February 7th, 2012
07:28 PM ET

FIRST ON CNN: U.S. military beginning review of Syria options

By Barbara Starr

Although the U.S. focus remains on exerting diplomatic and economic pressure on Syria, the Pentagon and the U.S. Central Command have begun a preliminary internal review of U.S. military capabilities, CNN has learned.

The options are being prepared in the event President Barack Obama were to call for them. Two senior administration officials who spoke about the review to CNN emphasized that U.S. policy for now remains the use of non-military options.

The focus on diplomatic options was underscored by the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

"Before we start talking about military options, we very much want to ensure that we have exhausted all the political, economic and diplomatic means at our disposal," Ambassador Susan Rice said on CNN's “Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”

The president has also said that the U.S. is working on non-military options first.

"I think it is very important for us to try to resolve this without recourse to outside military intervention, and I think that's possible," Obama said in an interview with NBC News that aired during the Super Bowl on Sunday.

But the military is beginning to look at what can be done.  One of the senior U.S. officials called the effort a “scoping exercise” to see what capabilities are available given other U.S. military commitments in the region.

Both officials pointed out that this type of planning exercise is typical for the Pentagon, which would not want to be in the position of not having options for the president, if and when they are asked for.

It would be Gen. James Mattis, head of U.S. Central Command, who would provide details on what U.S. military assets are available, what missions they could perform if asked, and what risks U.S. forces might face.

“The Pentagon is closely monitoring developments in Syria.  It wouldn’t be doing its job if it didn’t put some ideas on the table,” one of the senior U.S. officials told CNN. “But absolutely no decisions have been made on military support for Syria.”

The two officials were not willing to be identified because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Typically those types of options are held by the Pentagon as very preliminary plans and not even forwarded to the White House unless asked for. If asked, plans are then fleshed out with specific units to support them.

In this type of analysis being done, the military would typically look at all options ranging from humanitarian relief, to support for opposition groups, as well as outright military strikes, although that is an unlikely option, both officials said.

“This remains a campaign to apply economic and diplomatic pressure,” the first official said.

The military’s work to analyze potential military options for Syria has been quietly going on for several weeks, two administration officials confirm to CNN. The bulk of the analysis is being done by staff of General Mattis, who would be the senior commander if the President were to order any action.

Mattis’ analysis is being shared with General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who would then present options to the White House, if it came to that.

“We don’t want to be in the position of suddenly dusting off some five year old plan,” one official said.  The official emphasized the work is extremely preliminary but said the military would look at a full range of contingencies.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services committee, told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. should consider "all options including arming the opposition."

But U.S. officials said that adding weapons into the volatile and violent situation is not a viable option.

"We never take anything off the table. The president does (or) doesn't. However, as the president himself made absolutely clear and as the secretary has continued to say, we don't think more arms into Syria is the answer," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

soundoff (2,382 Responses)
  1. J Brock

    "But U.S. officials said that adding weapons into the volatile and violent situation is not a viable option."

    Why not? It's been done before, at home and abroad.

    February 9, 2012 at 12:20 am | Reply
  2. jimbo

    wow...finally, something liberals and conservatives can agree on! Nobody wants to see Obama try to pull some more "kinetic military activity" bs in another arab he**hole!

    Obama supporters are, by definition, anti-war. Conservatives don't believe this guy is qualified to operate a can opener.

    I seem to remember a flurry of high level trips to Syria back in 2006...Nancy Pelosi sucking up to Assad...some kerfuffle about whether she can set US foreign policy as speaker.

    Military intervention is off the table, but Assad is absolutely a bad actor. You can't leave it to the domesic resistance, or else you get a Libya or Egypt...or worse, you'd get a West Iran...

    Maybe that's what we're heading for...a proxy war with Iran/Russia/China playing out in the wake of Assad's death or removal

    February 9, 2012 at 12:16 am | Reply
    • lsxsx

      It is ALREADY a west Iran

      February 9, 2012 at 12:30 am | Reply
    • Bob

      I don't think this is the only thing the left and right agree on. The congressional approval rating now stands at 10 give or take 4 points. 86% of Americans disapprove. I'm guessing the only Americans who approve are in mental institutions.

      February 9, 2012 at 12:43 am | Reply
    • rich

      yeah obama should do kinetic actions in his arab hole... cause he's an arab... he should act in his own hole...

      February 9, 2012 at 2:43 am | Reply
  3. rbblum

    Really, now, since the Middle East will not be in a state of natural peace until there is an ultimate, military conflict, would it not be more practical to determine whether Hillary's public appearance is more appealing in a drab pant suit with a normal hairstyle than in a normal dress with a drab, pull-back hair style?

    February 9, 2012 at 12:15 am | Reply
  4. John fq

    Where is Iron man/ Mr Tony stark when you need him?

    February 9, 2012 at 12:10 am | Reply
  5. CopyKatnj

    "There are three reasons I deal with women: sex, money, or making me sandwiches. And unless she's planning on going into my kitchen and slapping some ham between two slices of bread... this conversation is over." Syrian President {parody)

    February 8, 2012 at 11:56 pm | Reply
  6. rich

    WARMONGERING AT ITS BEST....RON PAUL 2012 OR MORE OF THE SAME

    February 8, 2012 at 11:56 pm | Reply
  7. betamale

    I'm confused what are the 'Syria developments" which are so dire that we have to get involved in another pointless war? Is it just me, or is this article very unclear on what exactly we're trying to solve? I'm so completely tired of war after war.

    Guess it's Ron Paul 2012 or bust....

    February 8, 2012 at 11:50 pm | Reply
    • Mustang

      You must not have been following any news at all for the past several months. The straight up slaughter of thousands of civilians is a recent "Syria development" that needs to be solved, and absolutely justifies war. Ask any civilian in Homs whether or not it would be a, as you say, "pointless war". Turn on a TV and learn a thing or two about whats going on in our world. Oh, and in Afghanistan, vehicles are blown up, fire fights are drawn out, and people die every single day, and the majority of the people in the States barely even notice, so don't complain about being "so completely tired of war" unless you've been there and suffered alongside everyone else there.

