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US Defense Secretary: Pentagon Ready to Help Protect Syrian People
Voice of America ^
| Thursday, April 19, 2012
| Cindy Saine
Posted on 04/19/2012 7:10:59 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a congressional panel on Thursday that the Pentagon is providing "nonlethal aid" to the civilian-led opposition in Syria and that it is preparing additional measures if it becomes necessary to help protect the Syrian people.
Amid concern from some members of the U.S. Congress that the United States might be planning a military intervention similar to one in Libya last year, Panetta said there are similarities, but also important differences in the two situations.
He testified before the House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee, saying the United States stands with the Syrian people...
Panetta told the panel that the United States is sending "nonlethal" aid to the Syrian opposition, including communications and medical equipment. The Pentagon also is providing $25 million of humanitarian relief...
The Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Howard "Buck" McKeon, and the committee's ranking Democratic member, Adam Smith, said they are opposed to U.S. military intervention in Syria at this time...
Several lawmakers expressed concern that the White House is preparing to intervene in Syria militarily, similar to last year's Libya operation that some of them opposed, without first getting authorization from Congress...
Panetta said President Barack Obama would act in consultation with international partners, and in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, working with Congress...
Panetta said that Syria is different from Libya in several important aspects. He said President Assad still appears to enjoy the support of a large segment of the Syrian military and that Arab countries are not lined up in support of military intervention. But Panetta said the intelligence community feels that the insurgency in Syria is so broad-based that Assad ultimately will be forced from office.
(Excerpt) Read more at voanews.com ...
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: leonpanetta; syria
- Pentagon leaders say they're planning more options for Syria and will be ready | Washington Post | 10 minutes ago | WASHINGTON | US military leaders clearly expressed reluctance about using American might to stop the unending violence in Syria, insisting that diplomacy remains the best option to force President Bashar Assad to end the brutal crackdown on his own ...
- Pentagon: America will be ready if needed in Syria | The Associated Press | 16 minutes ago | By DONNA CASSATA, AP | 1 minute ago WASHINGTON (AP) | US military leaders clearly expressed reluctance about using American might to stop the unending violence in Syria, insisting that diplomacy remains the best option to force President Bashar Assad ...
- US military planning, but diplomacy still goal for dealing with Syria | CNN (blog) | 3 hours ago | By Mike Mount The United States military is continuing to plan for various military options for Syria, but US and international diplomatic efforts will remain the primary effort to pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government to step ...
- Obama Administration Hedges Its Bets on Syria | U.S. News & World Report (blog) | 5 hours ago | The Obama administration has firmly resisted calls for US military intervention in Syria's civil unrest, but two senior officials on Thursday were hedging Washington's bets. The administration, in public statements and private meetings, ...
- US Defense Secretary: Pentagon Ready to Help Protect Syrian People | Voice of America | 5 hours ago | April 19, 2012 US Defense Secretary: Pentagon Ready to Help Protect Syrian People Cindy Saine | Capitol Hill US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a congressional panel on Thursday that the Pentagon is providing "nonlethal aid" to the civilian-led ...
- Syria Turmoil's Spread Risks Spilling Across Borders | BusinessWeek | 6 hours ago | By Viola Gienger on April 19, 2012 The spread of Syria's turmoil and uncertainties over its chemical and biological weapons pose escalating risks, President Barack Obama's top military adviser said even as he cautioned against immediate US involvement.
- US military has contingency for civilian safe havens if Syria violence escalates | The Guardian | 7 hours ago | US defence secretary Leon Panetta disclosed Thursday the Pentagon has plans in place for establishing humanitarian corridors in Syria, an idea publicly aired by French president Nicholas Sarkozy earlier in the day in Paris. Panetta, giving evidence to ...
- Panetta 'skeptical' of Assad's intentions | Al-Arabiya | 8 hours ago | US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the events of recent days were testing whether the Assad regime will live up to all of its responsibilities. (Reuters) By AFP US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta voiced "deep skepticism" Thursday over the Syrian ...
- Leon Panetta: US military planning for greater role in Syria conflict | Christian Science Monitor | 10 hours ago | US military officials are crafting possible new strategies to 'protect the Syrian people' from the Assad regime, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday on Capitol Hill. NATO's Libya intervention may be a model. By Anna Mulrine, Staff writer ...
