President Barack Obama may proceed with military action against Syria even without allied support, US officials have said.
But they stressed no final decision has been made on America’s response to the Syrian government’s alleged chemical weapons attack, which is said to have killed 1,300 people.
Veto-holding members of the United Nations are at odds over a draft Security Council resolution that would authorise “all necessary force” in response to the alleged gas attack.
The UK’s traditional role as America’s most reliable military ally was called into question when David Cameron became the first British prime minister in history to be blocked by MPs over the prospect of military action.
A chastened-looking PM, struggling to make himself heard over calls of “resign” from the opposition benches, told them “I get it” as he abandoned hopes of joining any US strike on Syria.
![US President Barack Obama](https://i0.wp.com/media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2013/8/28/256080/default/v1/pic1-2-522x293.jpg)
Speaking after the historic defeat, the White House said Mr Obama would decide on a response to chemical weapons use in Syria based on US interests, but that Washington would continue to consult with Britain.
British chancellor George Osborne acknowledged that the inability to commit British forces to any American-led operation against Assad would damage the special relationship between Westminster and Washington.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think there will be a national soul-searching about our role in the world and whether Britain wants to play a big part in upholding the international system, be that big, open and trading nation that I like us to be, or whether we turn our back on that.”
Sky’s Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall said the relationship between Britain and the US was “bruised but not broken”. “I don’t think there’s a divorce on the cards, a bit of bickering perhaps,” he added.
![David Cameron tells the House he "gets" the significance of the defeat](https://i0.wp.com/media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2013/8/29/256339/default/v1/cegrab-20130829-230305-349-1-522x293.jpg)
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, speaking on a trip to the Philippines, said: “It is the goal of President Obama and our government … whatever decision is taken, that it be an international collaboration and effort.”
America is mulling whether to strike Syria without UN backing despite some of the more hawkish figures in the US cautioning against military action.
Former president, George W Bush, told Fox News Mr Obama had a “tough choice to make” but would not be drawn on what he should do.
He added: “I was not a fan of Mr Assad. He’s an ally of Iran and has made mischief.”
Former Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who helped spearhead US invasions in Iraq and Afghanistan, said: “There really hasn’t been any indication from the administration as to what our national interest is with respect to this particular situation.”
![A U.N. chemical weapons expert is pictured during his visit to one of the sites of an alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus' suburb of Zamalka](https://i0.wp.com/media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2013/8/29/256275/default/v2/2013-08-28t144940z-156470124-gm1e98s1r3a01-rtrmadp-3-syria-crisis-1-522x293.jpg)
He said, if anything, the US should be more concerned with Iran.
Earlier, top US officials spoke to key Democrat and Republican politicians for more than 90 minutes in a conference call to explain why they believe the Syrian regime was responsible for the suspected chemical attack.
They have been pressing Mr Obama to provide a legal rationale for military action, and to lay out a firm case linking President Bashar al Assad’s forces to the attack.
Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, a senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said after the briefing that “strong evidence of the Assad regime’s continued use of chemical warfare” merited a military response.
It remained to be seen whether any sceptics were swayed by the call, given the expectation that officials would hold back classified information to protect intelligence sources.
“The main thing was that they have no doubt that Assad’s forces used chemical weapons,” New York Rep Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said after the briefing.
But he said officials did not provide much new evidence of that.
“They said they have (intercepted) some discussions and some indications from a high-level official,” he said, and that they possess intelligence showing material being moved in advance of the attack.
France announced that its armed forces “have been put in position to respond” if President Francois Hollande decides on military action.
He does not need French parliamentary approval to launch military action that lasts less than four months.
Moscow and Beijing have both vetoed previous Western efforts to impose UN penalties on Syria.
China has also been keen to show it is not taking sides and has urged the Syrian government to talk to the opposition and meet demands for political change.
Mr Assad, who has denied using chemical weapons, vowed his country “will defend itself against any aggression”.
Mr Obama has ruled out putting American forces on the ground in Syria or setting up a no-fly zone over the country.