      February 9, 2012 at 12:38 am | Reply
      • rich

        shows how gullible you are to respond to this guy and tell him it's because of syrian civilians being slaughtered. The syrian government has only killed terrorists in its country. Alqueda terrorists is the 400 that were killed. They didnt kill their own civilians. that's just propaganda so that you support the war and to make it looks justified. SAme as in Libya. pretty obvious if you are a professor of history and military actions as I am.

        February 9, 2012 at 2:47 am |
    • Buddy

      Seems as if Ron Paul is the only hope for no war and, correspondingly, for no financial break-down of the USA union.

      February 9, 2012 at 1:09 am | Reply
  8. ElPolacko

    Syrian soldiers fight like a South American army. They can REALLY tear up unarmed civilians but when they go up against REAL soldiers they get their asses kicked. We could probably defeat the Syrian Army with a few unmanned drones. The Army MUST know they are committing crimes against their own people. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes when this is over.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:49 pm | Reply
    • rich

      people like you are so retarded to believe that the military is killing its own people. the military has its own family out there and that's not whats happening. the military is attacking terrorists that are not syrian people. you are brainwashed.

      February 9, 2012 at 2:50 am | Reply
  9. Steve Martin

    The White House held an Emergency Meeting. The group hypervintilated for five-minutes before vomiting out their nerves into the nearest trash-can. A hastily assembled bunch-of-bagels were brought in and everyone chomped on them quickly, to buy time and avoid dealing with the situation. As tension mounted one person whispered, "shouldn't we remove the Communist Manifesto from the table?" At which, quick action was taken. As the panic died down, and no decisions were made, the cast of Socialists retired to their bedrooms where they enjoyed troublesome sex.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:43 pm | Reply
    • ElPolacko

      That's probably closer to the truth than we imagine. How did these fools get in power? Oh now I remember....voter fraud!!!

      Those UNDOCUMENTED DEMOCRATS sure can pick 'em!

      February 8, 2012 at 11:53 pm | Reply
      • mike burke

        pick em. like rush's nose at the super bowl- or sandy oconnor anointing dumbya over gore

        February 9, 2012 at 12:10 am |
    • lee mann

      That was a West wing episode,salted bagels if I remember correctly , the sex was forced ,unloving. Martin Sheen full frontal ,while the band played A Long Way to Tipperary.

      February 9, 2012 at 12:54 am | Reply
  10. gman

    We keep giving people of the world the opportunity to endorse our philosophy of freedom and liberty and in the end they revert to the way they have always lived. That's why things never change in that region of the world. We don't need to get involved in any more nation building because we've had a pretty poor track record of doing that. And in the meantime, our young men and women are losing their lives for people that never embrace what they could have. Defending ourselves and our nation should be job one. Teaching a man to fish is great if he picks up the pole each day on his own. I'm a strong conservative and McCain's an idiot.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:38 pm | Reply
    • glashole

      Ditto, and lets take care of our borders.

      February 8, 2012 at 11:49 pm | Reply
    • No Guns = No Freedom

      Did you see ABC news yesterday or Monday showing fighting in Syria? Did you see the mom in the usual long dress and head scarf screaming, pounding her head with both hands because the government gunners had shot off her little boy's foot? The reporter was translating. She screamed Give Us Guns Give Us Guns Give Us Guns So That We Can Defend Ourselves!! Oh boy do we owe Madison, Jefferson and that brilliant bunch of GREAT men who protected us by having our Founding Documents give us the Constitutional Right to keep and bear Guns. We might be the only country ever on the face of this planet who have that right, and thugs have tried since our Founding to take them away from us... even that jewess Supreme Court Judge was telling Egypt not to model their Constitution after ours... to use Europe or other... That babe swore an Oath of Office to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, yet set her boney butt arrogantly saying she had to work under a Constitution that was too old. Hey, everybody send that skank a mirror. Yeah, that's why she wants to defame our Great Constitution, because she wants those Arab countries to have tyrants and doesn't want the people to have guns to point at the heads of tyrants like WE CAN DO HERE. If it weren't for our Constitution, including our guns, that INGRATE would be speaking German if able to speak at all. She is a TRAITOR to the USA because she has defamed our Founding Document. OUT OUT OUT.

      February 9, 2012 at 12:00 am | Reply
      • Buzz

        This current radical America hating president we now have in the White House wishes we were like the citizens of Syria, unarmed. Well mister president, we do cling to our guns and religion and don't you forget it. We are a well armed citizenry.

        February 9, 2012 at 12:19 am |
      • Distressed Seven

        And to think the morons in Congress like the witch of the Arkansas Nightmare are going to set the Syrians "free"? What a joke. The control junky mama herself. What does that freak have in her to get on the front of Drudge. She's so freaking ugly she'd stop a camel in its tracks. I am serious. Wretched she is. We leave every place we go worse than it was. Tunisia? People want the old regimes back. Seriously. Egypt. Sharia law now. Libya. Doctors without borders claims there are more torture cases than ever. Black Sub-Saharan peoples are on the death lists, because they lived well under Ghaddafi, and supported him. One of the highest literacy rates in Africa Libya had, now they are under Sharia law. FOX, CNN will not cover this. We screwed up Iraq. We are screwing up Afghanistan and we are losing ground in our latest Viet Nam charade. Yet! At our border over 60K people counted have been killed in the last 10 years, in drug terror and drug army battles with the Mexican Army, who have asked us to intercede fairly in this deadly war. Our response? Go to Syria. We are a laughable joke and I really understand fully why the rest of the world hates. They are not jealous of us. They can't stand the smell of our loony stupidity. We are 30 years late for a revolution.

