Senators Give Obama Cautious Support;Critical Hearing Next

Two prominent Republican senators feel the president is moving in the right direction on Syria.We still have significant concerns,but we believe there is in formulation a strategy to upgrade the opposition,said Senator John McCain,R-Arizona,after he and Senator Lindsey Graham,R-South Carolina,met with President Obama on the Syria crisis in the White House Monday.Senator Graham described it as "a solid plan."If the president loses the vote in Congress,it would be catastrophic,McCain said,damaging the credibility of the United States of America and the President of the United States.The two national security experts agreed to help push the president's military action plan on Capitol Hill.*General Salim Idris,commander of the Free Syrian Army,the leading rebel group,said they supported President Obama's plan to get congressional approval for a limited military strike against the Assad regime.We understand it and are sure it will make the decision stronger and encourage other countries to participate.The regime in Damascus can use chemical weapons again.They have committed countless crimes against humanity.They will use them again if there are no strikes,General Idris warned.*The fighters in the FSA are civilians who left their jobs and took up arms.Other fighters left the Syrian army.Many of the Islamic groups are moderate.A few are al-Qaida,General Idris admitted,but promised to ensure that any military aid would go to the right hands.For more than two and a half years,our people are suffering from the crimes of the regime,the rebel commander said.*I would be more concerned about the clarity of the mission and what it is we're trying to achieve,said General George Joulwan,former Supreme Allied Commander Europe.The challenge is not just military,but political and economic.We need a comprehensive strategy.*The US is the leader of NATO.We have to make it united.That would be a very clear signal to Syria.Leadership is what is required here,the retired NATO commander observed.*A public hearing on the president's plan will be held Tuesday afternoon.Appearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations will be Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel,as well as General Martin Dempsey,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.*Classified briefings on Syria for Members of Congress will continue throughout the week.Congress will go back into session next Monday,at which time the debate and vote on the president's plan will occur.*On the previous occasions in history,Congress has never refused to give a president their support for military action.

Syria:What the President Must Do

A new report coming out of Syria says that the Bashar al-Assad regime dropped an incendiary bomb such as napalm on a school playground,inflicting more horrible injuries on its own people.The focus of the international community,however,remains on its alleged chemical weapons attack of August 21,which killed up to a thousand Syrians.A team of UN inspectors remains in Syria tonight,collecting blood samples from the victims and interviewing them.They are planning to leave on Saturday and deliver their report next week.*At the same time,the US government will be releasing its own report based on the intelligence it has been gathering about the attack-probably on Friday.Reportedly this includes intercepts of conversations about the chemical weapons attack.We don't have the crib notes of Assad to his commanders,said Congressman Mike Rogers,R-Michagan,Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee,but when you put it all together,it is very clear that Assad was responsible.We know how the command and control works in these units.It was clear there was some degree of command and control being exercised.Looking at all the levels and the different pieces,the answer is definitely yes.*Under the War Powers Act,I don't believe there has to be a vote on military action,but you have to have these discussions with Congress.You have to bring the members in.I think the administration is obligated to do that,Congressman Rogers indicated.The president does not have to get Congress' approval for miltary action,added Senator John McCain,R-Arizona,an elder statesman on national security issues,but he is required to consult with Congress,and it would be in his best interest to conslut with Congress,rather than act in a unilateral fashion,the senator advised.*In that spirit,the Obama administration held a 90 minute conference call with members of Congress Thursday evening.Partcipating were Secretary of State John Kerry;Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel;National Security Advisor Susan Rice;and Director of National Intelligence James R.Clapper.According to a member of Congress on the call,the admisitration said it has no doubt the Syrian government was behind the attack,but no decision has been made on military action,and there is no timetable.They have a broad range of options.Both action and inaction on Syria carry risk and consequence,Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reportedly said on the conference call.

The US Embassy Crisis:Friday Prayers Regarded Warily

Today's Friday prayers in the Islamic world will not be routine.First,what the imams say at the prayers will be closely monitored.Inflammatory anti-US rhetoric could send enraged mobs into the streets outside US embassy compounds.Even if such messages are not spread by Muslim clergy,the period after Friday prayers is a traditional time for large protests in the Muslim world.US officials are gravely concerned about the safety of US citizens who may be doing business at US embassies on Friday.
As well,the controversy over an offensive anti-Islam video posted on YouTube will possibly encourage the rise of  homegrown radical groups and plots,or bring an increased risk of terrorist attacks within the US by foreigners.
Senator John McCain,R-Arizona,said we are seeing an effort to stir up trouble against the US using this bogus film.Egypt is of vital importance.These are very difficult times.This virus is probably going to spread through the Arab world.
We have to be very careful and measured in our response.Egypt has gone from a staunch ally to a country seeking its own way.Its going through a significant transformation.It's in our interest to have a working relationship with them,given their importance in the Arab world.
Libya is a weak government,but the Libyan people want us and are grateful to us.They voted for moderates,not Islamists.They do have porous borders.They need technical assistance.
The political ticktock is not something I'm paying attention at at this time of the sacrifice of Ambassador Chris Stevens and the three other brave Americans,Senator McCain added.Chris Stevens' life was under threat every single hour of every day.
Besides Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens,killed in the Benghazi consulate rocket attack were US Air Force veteran and computer expert Sean Smith;former US Navy SEAL and security specialist Glen Doherty;and his security colleague Tyrone Woods,also a former SEAL.
Ansar al-Sharia,the Enforcers of Islamic Law,is one of the main militant  groups suspected to be behind the attack,despite their denial of complicity in the incident.Ansar al-Sharia has links to al-Qaida.
Anti-American protests have occurred in 11 countries from Casablanca,Morocco to Kashmir,India.