He said any US response would be limited in scope and aimed solely at punishing Mr Assad for deploying deadly gases, not at regime change.
The most likely military option would be Tomahawk cruise missile strikes from four Navy destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
USA alone? Don’t favor that idea!!! Can we sit and watch ….. as the world seems to be doing?
Can the USA afford another war … in so many ways???
Reblog: http://hrexach.wordpress.com/
The USA has NO Money. I look at Obama just now he looks LOST. His eyes tell a story, he knows he may be the president that started WWIII and he knows it. This wasn’t his gig, not what he wanted or probably wants, but he is being shoved by American powers to act. This needs stopped, why not let the African league of nations sort it? It’s a Middle East issue, let them deal yeah? They won’t so it is left for the World Police to come to the rescue, and I mean that in the nicest way I can. The UK have said no, the vote was strong and the people say no also. But it has to stop.There has to be another way… x Thank you
Google Alan Grayson, democrat from Florida …. he gave interview to CNN … I’m going to try to post it, if I find it.
I strongly believe Grayson has MANY points!!!!
This?
Yes!!! He’s from my state. He’s always seems to be levelheaded …. and on the right side of issues!!
Nearly done watching, he makes brilliant points. He is saying what I did “It may not have been Assad” He brings up points like “We can’t go bombing countries when we feel like it” Brilliant what he said, Undeniable it is, he is right. There is not 100% proof here. Thanks for that link, he is 100% spot on.. x “We are not the world policeman” The USA needs more like Alan!
Yes!!! He was voted in several years ago and when the tea party got voted in, he was voted out. But …. we finally got him back in!! Yay … He’s been that way all the time I’ve known about him.
🙂
He is the type of person who should run in 2016, but after a good Google, the media don’t give him much time…Shame…
Yep!! 🙂
We agree then 🙂 x
🙂
🙂 he is good…
He is!! Check other things that he has done. There was one related to health care and the republicans solutions. That was a good one ….. their solution …. die soon!!
Yeah I seen that one, watched a few videos now. Would it be ok to do a more in-depth blog around the whole story? It really needs to be told..and seen..
I will do it here where I write also http://www.broowaha.com/
x
Do ahead, dear Shaun…… you wrote so well. Put it all together!!
Make sure I get to read it, please!! 🙂
You will be the first to get sent it..Promise..
Will have it done tomorrow night my time, so late afternoon your time..
x
Good … I will be looking forward to it! Shaun …. 🙂
I am 1/4 way through, will do the rest tomorrow, will be mainly about Healthcare and how America is letting it’s people down…I got called “Anti-American” for doing something similar before when clearly I was having a go at your Government 🙂
Will get it to you tomorrow unless I fall and break a knee or something 🙂
x
Awesome!! …. Healthcare here sucks!!!
Check this out:
She’s a dear friend. Is finally having surgery on Sept 3!!! After begging, running through the motions, etc.
She’s promised me an update … follow up to her story. 🙂
I will bookmark and read fully tomorrow, LOVE the end bit
“We ALL are ONE!! We ALL fight the fight!!!”
I am in with that kind of talk, oh yes! 🙂
That’s my usual ending … We ALL are ONE … always. Then the rest depends on the topic!!
🙂
We both have endings…How coooool 🙂
Mine is
“More love less hate”
Sometimes a simple message can spread..
Loving your style Doc x
Back at you Shaun!! Feeling is mutual!! 🙂
I know…x
Thanks Doc
The title says it all
Watch the Speech the Republicans Don’t Want You to See
122 Americans die PER DAY because they have no Healthcare? Shitting me. I like this Guy!! I loved Ron Paul, I think this lad is up there with his rhetoric
Star for you Doc x
Thanks Doc x
Sharing will make a difference….Together!
http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/alan-grayson-congressman-on-syria-and-healthcare-please-watch-and-reply/
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
USA alone? Don’t favor that idea!!! Can we sit and watch ….. as the world seems to be doing?
Can the USA afford another war … in so many ways???
Reblogged this on Brittius.com.