        February 9, 2012 at 12:49 am |
      • rich

        everyone who is a member of the CFR and bilderberg group are terrorists and guilty of treason

        February 9, 2012 at 2:53 am |
  11. wal man

    Wonder what China and Russia will do if the U.S. goes into Syria. The warmongers in this country apparently haven't had enough.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:38 pm | Reply
    • dave

      there'll be war...probably ww3...and guaranteed the Zionists will have had NOTHING to do with startin it....take that to the bank

      February 9, 2012 at 12:13 am | Reply
  12. Pancho

    Better yet, maybe NO parachute.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:37 pm | Reply
  13. Pancho

    Better yet, maybe on parachute.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:37 pm | Reply
  14. Pancho

    Why don't we strap a parachute on Odumba and drop him in.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:36 pm | Reply
    • Tim

      Why bother with the parachute?

      February 9, 2012 at 3:10 am | Reply
  15. J Wilkes

    Where is the Arag League this time ? Let's suggest they do the " latrine patrol duty" this time.

    What is obvious...is the Arab Spring is turning into the Arab Winter.
    Jihadist Intolerant thugs .....are not what the
    free world ,women & other religions are looking for.

    We have a [Chicago punk] we send home. That'll allow us to clean up our own mess first.
    So!!!.... check back with American... on Nov 5th.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:33 pm | Reply
    • Pancho

      The arab league is lookng for little boys.

      February 8, 2012 at 11:38 pm | Reply
  16. Bill S.

    Great telling photo of Hillary. And I thought Pelosi was 'bat-sh*t crazy".

    February 8, 2012 at 11:33 pm | Reply
    • Pancho

      Can you imagine looking at that every day ?
      Holy cow, and cow it is.

      February 8, 2012 at 11:39 pm | Reply
      • mike burke

        right. she sure aint no callistula

        February 9, 2012 at 12:19 am |
    • dave

      oh please she's gorgeous.....gorgeously fuuuuuuuuuuuglyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

      February 9, 2012 at 12:10 am | Reply
  17. Johnny Be Good

    Can't you see this is all happening to get you to wake up. Obedience to biblical law made us great, that was our founding not the US Constituion. Want to be free-Obey.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:27 pm | Reply
  18. ElPolacko

    I think we should take ANY opportunity to strike back at the Iranians. It's time they found out that we are NOT paper tigers.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:23 pm | Reply
    • Joseph

      are you amongst the ranks of our military saying this?

      February 8, 2012 at 11:25 pm | Reply
    • badgerboy23

      We are paper tissue kittens in the eyes of the world as long as Obama is at the controls. I am non-military–but I read history. Especially the history of Neville Chamberlain and Hitler in the late '30's. Apparently Obama marked himself "Present" and went to the smoking lounge with the rest of the non-readers at Harvard and missed the class.

      February 8, 2012 at 11:40 pm | Reply
    • Pancho

      It's a good thing for the civilized world when moslems are killing each other.
      I hope they keep up the good work.

      February 8, 2012 at 11:41 pm | Reply
    • mike burke

      right. youre a paper asshole

      February 9, 2012 at 12:20 am | Reply
    • Buddy

      But we are paper tigers – – at least our paper money is. Another big cost like a war will just about finalize tearing our paper money up so that our living standard will plummet. Some of these war mongers won't care until it's too late.

      The point has arrived where it's choosing between guns and butter; we won't be able to have both this time around. I for one am simply not up to being (and financing) the world's policeman. My father fought in the war to end all wars (WWI); I was in the US Army in WWII. Neither did any lasting good. But here we are again, blowing our people and wealth on another adventure. What's that definition of insanity??

      February 9, 2012 at 1:30 am | Reply
    • rich

      you said strike back... they never striked for us to strike back

      February 9, 2012 at 2:55 am | Reply
  19. JHarnes

    Why is it that the very people most critical of Bush's wars keep getting us involved in new conflicts? Why must the US be the world's policeman? Why must we support a popular uprising that will just create another religious controlled state. Let's be real – why waste our money and put servicemen and women in danger.

    Right now all US troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan and once out – all funding to Pakistan should be cut. Our budget debt is growing every day – we need to cut back on this madness.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:20 pm | Reply
    • Dave

      A Democrat friend of mine is foaming at the mouth to invade Syria. WTFO? How is Iraq a "bad" war and Syria a "good" one? Obama is playing with fire..

      February 8, 2012 at 11:28 pm | Reply
      • Pancho

        Why don't we strap a parachute on him and Odumba and drop them in ?

        February 8, 2012 at 11:43 pm |
  20. Jerry Irwin

    If we get involved in Syria like we did in Libya by using the U.N. as an excuse we will create another Al Qaida and
    muslim brotherhood terrorist state like we did in Libya. I was posting that the so called fredom fighters were terrorists
    and we were helping them while it was going on. Obama achieved another one of his goals to help his terrorist buddies
    take over another country. If he gets us involved in Syria it will be the same thing.
    Great picture of Hillary, It shows who she really is. A MEAN SPIRITED UGLY WITCH.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:20 pm | Reply
    • dave

      BUT ISN'T SHE BEAUTIFUL....I MEAN FUUUUUGLYYYYY...NO WONDER BILL HAD HUNDREDS OF WHORES

      February 9, 2012 at 12:09 am | Reply
  21. Demosthenes

    Obama lied, people died. War for oil. Meet the new guy, same as the last guy. What a fraud.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:20 pm | Reply
  22. exexpat

    Shhhhhh, America, dont mention Waco. Wouldn't want to look like a hypocrite would you?

    February 8, 2012 at 11:20 pm | Reply
  23. Joseph

    Why? If we help them, they'll hate us, if we don't they'll hate us...... Why risk our service members?

    February 8, 2012 at 11:15 pm | Reply
    • Pancho

      A well placed thermo-nuclear device would make a coffee table of the entire region.
      Then the survivors could go back to following their sheep around, which is their natural calling.
      Oil only confuses them.

