013, 17:08
28
I think that there will be a hit anyway. The West sabre-rattled long enough. It can't back down or it will be laughing stock of every tyran on this planet. My take on this latest development is that the US does not want to give the impression of going it alone. They want the world to know that France and the UK are on board as well, and we all that know they are. So strikes are coming.
28 August 2013, 18:32
62
momo- you seem to be laying the ground work on naharnet to proclaim a "divine victory" for near future. I'm sure your bosses are very pleased with your performance so far. keep up the good work.
28 August 2013, 19:07
15
jabal, yes, that's what i meant when i said "max they will do is a few insignificant strikes to save the face"
they will strike a few minor targets, but they wont go too far and avoid too sensitive targets.
potato-smash: what's your point anyway? if you dont have anything to say, you dont have to. unless you're paid by the comment?
28 August 2013, 19:49
41
Yes momo- It's obvious that I am paid to comment and it's per comment as well. That is why my comments are all over naharnet. Genius deduction!
my point is exactly what I stated. you are paid propaganda machine and you are laying the ground work with your comments to proclaim a "divine victory" after the air strikes. Like I stated earlier, you are doing a good job of it as well. however, I find it hard to believe that you didn't get the point. Anyway take care and good luck to your employers on their future "divine Victory".
28 August 2013, 15:59
103
Mowaten ro7 3ol tabkhet mjadara heda yali btefham fi trok siyesi la ashaba
28 August 2013, 16:06
49
walla shaklak enta ktir fehem, bass ma l2itelleh ella 7al jaweb el beyekh? rou7 kol gheir chi, ese f7emt chou asde.
28 August 2013, 19:10
14
posting under multiple names? it's useless, you're equally lame and pointless in either.
28 August 2013, 16:16
68
Shame on you naharnet for exploiting the Syrian victims and using the picture of hurt children to inflame opinion against the Syrian Presidency..
28 August 2013, 16:38
13
To choose between the devil and the devils son is not easy,
I choose to side with Bashar because he is the lesser of two evils.
Also whoever believes that Bashar used chemical weapons THE SAME DAY as the UN inspection team arrived to Syria is delusional.
28 August 2013, 17:32
28
The United States of America will be the only ones launching Tomahawks. Great Britain and France will only endorse the short campaign as they do not dispose of similar technology. None will fly over Syria because of their Russian SAM defence system.
It is only a message to the Assad regime not to repeat his mistake. the Americans have a recording of the syrian defence minister talking to his general about the chemical attacks launched on Ghouta. it's solid proof. A weak Assad is better for the Western World and Israel than a strong democratically elected leader that would take his place. That's where we stand today.
28 August 2013, 18:19
36
Arabs a disgrace ? Your entitled to "speakfreely " but remember this Issac & Ishmael were born to the father " Abraham " !
If you are calling Arabs a disgrace then what language have you left for the Jews !!!
I will leave it up to your imagination .
Signed Wolf !
28 August 2013, 19:14
24
"The strikes against Syria, if ordered, could extend beyond a single day, the official said".......you think????
Obeying Israeli demands is going to land the US in some deep khara...deeper than Afghanistan, Iraq...even deeper than the hole in Saed Hariri's head.
28 August 2013, 19:25
62
Or even deeper then the whole Mr Hassan Nusralla is living in?
28 August 2013, 21:08
14
Please let's no muddy the water and cloud the truth. Israel is opposed to a US strike on Syria because it fears HA will be ordered to strike Israel with thousands of missiles. Kindly do not try to promote irrational propaganda and accept the fact that Israel and Syria have enjoyed an informal truce for over 30 years.
29 August 2013, 00:39
01
But Bandoul, what if, for example, Al-Assad is to be replaced with someone not only harmless to Israel, but actually sympathetic? Doubt he'll last long really, but I'm just saying a better alternative is definitely possible for Al-Assad in regards to Syria's relation with Israel.
29 August 2013, 17:21
00
You mean like (strong sarcasm) Egypt's Al-Morsi? Please folks, the US Mid-East policy only makes sense to the people driving it as us the average American people have no clue. This Arab Spring mambo jumbo is turning out to be a real detriment to the USA as far as I am concerned thank you very much Mr. Obama (more sarcasm)
28 August 2013, 19:35
25
@std_da_virus
its nice to see fellow lebanese supporting Israeli, US strikes on a Arab nation.
what a tool
28 August 2013, 20:01
22
@std_virus
so you're admitting you're undying support for Israel??? Beautiful :)
As far as Assad is concerned, I could give a crap about him or what happens to him personally...All i know is that he is a million times better than your Takfiri, suicide bombing, Israeli loving allies.
28 August 2013, 20:19
32
Your putting words in my mouth, and this lame tactic of making everyone who doesn't agree with your opinion as an Israeli traitor is also getting really old. I don't give a crap about Syria or any other country, I care about Lebanon. And by the way Syria has millions of people, so don't insult my and others intelligence by saying that the Syrians have only two choices either the tyranny of Hezb Al Baath or the crazy fanatics, I am sure that the number of moderates in Syria by far exceeds those two limited choices that you have portrayed.ps: my handle is irus-da-virus, no need to make lame punt on it, if we are to debate then lets debate on intelligent points and not lame one liners.
28 August 2013, 20:13
24
Well "speakfreely " then I would say to you to be specific on who you attack in the future, do not generalise . If it was not for our ancestors we will not exist as a matter of I'm proud of my heritage. If their are radicals amongst us then they should be treated accordingly. Having said that, there are as much radicals if not more in Israel sanctioned by their own Government killing, murdering , assassinating, thieving , occupying , terrorising , jailing , & conspiring incitement amongst its neighbours into sectarian hatred , I mean who is worse than who ? The Government of Israel or a few Radicals that live amongst us ?
Signed Wolf !
29 August 2013, 05:34
00
BJ , you are certainty a " LoneWolf " !!!
Welcome Aboard !
Signed Wolf !
