91±¬ÁÏ

December 20, 2015

White House puts Syria onus on Putin after Russian president pressures US in op-ed

Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva Thursday for talks with his Russian counterpart as the White House attempted to put the onus on Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the ongoing crisis over chemical weapons use by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  

December 20, 2015

US eyes weapons 'declaration' as test of Assad's intentions

An early test of how serious Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is about dismantling his arsenal of chemical weapons will come when his regime provides a declaration listing its various components, along with an inventory of related production and storage facilities, senior U.S. officials said Wednesday.

December 20, 2015

CIA director clears Benghazi survivors to talk to lawmakers

CIA Director John Brennan now says his agency will make survivors of the Benghazi attack available to talk to lawmakers, in a possible breakthrough for members of Congress investigating the strike.

December 20, 2015

Kerry comment could undermine Obama push for Syria strike

A seemingly off-hand comment from President Obama's secretary of State has touched off a rapid-fire chain of events that threatens to undermine the president's call for a military strike on the Assad regime. 

December 20, 2015

US says 14 more nations join statement on Syria

The White House says 14 more nations have signed on to a statement blaming Syrian President Bashar Assad's government for a chemical weapons attack and calling for a strong international response.

December 20, 2015

Obama, his team sharpen Syria pitch as Congress prepares to vote

The White House is putting a sharp edge on its pitch for Congress’ support for a military strike on Syria -- challenging members when they return Monday to act on indisputable evidence of a recent chemical attack on Syrian residents and suggesting the Iran and Hezbollah is watching.

December 20, 2015

Benghazi anniversary hurts White House push to win Syria support

The Obama administration’s effort Sunday to win support for a punitive military strike on Syria is faced opposition and criticism in part because of its handling of the fatal Benghazi terror attacks, which occurred one year ago  Wednesday.

December 20, 2015

US orders diplomats out of Lebanon amid debate on Syria

The State Department is ordering nonessential U.S. diplomats to leave Lebanon due to security concerns as the Obama administration and Congress debate military strikes on neighboring Syria. 

December 20, 2015

State Department fires back over Putin claims Kerry 'lied' about Syria

Russia is a staunch supporter of the Assad regime, and has resisted any military action against the government in Syria by the U.N. or Western powers.

December 20, 2015

Hillary Clinton backs President Obama's push for strike in Syria

A senior administration official tells 91±¬ÁÏ Clinton has told the White House she is supporting its mission to pursue a targeted response to the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons.