Kerry Says Chemical Arms Attack in Syria Is ‘Undeniable’

[Zimbow]

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the use of chemical weapons in attacks on civilians in Syria last week was undeniable and that the Obama administration would hold the Syrian government accountable for what he called a “moral obscenity” that had shocked the world’s conscience.

In some of the most strident language used yet by the administration, Mr. Kerry accused the Syrian government of cynically seeking to cover up the use of the weapons, and he rejected its denial of responsibility for what he called a “cowardly crime.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/wo...ria-assad.html

[Zimbow]

New poll: Syria intervention even less popular than Congress

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll has finally found something that Americans like even less than Congress: the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Syria. Only 9 percent of respondents said that the Obama administration should intervene militarily in Syria; a RealClearPolitics poll average finds Congress has a 15 percent approval rating, making the country’s most hated political body almost twice as popular.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was taken Aug.19-23, the very same week that horrific reports emerged strongly suggesting that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has used chemical weapons against his own people, potentially killing hundreds or even thousands of civilians. If there were ever a time that Americans would support some sort of action, you’d think this would be it. But this is the lowest support for intervention since the poll began tracking opinion on the issue. The survey also found that 60 percent oppose intervention outright, with the rest, perhaps sagely, saying that they don’t know.

http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wo...than-congress/

[Zimbow]

Syria, Iran issue first explicit warning to Israel if US attacks

‘We have strategic weapons and we’re capable of responding,’ says official in Damscus; Russia: West has no proof of chemical attack

A senior Syrian official on Monday issued a first direct warning that if attacked, his country would retaliate against Israel. Khalaf Muftah, a senior Baath Party official who used to serve as Syria’s assistant information minister, said in a radio interview that Damascus would consider Israel “behind the [Western] aggression and [it] will therefore come under fire.”

“We have strategic weapons and we’re capable of responding,” he said. “Normally the strategic weapons are aimed at Israel.”
Muftah concluded with a warning that “If the US or Israel make the mistake of taking advantage of the chemical issue… the region will go up in flames… that will affect security not only in the region but across the world.”

His words were echoed by Iranian officials, who on Monday shrugged off the threat of a US attack on its close ally Syria, but said that if such a strike were to take place, Israel would suffer.
“[The Americans] are incapable of starting a new war in the region, because of their lacking economic capabilities and their lack of morale,” said Mohammad Reza Naqdi, the commander of the Republican Guards’ elite Basij force.

Read more here;
http://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-i...if-us-attacks/

[JustAlex]

This is getting uglier and messier as the days go by.

And I'm STILL waiting for anyone to give me ONE good reason why we should even be entertaining talks of going into a foreign country when there is no reason to do so.

Saying that you want to help people is NOT a good reason, because the U.S can only make things worse.

And I'm VERY GLAD to see that American citizens are NOT being fooled by the media or anyone else into wanting war, the overwhelming majority are AGAINST going into Syria.

[centrehice]

The US needs to put down the Chalupa, and back-away.

[Zimbow]

This is getting uglier and messier as the days go by.

And I'm STILL waiting for anyone to give me ONE good reason why we should even be entertaining talks of going into a foreign country when there is no reason to do so.

Saying that you want to help people is NOT a good reason, because the U.S can only make things worse.

And I'm VERY GLAD to see that American citizens are NOT being fooled by the media or anyone else into wanting war, the overwhelming majority are AGAINST going into Syria.

I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying. We (US) need to stay out of this. I'm trying to post updates as quick & efficient as they appear.

[deansayso]

Because we want to start WWN (World War Nuclear)

This is getting uglier and messier as the days go by.

And I'm STILL waiting for anyone to give me ONE good reason why we should even be entertaining talks of going into a foreign country when there is no reason to do so.

Saying that you want to help people is NOT a good reason, because the U.S can only make things worse.

And I'm VERY GLAD to see that American citizens are NOT being fooled by the media or anyone else into wanting war, the overwhelming majority are AGAINST going into Syria.

[duane1969]

Looks like Obama is eyeing air strikes against Syria anyway. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...972_story.html

The irony in all of this is if Americans were to rise up against the Federal government the government would not hesitate to use whatever means necessary to defeat the uprising and stay in power.

[Zimbow]

Cameron backs down on urgent Syria strikes

David Cameron backed down and agreed to delay a military attack on Syria following a growing revolt over the UK's rushed response to the crisis on Wednesday night.

The Prime Minister has now said he will wait for a report by United Nations weapons inspectors before seeking the approval of MPs for “direct British involvement” in the Syrian intervention.
Downing Street said the decision to wait for the UN was based on the “deep concerns” the country still harbours over the Iraq War.
MPs had been recalled to vote on a motion on Thursday expected to sanction military action. Instead, after a Labour intervention, they will debate a broader motion calling for a “humanitarian response”.

A second vote would be required before any British military involvement. This could now take place next week.
In a statement on Wednesday night Downing Street said that it only wanted to proceed on a “consensual basis” and was now wary about becoming embroiled in another divisive conflict in the Middle East in the wake of Iraq.

Read more here;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...a-strikes.html

[Zimbow]

Syria says 'terrorists' will strike Europe with chemical weapons

(Reuters) - Syria's deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday that the United States, Britain and France helped "terrorists" use chemical weapons in Syria, and that the same groups would soon use them against Europe.

Speaking to reporters outside the Four Seasons hotel in Damascus, Faisal Maqdad said he had presented U.N. chemical weapons inspectors with evidence that "armed terrorist groups" had used sarin gas in all the sites of alleged attacks.

"We repeat that the terrorist groups are the ones that used (chemical weapons) with the help of the United States, the United Kingdom and France, and this has to stop," he said. "This means these chemical weapons will soon be used by the same groups against the people of Europe," he added.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97R0N220130828