Obama preps airstrikes in Syria to fight ISIS:
President Obama is prepared to use U.S. Military airstrikes in Syria as part of an expanded campaign to defeat the Islamic State and does not believe he needs formal congressional approval to take that action, according to people who have spoken with the president in recent days. Ref. Source 2
Lavrov: West may use ISIS as pretext to bomb Syrian govt forces:
"There are reasons to suspect that air strikes on Syrian territory may target not only areas controlled by Islamic State militants, but the government troops may also be attacked on the quiet to weaken the positions of Bashar Assad's army," Lavrov said Tuesday. Ref. Source 2
Obama orders Syria airstrikes:
President Barack Obama on Wednesday said he will launch airstrikes in Syria against the Islamic State and expand strikes in Iraq, pledging a U.S.-led coalition to destroy the militants "Wherever they exist," As he expanded the U.S. Role in an armed conflict he spent years trying to avoid. Ref. Source 8
U.S. Bypasses Security Council on Impending Invasion of Syria: Analysis
The U.N. Security Council (UNSC), the only international body empowered to declare war and peace, continues to remain a silent witness to the widespread devastation and killings worldwide, including in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Ukraine. Ref. Source 9
Syria Warns US About Consequences of Unilateral Attacks :
Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad today reaffirmed that any attack against the Syrian territory with the pretext of fighting terrorism without the Government''s approval will be considered an aggression. Ref. Source 5
Report: Obama would "Retaliate" If Syria shoots at US military flights:
If that were to happen, Obama said he would order U.S. Forces to destroy Syria's air defense system, the Times report said. That scenario could also lead to Assad's overthrow, Obama said, according to one Times source. Ref. Source 9
The U.S. House of Representatives approved President Barack Obama's request to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight ISIS.
The vote was 273-156, with significant opposition in both parties. A Senate vote on the proposal could come as early as Thursday. Ref. USAToday
US: Syrian rebel training may take 12 months:
Speaking to a small group of reporters after meeting with his French counterpart, Dempsey said it will take three or four months to begin the $500 million training program, which the House approved on Wednesday and sent to the Senate, where members of both parties predicted easy passage. Ref. Source 2