      February 8, 2012 at 11:45 pm | Reply
      • mike burke

        following sheep around? they be right behind ya newtie

        February 9, 2012 at 12:22 am |
  24. SJ

    "we don't think more arms into Syria is the answer," Too bad Russia doesn't have that policy.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:09 pm | Reply
  25. Tony

    We have not compelling reason to order our troops to get involved. In every conflict where "the people" are pushing for "democracy", whether Egypt, Lybia, Syria, Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, we will learn to dread the end product because the democracy they will get will look just like a Caliphate under the iron rule of Islamists.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:09 pm | Reply
  26. jlfliberty

    It's very interesting how CNN spins and reports mostly liberal news. Important issues like religious freedom over forcing the church to condone contraception distribution id buried and hardly mentioned. I've noticed this on many things. Of course they will probably also prevent this comment as they have done to me many times. Does CNN not know free peoples are watching the press.

    February 8, 2012 at 11:09 pm | Reply
    • Mac Man

      Sure they know it, but they don't care. The aim of CNN and other liberal news sources (that means most of them) is to sway the ignorant...the folks who won't look deeper than the surface to learn what's really happening. They're also the ones who decide elections.

      February 8, 2012 at 11:34 pm | Reply
  27. elm

    All this talk of Zionist control. How about a common heritage beginning with the Bible as a reference point for our support of the Jewish state; maybe 6,000,000 more reasons because of Europe's turning away from their Christian and against their Jewish heritage. Bankers are not the reason – it this the child-like minds of the Arabs and Islamic populations where less than one-of-ten followers of Mohammend can read, hence they "listen" to the Koran's teachings. Kinda reminds me of CNN, ABC, CBS and MS-NBC who parrot what the DNC's talking points are day after day. Democrats somehow hate Religion except when they can bash for political gain.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:54 pm | Reply
    • Bradley Dueringer

      CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC.... on and on and also Reuters and AP are owed by Jews. The Rothschilds own Reuters and AP. So do you still think you get good information about the arabs from your sources. Don't you find it strange that all of our wars seem to be against Israel's enemies. Don't you find it strange that the biggest breaker of UN sanctions is Israel. Don't you find it strange that The MSM does not tell you how racist a country Israel is. I could go on and on but if you are a shill I am spinning my wheels and if you are uninformed, maybe you will do some further research before sharing your ignorance openly.

      February 8, 2012 at 11:06 pm | Reply
      • jlfliberty

        Hate Jews huh?

        February 8, 2012 at 11:10 pm |
      • SAQ

        Ted Turner is a Jew????? I didn't know that. Wow. Live and learn.

        February 8, 2012 at 11:25 pm |
    • jlfliberty

      I

      February 8, 2012 at 11:08 pm | Reply
  28. Max

    Let them kill each other.
    The only good thing about Muslims is that they kill more Muslims than anyone.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:52 pm | Reply
  29. Teddy Ballgame

    The Arab people are a failed people. They produce absolutely nothing for the world. All they have is oil and dictators. They have no universities that anybody wants to go to. They kill each other when they cannot reach Westerners. We need to stay out of that freaking place. Let them kill each other.
    Obozo will go to war just to get re-elected and I hope Americans are smarter than that.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:48 pm | Reply
  30. JOHN DALTON

    KNOW WHAT. I COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT SYRIA. LET MUSLIM KILL MUSLIM.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:46 pm | Reply
  31. Bradley Dueringer

    The control freak Rothschild banks and Zionists that run this world want to remove the existing government in that country and install their puppets and their bank. Like they did in Libya. Iran is next on the list.

    They don't like governents and banking systems they don't control and they will use any excuse to make the changes they need to have control.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:43 pm | Reply
  32. David Maxwell

    Keep in mind, this is the woman who supported the miscreants who spat upon our troops when they returned from battle.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:38 pm | Reply
  33. U LIE

    Let the islamos murder each other, that many less we have to use our own bullets on. If the communist obama wants to intervene, give him an M16 and dump him off a plane. Libya was BS and so is the communist islamo moslim USURPER osama obama.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:37 pm | Reply
  34. NoPinko

    If our Muslim friends called Condi the "Black Widow", then Hillary must be the "Wicked Witch of the West"!!!
    If I were Bill, well, I'd be off to London to soil a blue dress......

    February 8, 2012 at 10:35 pm | Reply
  35. Tonyl

    It's absolutely amazing that Americans have no clue how much control does Jewish and Israelis have control over US policies over their own nation. The wars are fought in the name of American security instead of te Jewish interests.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:34 pm | Reply
    • David Maxwell

      Sorry "Tony" your syntax betrays you.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:41 pm | Reply
      • lilthyme

        lol

        February 8, 2012 at 11:31 pm |
    • Bradley Dueringer

      I do and I know that the Zionist are behind all the latest wars. We give two thirds of all our foreign aid to three countrys... Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia and they are all wealthy countrys. We give it to Egypt and Saudia Arabia to support the puppet governments there and we give it to Israel because they have so much control over our country that it is amazing that so many people don't see it

      February 8, 2012 at 10:47 pm | Reply
  36. sandra

    What is wrong with this country? I am Canadian and used to feel proud to live here but now just want to run from this cheap ideology of entitlement to police the world on China's dime which by the way folks we are living on and they vetoed intervention...Just reality... Hello...They are Communist and so are the Russians rooted in it's ideologies. With images of Khadaffi killed by his own brutally which is the way of dictatorial phylosiphy including our own except we use "shock and awe" bombs to produce the same stuff... we are hated by the rest of the world and do any of you think than anyone would come to our rescue???? NO!!!!

    February 8, 2012 at 10:34 pm | Reply
    • Teddy Ballgame

      Go back to Canada.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:44 pm | Reply
      • juice

        That all you could come up with?...really?