1
posted on
04/19/2012 7:11:08 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...
Long road to freedom: Seven reasons why Syrian protesters have so far failed to topple Assad
Christian Science Monitor
4. Dialogue with the regime -- Dialogue with the regime hurts the cause of democracy in Syria because Assad is either unwilling or unable to reform and will work instead on co-opting and dividing the opposition movement through the offer of ultimately non-substantive dialogue. Assad's two-pronged strategy of repression and concession is meant to divide the opposition movement by giving its members false hopes and bogus promises to address their demands.
2
posted on
04/19/2012 7:12:24 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: SunkenCiv
NNNnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3
posted on
04/19/2012 7:13:23 PM PDT
by
GeronL
(The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
To: GeronL
LEON: : “We’re going to really boost their economy....gonna send the presidents Secret Service detail over there to spread around some major cash.”
4
posted on
04/19/2012 7:21:29 PM PDT
by
jmax
(Goooooooooooooo NAVY .......)
To: SunkenCiv
Hey Leon! Have you checked with Ivan about this? How about the Chinese? I'm sure the Persians will be on board.
Has 0bama checked in with Putin about this?
5.56mm
5
posted on
04/19/2012 7:22:14 PM PDT
by
M Kehoe
6
posted on
04/19/2012 7:25:06 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: M Kehoe
7
posted on
04/19/2012 7:26:14 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: SunkenCiv
“He testified ... saying the United States stands with the Syrian people.”
There was a time when the United States stood for the American people.
8
posted on
04/19/2012 7:26:46 PM PDT
by
tumblindice
(Our new, happy lives.)
To: jmax
9
posted on
04/19/2012 7:27:36 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: GeronL
10
posted on
04/19/2012 7:27:36 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: SunkenCiv
They’ll help out the Muslim Brotherhood any way they can just like they did in Libya.
11
posted on
04/19/2012 7:32:50 PM PDT
by
Jack Hydrazine
(It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)
To: SunkenCiv
12
posted on
04/19/2012 7:39:21 PM PDT
by
GeronL
(The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
To: SunkenCiv
So I guess he (O) is a Sunni?
To: SunkenCiv
All we have to do is look at a map. Hussien and his Brotherhood are encircling the Mediterranean. This is a feat only accomplished by the Romans.
14
posted on
04/19/2012 7:55:21 PM PDT
by
logitech
(Who's here so vile, that will not love his country? If any speak, for him I have offended)
To: tumblindice
Shades of Clinton and Bosnia....
15
posted on
04/19/2012 7:55:34 PM PDT
by
griswold3
(Big Government does not tolerate rivals.)
To: SunkenCiv
WTF? How are America's vital national interests served by engaging with the military in Syria?
16
posted on
04/19/2012 8:06:18 PM PDT
by
starlifter
(Pullum sapit)
To: SunkenCiv
Panella has no say in anything anymore, Generals of JCS to him to shove it
17
posted on
04/20/2012 3:22:21 AM PDT
by
SF_Redux
(Sarah stands for accountablility and personal responsiblity, democrats can't live with that)
To: SF_Redux
Panella has no say in anything
—
Panetta did however tell the Israeli's that Obama’s secret appeasement of the Iranians is going well, and that the Iranians are taking the opportunity to proceed faster toward a nuclear weapon, while continuing to increase efforts to hide more stuff.
With Tel Aviv gone, the Jewish problem will be solved, with NYC gone, income redistribution will proceed faster, with Rome gone, Catholics and Christians in general will be on the run. After those events Obama can relax.
18
posted on
04/20/2012 5:20:51 AM PDT
by
PIF
(They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
To: starlifter
How are America's vital national interests served by engaging with the military in Syria?
—
Your and our vital interests are not the same as Obama’s vital interests ...
Engaging militarily with the Syrians means going through the Russian naval group stationed at Tartus first. With China heavily involved in Syria as well - this is looking more and more like some prophecy from Nostradamus.
19
posted on
04/20/2012 5:30:02 AM PDT
by
PIF
(They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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