Obama eyes limited strike on Syria
esident a ac ba a is p epa ed to ove ahead ith a li ited ilita st i e on ia, ad inist ation of ficials have said, despite a stinging e ection of such action on hu sda b e ica s stal a t all itain and ounting uestions f o ong ess
he e ection b it ain s a lia ent as a heav blo to i e iniste avid a e on, ho had pledged his suppo t to ba a and called on s to endo se itain s involve ent in a b ief ope ation to punish the gove n ent of esident asha al ssad fo appa entl launching a deadl che ical eapons at tac last ee that have
killed hundreds.
The vote was also a setback for Obama, who, having given up hope of getting U Security ouncil authorization for the strike, is struggling to assemble a coalition of allies against Syria.
But administration officials made clear that the eroding support would not deter Obama in deciding to go ahead.
Pentagon officials said the US avy had moved a fifth destroyer into the eastern editerranean Sea. Each ship carries dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles that would probably be the centerpiece of any attack on Syria. (Related story on A-33).
Syria s most powerful ally, Russia, was reported to be sending its own warships into the eastern editerranean in coming days. However, Reuters reported Russia denied it was strengthening its naval presence in the region because of preparations by Western governments for military action against Syria.
White House officials said, even before the British parliamentary vote, Obama decided there was no way he could overcome ob ections by Russia to any resolution in the Security ouncil.
Although administration officials cautioned that Obama had not made a final decision, all indications suggest that a strike could occur soon after U investigators charged with scrutinizing the Aug. 21 attack leave the country. They are scheduled to depart Damascus on Saturday.
Ban i-moon, the U Secretary- eneral, cut short a European trip and rushed home on Thursday to prepare for a briefing by his team of chemical weapons inspectors. He implored Obama to refrain from the threatened strike and to allow U procedures to take their course, seemingly to little effect.
The White House presented its case for military action to congressional leaders on Thursday evening, trying to head off growing pressure from Democrats and Republicans to provide more information about the administration s military planning and seeking congressional approval for any action.