        February 8, 2012 at 11:01 pm |
  37. Bob 350

    The question that needs asking is. Is Obama using US Military power to assist in installing a caliphate in the Middle East?
    As one of the above writers noted Christians always come out on the short end when this admin acts militarily. So if someone were to ask me I would have to say that the answer is yes that is exactly what is going on here.
    Couple this action with the assault on the Catholic church with the directive about birth control and I think Christians are under assault here as well.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:33 pm | Reply
    • CopyKatnj

      This is a very interesting, thoughtful comment and worth considering as a possible explanation to what the hell is going on.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:49 pm | Reply
    • rich

      the answer is... obama is making money... money money money... morons... its about money money money... its not about a stupid fucking nigger...

      February 9, 2012 at 2:58 am | Reply
  38. mmercier

    someone tell Matthew to get that scaryass picture of the witch off the site.

    she looks like a menapusal freakshow at a burgerking, ready to throw down over a wopper malfunction.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:31 pm | Reply
    • Lee

      Great call could not say it better...

      February 8, 2012 at 10:35 pm | Reply
    • Bradley Dueringer

      well said, she is one demonic piece of filth

      February 8, 2012 at 10:37 pm | Reply
  39. Baldy Kirby from Atlanta

    Good Lord...

    Could you envision looking at HILLARY and listening to her phony cackle for four years?

    'cause if Obama slides down any further, you'll be longing for the days when you had to listen to his droning self-admiration....

    Hillary is a-comin'....

    February 8, 2012 at 10:28 pm | Reply
  40. FGump

    Syria doesn't have a "country" but a Police state run by a mafia. If Assad's family gets killed off, another family rises to power. When will American's look at the world as it is, not as how it should be. Thousands of years of rivalries, feuds, family killings are not going to produce a Thomas Jefferson in Syria.

    Let them figure it out without our troops, weapons or troops, as they say, "God willing."

    February 8, 2012 at 10:28 pm | Reply
  41. Reis Kash

    The US has no vital interest in Syria. One of America's biggest ass-hats, Sen McCain, has called for our military intervention there which is a perfect argument for not getting involved. When Her Highness and Prince Obama start beating the war drums, there is absolutely no doubt that US military intervention in Syria is a world class mistake. I've paid my ticket in two wars of intervention and claim the right to object: it will be the young service people who will get killed in any Syrian-Iranian-Russian conflict and it's damned well not worth it!

    February 8, 2012 at 10:25 pm | Reply
    • Buddy

      The choice in 2008 election was McCain and Obama. That was no choice at all. This time there is a choice. I really think that Ron Paul is the only choice to get out of this warfare/welfare "merry-go round". But I'm really afraid that the war mongers will prevent his success. They know that war is beneficial for their kind of government.

      February 9, 2012 at 1:44 am | Reply
  42. Scott

    This from a Nobel Peace Prize winner.....

    February 8, 2012 at 10:24 pm | Reply
  43. DumpObama

    Well we are approaching election time and BO has got to prove his manhood.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:22 pm | Reply
    • Bigjasman

      I think you are spot on here. I think the more countries that are toppled during Obama's reign, the more ego strokes he gets. Change, indeed...

      February 9, 2012 at 12:24 am | Reply
  44. Albert Smith

    Just send arms to the Syrian resistance and let them butcher each other. I would love to see Assad's carcass paraded through the streets by Syrians....

    February 8, 2012 at 10:20 pm | Reply
  45. Randolph Phillips

    I am really pleased by the number of people who do not want us to stick our nose into Syria and "police" another country. syria is no threat, and we have no business interfereing in its affairs.

    The american people are tired of "policing" the world. We can't afford it anyway. The Cold War is responsible for the uncontrolllable Presidency and federal government. It is why we have the $15 trillion debt. Come home, america. Bring those jobs back home we sent to China and other thrid world "developing nations". Come hom and protect our borders from an illegal invasion. The Cold War is over.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:17 pm | Reply
  46. Falcon 11

    And that's her glamour shot.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:16 pm | Reply
  47. Kevin Gamble

    Muslims killing each other? LET THEM, I AM TIRED OF THIS USA HAVING TO STEP IN EVERY TIME!!!! STOP THIS GARBAGE, WE ARE DROWNING IN DEBT!!!! RON PAUL 2012 OR WE ARE DOOMED!!!!!!!!

    February 8, 2012 at 10:13 pm | Reply
    • Albert Smith

      I agree to get the hell out of there but I think Ron "Barney Fife" Paul is too much of a whack job to be president. You probably just want him to be president so he can legalize drugs....Frankly, I think all are idiots, to include our president.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:23 pm | Reply
    • Bradley Dueringer

      He is the only non-puppet of the elite and he is a good man, the only one who supports the constitution and sound money. The attackers of Ron Paul are either misinformed or shills, it is that simple

      February 8, 2012 at 10:51 pm | Reply
  48. rusty5158

    Reblogged this on Rusty5158 and commented:
    Syria and the Iran

    February 8, 2012 at 10:12 pm | Reply
  49. Charles Jandecka

    McCain says "the bloodletting has got to stop." Why? So our life blood can flow instead?
    Seven years in a North Vietnamese prison and he didn't learn a darn thing! How sad!!

    February 8, 2012 at 10:07 pm | Reply
    • Albert Smith

      McCain is a moron....a war hero, but a moron none the less.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:24 pm | Reply
  50. Stately Wayne

    Send Chelsea, Malia and Sasha......not my sons or daughters.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:06 pm | Reply
    • Speedy G

      nor my children ether.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:12 pm | Reply
    • Michael-In-Ohio

      Just so you know. The only way your sons or daughters would be sent in to war would be because the VOLUNTEERED to go. Our entire military force is VOLUNTARY! There hasn't been a draft in my lifetime and I'm 38. You baby boomers need to stop seeing everything through the lens of Vietnam. Times have changed. All those who are in combat signed up for the job. If they didn't realize what joining the military would entail, then who's fault is that?!

