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David Cameron Bolsters Call for Lawmakers to Authorize Syrian Airstrikes David Cameron Bolsters Call for Lawmakers to Authorize Syrian Airstrikes
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — The British prime minister, David Cameron, stepped up efforts on Thursday to persuade wavering lawmakers to authorize airstrikes against Islamic State forces in Syria, arguing that it was wrong to expect other nations “to carry the burdens and risks” of striking a group that threatened terrorist attacks in Britain.LONDON — The British prime minister, David Cameron, stepped up efforts on Thursday to persuade wavering lawmakers to authorize airstrikes against Islamic State forces in Syria, arguing that it was wrong to expect other nations “to carry the burdens and risks” of striking a group that threatened terrorist attacks in Britain.
Responding to concerns of a committee of deputies skeptical about attacking Syrian targets, Mr. Cameron released a 36-page document, detailing a plan to try to tackle the threat posed by the Islamic State, also known as ISIL, diplomatically as well as militarily. Responding to the concerns of a committee of lawmakers skeptical about attacking Syrian targets, Mr. Cameron released a 36-page document detailing a plan to try to tackle the threat posed by the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, diplomatically as well as militarily.
“As the threat from ISIL to our national security grows, we must take action — recognizing that no course of action is without risk, but that inaction — not dealing with ISIL at source — also carries grave risk,” Mr. Cameron wrote in the document.“As the threat from ISIL to our national security grows, we must take action — recognizing that no course of action is without risk, but that inaction — not dealing with ISIL at source — also carries grave risk,” Mr. Cameron wrote in the document.
After Britain’s involvement in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, British politicians know that their voters are weary of military entanglements in the Middle East.After Britain’s involvement in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, British politicians know that their voters are weary of military entanglements in the Middle East.
At present, Britain’s air campaign is limited to Iraq because of a parliamentary vote in 2013, which rejected the idea of bombing Syria. Mr. Cameron has said that he will not seek to overturn that decision until he is sure he has a parliamentary majority to do so, and, while there are signs that he may opt for a vote soon, there will not be one this week. At present, Britain’s air campaign is limited to Iraq because of a parliamentary vote in 2013 that rejected the idea of bombing Syria. Mr. Cameron has said that he will not seek to overturn that decision until he is sure he has a parliamentary majority to do so, and, while there are signs that he may opt for a vote soon, there will not be one this week.
Mr. Cameron’s supporters point out that, in 2013, the proposal rejected by lawmakers was to attack the forces of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.Mr. Cameron’s supporters point out that, in 2013, the proposal rejected by lawmakers was to attack the forces of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.
Now the question is whether to attack the Islamic State, the threat of which was emphasized by the attacks almost two weeks ago in Paris.Now the question is whether to attack the Islamic State, the threat of which was emphasized by the attacks almost two weeks ago in Paris.
Mr. Cameron argued in the document that attacking targets in Syria was legally justified on the grounds of self-defense.Mr. Cameron argued in the document that attacking targets in Syria was legally justified on the grounds of self-defense.
The composition of the British Parliament has changed after a general election in May in which Mr. Cameron’s Conservative Party won a full majority, allowing it to govern without its former coalition ally, the Liberal Democrats.The composition of the British Parliament has changed after a general election in May in which Mr. Cameron’s Conservative Party won a full majority, allowing it to govern without its former coalition ally, the Liberal Democrats.
The opposition Labour Party has also changed leaders, electing Jeremy Corbyn, a left-wing politician who is against airstrikes in Syria. However, his support among his lawmakers is thin, and, after the terror attacks in Paris, a number of them are likely to support airstrikes in Syria, despite what their leader says. The opposition Labour Party has also changed leaders, electing Jeremy Corbyn, a left-wing politician who is against airstrikes in Syria. However, his support among his lawmakers is thin, and, after the attacks in Paris, a number of them are likely to support airstrikes in Syria, despite what their leader says.