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Syria crisis: Obama begins struggle to persuade Congress of need for strikes Syria crisis: Obama begins struggle to persuade Congress of need for strikes
(17 days later)
President Obama began an uphill struggle on Monday to persuade Congress of the need for US military action in Syria, reaching out to hawkish Republicans in the hope of building bipartisan consensus before key votes next week.President Obama began an uphill struggle on Monday to persuade Congress of the need for US military action in Syria, reaching out to hawkish Republicans in the hope of building bipartisan consensus before key votes next week.
Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, who have been calling for greater intervention to support Syrian rebels for several months, were due to meet the president at the White House on Monday afternoon, to hear his plan for a response to alleged chemical weapons use by government forces. Both Republicans were expected to press the administration to strengthen the language in its proposed military authorisation order and detail what the consequences of the expected missile attack might be for the government of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president.Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, who have been calling for greater intervention to support Syrian rebels for several months, were due to meet the president at the White House on Monday afternoon, to hear his plan for a response to alleged chemical weapons use by government forces. Both Republicans were expected to press the administration to strengthen the language in its proposed military authorisation order and detail what the consequences of the expected missile attack might be for the government of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president.
But any toughening of his authorisation order may make it harder for Obama to persuade sceptical members of his own party that the US is not seeking "regime change" and will not become embroiled in another intractable Middle East commitment.But any toughening of his authorisation order may make it harder for Obama to persuade sceptical members of his own party that the US is not seeking "regime change" and will not become embroiled in another intractable Middle East commitment.
Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving Senate Democrat, has already criticised the proposed White House authorisation to use military force as "too open-ended". Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, is thought to be drafting revisions that would limit the time frame for action and make it clearer that no US ground troops can be used.Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving Senate Democrat, has already criticised the proposed White House authorisation to use military force as "too open-ended". Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, is thought to be drafting revisions that would limit the time frame for action and make it clearer that no US ground troops can be used.
White House aides held another conference call with Democrat lawmakers on Monday morning, but the mood that followed a similar briefing on Capitol Hill on Sunday suggested that substantial scepticism remains among politicians in both parties.White House aides held another conference call with Democrat lawmakers on Monday morning, but the mood that followed a similar briefing on Capitol Hill on Sunday suggested that substantial scepticism remains among politicians in both parties.
A growing isolationist wing in the Republican party, led by the libertarian senator Rand Paul, has declared its opposition to military intervention.A growing isolationist wing in the Republican party, led by the libertarian senator Rand Paul, has declared its opposition to military intervention.
The next key step in Obama's frantic efforts to shore up support will come on Tuesday, when defence secretary Chuck Hagel and secretary of state John Kerry are due to testify in a Senate committee hearing. Lawmakers will want to hear more about what military options are available and what they would achieve, particularly in light of acknowledged scepticism in the Pentagon, expressed most recently by the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Martin Dempsey.The next key step in Obama's frantic efforts to shore up support will come on Tuesday, when defence secretary Chuck Hagel and secretary of state John Kerry are due to testify in a Senate committee hearing. Lawmakers will want to hear more about what military options are available and what they would achieve, particularly in light of acknowledged scepticism in the Pentagon, expressed most recently by the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Martin Dempsey.
Given scepticism about the possible strikes abroad, on Capitol Hill and in sections of the military, the White House has been working flat out to press its case. Obama, vice-president Joe Biden and the White House chief of staff, Denis McDonough, have been making personal phone calls throughout the Labor Day weekend.Given scepticism about the possible strikes abroad, on Capitol Hill and in sections of the military, the White House has been working flat out to press its case. Obama, vice-president Joe Biden and the White House chief of staff, Denis McDonough, have been making personal phone calls throughout the Labor Day weekend.
Meanwhile, Washington is trying to keep up pressure on the Assad government by moving another warship into the Red Sea; four destroyers are already in the Mediterranean. Kerry has also upped his rhetoric in favour of action, claiming in appearances on all the key Sunday political talkshows that "signatures" of sarin gas have been found in samples taken from the scene of the biggest alleged chemical attack, which took place in a suburb of Damascus on 21 August.Meanwhile, Washington is trying to keep up pressure on the Assad government by moving another warship into the Red Sea; four destroyers are already in the Mediterranean. Kerry has also upped his rhetoric in favour of action, claiming in appearances on all the key Sunday political talkshows that "signatures" of sarin gas have been found in samples taken from the scene of the biggest alleged chemical attack, which took place in a suburb of Damascus on 21 August.
Political campaigning is likely to continue all week, with a vote scheduled in the House of Representatives during the week of 9 September. It is not yet clear when the Senate vote will take place, but Reid has said it would be no later than the week of 9 September.Political campaigning is likely to continue all week, with a vote scheduled in the House of Representatives during the week of 9 September. It is not yet clear when the Senate vote will take place, but Reid has said it would be no later than the week of 9 September.
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