      February 8, 2012 at 10:17 pm | Reply
      • Stately Wayne

        I am a veteran. My oldest son fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, and #2 son will be commissioned in June. Spare us the lecture on the volunteer force. Again, let's see the children of our political masters put their skin in the game.

        February 8, 2012 at 10:24 pm |
      • mariner34

        Spoken like someone who has never served a day in his life. Soldiers join to defend this country not police someone else's. If people would stop paying lip service to our troops and actually support them they would vote Ron Paul 2012

        February 8, 2012 at 10:33 pm |
  51. William

    So, Obama wants his own little war and the media is OK with that. Funny, they were OK with Bill Clinton's many military adventures, too, but they railed about both Bush's wars and Reagan's. Funny how that works out, the 90% Democrat media carries water for warmongering Democrats but throws stones at Republicans who do the same.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:05 pm | Reply
    • CopyKatnj

      I agree with you. Funny how that always works out.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:53 pm | Reply
  52. Concerned

    How is America to be believed around the world when our sec of state looks and sounds like 'Aunt Bee' from Maberry? Actually, I think Hillary has done a fair job all things considered.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:03 pm | Reply
    • Chuck

      Aunt Bee was a sweetheart..............Hillary? well the photo is worth a thousand words

      February 8, 2012 at 11:16 pm | Reply
  53. Name*vietvet 68

    Do you think Bill is still sleeping with this hag?

    February 8, 2012 at 10:03 pm | Reply
  54. MuneShadowe

    B1tch, both Democrats and Republicans are tired of you people sending our children to war for the vested interest in big business and your kids get to stay in posh frat houses and go to collage. We are tired of dying for worthless causes.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:01 pm | Reply
  55. Albert

    As sad and maybe even a little inhumane, it's time to close our borders, start taking care of our own and let the religious fanatics in the middle east battle it out between themselves. They don't like or appreciate our meddling anyways so why bother? We're going broke policing the world. Enough is enough!

    February 8, 2012 at 10:00 pm | Reply
  56. izzydunne

    Clinton is a neo-con lunatic who wants to start WW3.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:00 pm | Reply
  57. jbspry

    When are we gonna start letting these a$$holes just kill each other off? This has been going on all my fifty-five year life and it's not one scintilla better than it was the day I was born. There is no changing that part of the world. We have two Holy Books filled with glorious stories of the wars and slaughter and genocide that they revel in, so its been going on for all of recorded history.
    Stop trying, United States.

    February 8, 2012 at 10:00 pm | Reply
  58. Shawn

    Give everyone who wants to attack any country over there – a pair of boots, a blue helmet and a french speaking commander and tell them to have at it! This is beyond stupid and anyone who supports this deserves to be sent over to promote it... hand to hand combat style – Obama and Hillary first!

    February 8, 2012 at 9:59 pm | Reply
  59. Name*vietvet 68

    Where's code pink?

    February 8, 2012 at 9:59 pm | Reply
    • Johnny Rocket

      code pink and Cindy Sheehan are still around, the media won't cover them when it's a demoncrat in office.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:15 pm | Reply
  60. G. Gepristands

    Hmm. Went into Kosovo messed things up real bad for the Christians. Went into Iraq, messed things up real bad for the Christians. Supported the Egyptian revolt, messed up things even worse for the Copts. Now Syria. Once again the Christians will be the losers. Good luck America.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:58 pm | Reply
    • MaggieLyn

      To: G. Gepristands

      Right on! You have it exactly right.

      February 8, 2012 at 10:11 pm | Reply
  61. yosarian

    How pathetic are the Arabs, despite all their bravado and tough guy, Bedouin crap. Why can't the Arab League handle this?

    February 8, 2012 at 9:58 pm | Reply
    • Al Izzy

      To: Barbara Starr,
      Why not ask the war monger talkers to get their kids into the service and defend this country. Its easy for these crooked politicians to talk big when none of their families is in the service. And if they was,,, you know they would be back stateside.

      February 9, 2012 at 1:08 am | Reply
  62. jbspry

    "a preliminary internal review of U.S. military capabilities"
    I'd say with two wars going on already the US's capabilities would be stretched trying to do crowd control at a Justin Bieber concert.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:56 pm | Reply
  63. Zang

    Can some one put that rabid dog down. Let Russia do the negotiating the USA doesn't know how to deal diplomatically.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:55 pm | Reply
  64. Curt Dunning

    Iran??? They mention everyone BUT Iran (including when they show the graphics of Syrias neighbors "Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel". I think Iran is a neighbor of Syria... I think there's a connection between Hezbullah and Syria too...so why doesn't CNN include Iran in the list of "neighbors"???
    I doubt it's an innocent oversight either. I'm scratching my head. No bias in journalism??? This brings that whole idea into question once again.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:52 pm | Reply
    • Curt Dunning

      ok...never mind...you learn something new every day...Iran is EAST of Iraq, and doesn't border Syria. Still...isn't there a connection between Iran and Syria in regards to terrorism???

      February 8, 2012 at 9:56 pm | Reply
  65. jorline

    Looks like Hillary's saying BITE THIS!

    February 8, 2012 at 9:51 pm | Reply
  66. Eric Keller

    Dear U.S.A,

    You know we don't have any money right? 15 Trillion in debt ringing any bells?

    Sincerely,
    *uck!ng Taxpayer

    February 8, 2012 at 9:51 pm | Reply
  67. Bs Detector

    Well, if the Ruthschild Bankers want us to go to war with Syria, what choice do we have?

    February 8, 2012 at 9:46 pm | Reply
  68. Tonyl

    The only reason to plan going in Syria is to be close to Iran. This is another strategy planned by the israeli and Jewish control of the US congress and the administration.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:45 pm | Reply
  69. betsp

    Obama is such a jerk. He and Clinton will do anything to get re-elected. Please someone tell me which side in Syria are the good guys? There aren't any good guys. They're all fruitcakes. We should stay out of it.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:44 pm | Reply
  70. BillH

    Here we go. Policeman to the world again. Somebody please explain how this is worth the loss of one American life and one taxpayer dollar. Memo to Hillary: What part of "We are broke" do you not understand?

    February 8, 2012 at 9:36 pm | Reply
  71. Dan Shays

    I'm sure the Assad regime is shaking in its jackboots.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:29 pm | Reply
  72. SinisterObama

    Brothers – where have you been. I feel like I've found my home. I've been wasting away at the Huffington Post fighting with all of those far left liberal losers. I always thought CNN's post-ers would be ultra lefties, but I've found a home with conservatives here. Now, mark my words. The mighty Obag will start a war before the elections to look like a tough guy and to try to harbor the votes of those who will be wary of changing commanders while we're at war. Hope not...

    February 8, 2012 at 9:27 pm | Reply
    • connman250

      I am putting on a good fight at Huff-Post. Most of them there are ill-imformed people, so I love to destroy them.

      February 8, 2012 at 9:58 pm | Reply
      • JustAGuy

        Well, what do you expect? They get their news from the echo chamber. They hear the same mis-information over and over from the usual suspects in the mainstream media.

        So they're certain of their opinions, no matter how unfactual and illogical those opinions may be.

        February 8, 2012 at 10:06 pm |
  73. owen

    Anyone doubt that BHO is a Muslim, who happens to hate Israel and the USA. That he and Hillary seem hell bent on removing leaders and installing the Muslim Brotherhood.

    My Thanks goes out to all the Women, Minorities, Liberals, and Blacks who put this guy into office...Thanks a lot.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:27 pm | Reply
    • SinisterObama

      Owen. Don't forget the self-hating professors.

      February 8, 2012 at 9:30 pm | Reply
  74. RHReese

    We should have been in Syria a year ago. People are dying, women and children. To hell with Russia and China. We need to stop this NOW!

    February 8, 2012 at 9:27 pm | Reply
    • jekyllisland

      So you are saying we should go to war again?

      Nice lib mindset you have there

      February 8, 2012 at 9:30 pm | Reply
    • JustAGuy

      It's too complcated. We should stay out of this one, just like we should have stayed out of Libya. It's a mess over there right now. Unfortunately, people have always been dying. There was a genocide going on in Rwanda while Bill Clinton was receiving hummers in the Oval Office. It is what it is.

      February 8, 2012 at 9:30 pm | Reply
    • omstrat

      I bet you were the biggest mouth screaming at Bush as being a war monger . Now that your Marxist moron president is in now it's cool to get into another war. F Syria , let them kill each other . They have been having tribal wars there for 10 thousand years . You're another knucklehead who actually believes these Middle East societies are anywhere close to developing a democratic culture. They may have jean and cell phones but they are still living in the 12th century.

      February 8, 2012 at 9:32 pm | Reply
      • JustAGuy

        The problem here in the west is all of the "smart people" impose upon other cultures our western values and then dictate what we should do to fix their mess.

        Yea, they hate each other and want to kill each other. But let us Kafir show up, then they all will begin hating us. Once we leave, they'll resume hating each other again. It's irrational, but then again, that's how they roll over there.

        February 8, 2012 at 9:37 pm |
      • JustAGuy

        ...continued, and THAT'S why there are so many totalitarian regimes in the Middle East! To keep warring tribes from killing each other. Remove the totalitarian regime, and all hell breaks loose. That's what's happening in Egypt AND Libya.

        February 8, 2012 at 9:39 pm |
      • John

        I was thinking the exact same thing!

        February 8, 2012 at 9:43 pm |
  75. rplat

    The attitude and behavior of this once great Republic is cowardly and disgraceful. The country lacks the will, determination, courage, and soon the resources to influence and defeat tyrants in the world. These are very sad times.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:23 pm | Reply
    • Johnny Rocket

      The attitude and behavior of this once great Republic is cowardly and disgraceful. The people lack the will, determination, courage, and soon the resources to influence and defeat tyrants in the USA and the UN. These are very sad times. ITS NOT our business! What if a civil war breaks out in America next month? Do you want other countries invading us? Who is funding the Syrian Rebels? Who funded the Libyan Rebels? Who founded Hamas? The Muslim brotherhood? thesis-antithesis-synthesis or problem-reaction-solution. The west causes the problem and then conveniently has a solution, and you fall for it every time.

      February 8, 2012 at 9:54 pm | Reply
  76. Gary Johnson

    "Wag the Dog", baby! It's an election year so start a war. It works every time....

    February 8, 2012 at 9:23 pm | Reply
  77. steve

    Should Israel still give the Golan back to these guys. Still UN policy.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:23 pm | Reply
    • JustAGuy

      Israel should give the Golan heights back if they're interested in committing suicide. The UN should not be allowed to dictate when a nation must commit suicide!

      February 8, 2012 at 9:24 pm | Reply
      • steve

        ok

        February 8, 2012 at 9:27 pm |
  78. fartoomuchfreetime

    They're just arabs. Let them have at it! they are the best at culling thier own herds when they breed outside their cultural (such as it is) limits. Just wait until iraq and iran get into it again, there will be real estate aplenty after the next round. Say I'm wrong! You know I'm not. 2K+ years of history back me up.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:22 pm | Reply
    • FGump

      Everyone expects a revolution in an Arab state to produce a George Washington. I'm sure Jimmy Carter thought Khameme would be just like the nice Baptist Preacher fellow down the street.

      The next guy in the door is worse than the last one was. That is their system. That adn an unworldly affection for bombs.

      February 8, 2012 at 9:48 pm | Reply
  79. The Big One

    Wars need to be started to continue with cultivating the one world order take over, so it is inevitable that nuclear war needs to be started in that region...its only a matter of time. obama is only a puppet...look past the puppet

    February 8, 2012 at 9:13 pm | Reply
  80. jms

    It is not our role nor our priority to intervene in Syria's civil war. Wouldn't it have been strange for a Middle Eastern country to have sent troops over to intervene in our War between the States?

    February 8, 2012 at 9:10 pm | Reply
    • Awe C'mon

      They did. they were just brought here without their consent. Thier Tribal Leaders and Kings SOLD them....just like you will be sold. Better wake up....Islam is NO religeon of PEACE.

      February 8, 2012 at 9:16 pm | Reply
    • chickenhawk_h8r

      Not you, but so many Chickenhawks here. It's just too good to spam.

      Muslim brothers, not everyone over here hates your children. It's only a Chickenhawk minority here that's never known what it's like to do an honest days work. God is great, and so is Al-lah.

      February 8, 2012 at 9:17 pm | Reply
      • Awe C'mon

        Get a life....and while you're at it....make some more cartoons for the children o the middle east that glorify SUICIDE BOMBERS. You flipping DOLT.....(look that one up burka boy)

        February 8, 2012 at 9:21 pm |
      • fartoomuchfreetime

        c'mon, you don't really believe that islam crap do you? 47 virgins? Please, somebody just made that up to give the hopeless hope. islam is just a 2nd century method of population control. Oooh-someone drew a cartoon of mud-hamma-off with their head! ain't we enlightened? nothing but sheep herding.

        February 8, 2012 at 9:29 pm |
    • Robert Brock

      Where is the Arab leugue in all this? Or OPEC? Or whatever...let the Arabs take care of their own. If only we had entered Iraq for oil!, Then it would have made some sense!
      Yeah! The US will end your war for 10 years worth of free oil!
      No way will any US President have the smarts to do something that helps the regular average tax-paying Joe!

      February 8, 2012 at 9:34 pm | Reply
  81. Sunnee

    Of course the war drums are now beating against Syria. Yes, terrible problems within that country, but as Rahm Emmanuel once said (he's the e=defacto mayor now of Chicago-former obamanite), "Never let a good crisis go to waste". Gee...this is a chance to get radical Islam into Syria, and, just like our none-war with Egypt-thanks to Obama, use our own boys, risking their precious lives, in order to do it. By the way...heard how Mexican cartels; violent gangsters; violent extremists are now invading our country...using the "unguarded" northern border?? All while Obama merrily goes around the country...campaigning and ignoring the governors of those bordering states. Heard too that a "weapon of mass destruction" was just smuggled into our country in November, in one of those unguarded sites. Obama may be president, but he is acting like a militant for Soros and the Occupy Movement in overthrowing this great country as fast as he can and now, doing it boldly...arrogantly.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:09 pm | Reply
  82. David Baker

    Sure, lets focus on Syria's unquestioned human rights' violations to deflect attention from Iran, on which this administration totally dropped the ball. Iran now, for all intents and purposes, has nuclear weapons and the Obama White House did virtually nothing to prevent this from happening. Which country presents a clear and present danger to the U.S. and its allies? Well, duh?

    February 8, 2012 at 9:08 pm | Reply
  83. Jon

    Who do they think they are kidding? 'Reviewing Syria options' means we already have undeclared special armed forces presence in Syria. Just like in Libya. This is a warmup to a purposeful, wider regional war. And, yes, likely domino-effect events towards WW3. Especially with Russia and China rumblings over all this.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:07 pm | Reply
  84. Jonathon

    Drop Barry and Hillary over there. Certainly, since he's so well loved and respected by muslim countries, he can convince them to stop misbehaving. If that doesn't work, he can have the UN draft a really, really strong letter to put on their permanent record. That should do it.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:06 pm | Reply
  85. liberTea

    The Obozos and the french PM needing his Libyan and Qatar oil started this crapola snowball. Middle East chaos gets them cleansing their neighborhoods so all the helpful ...humanist ...righteous ...do-gooders can stir up the pot...blur the lines and borders and bring the cockroaches they're sick of dealing with out into the daylight ...so that they can step in...win contracts to rebuild....renegotiate oil contracts...blah-de-blah-de-blah. The travesty of ALL these conflicts are the GOOD citizens ....the ones with honest to goodness ...decent motivations are going to be annihilated in the course of this mess...leaving only the "radicals". Radical mess...radical rule....everywhere! This planet is toast!

    February 8, 2012 at 9:05 pm | Reply
  86. Terry

    What a HAG! She looks like some sinister Communist gulag dyke.

    February 8, 2012 at 9:05 pm | Reply
    • omstrat

      She is

      February 8, 2012 at 9:35 pm | Reply
  87. Bob

    Why is the US even considering sending our youth over there to fight? This is so stinking wrong. There are many other Muslim Countries over there who could go in and help out with their own brothers and sisters.

    We need not go into any more Muslim Countries to do battle and risk loosing some of the finest young people this Country has to offer! Why on earth should we send our kids into Syria to get killed and wounded for the Muslim Brotherhood? What is it now? We go into these Countries and do the dirty work so their Country can be taken over and run by the same people who want to kill us?

    And Obama says he's a Christian? I don't believe that for a minuet. Everything he's done so far tells me where his heart is. And it ain't here for this Country or Christianity!

    February 8, 2012 at 9:01 pm | Reply
  88. JustAGuy

    IMPOSSIBLE!

    Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize, and the world loves Obama.

    February 8, 2012 at 8:59 pm | Reply
  89. mark

    clinton is an embarrassment like her husband.

    Get out of the Middle East and let Israel defend itself !! Israel has over 400 Nukes !

    February 8, 2012 at 8:56 pm | Reply
  90. sealdoc

    It really makes me feel safe and secure with the Clinton bitch handling the diplomacy for our country.

    February 8, 2012 at 8:55 pm | Reply
  91. Mackie S.

    Uh-huh – we all know what tyrannical dictators think of Hill-Hag's veiled threats - they stick their index, middle and ring fingers up in her rodent-like visage and tell her to read between the lines.

    February 8, 2012 at 8:54 pm | Reply
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