Hagel, Dempsey Warn of Involvement in Syria

[Purveyor]

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey both warned Congress on Wednesday about the unintended consequences of a U.S. military intervention in Syria. Hagel also provided the first details of the Pentagon's efforts in assisting Jordan's military for the possibility of having to secure Syria's chemical weapons stockpile, including $70 million worth of training and equipment.

Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee both Hagel and Dempsey cautioned that a U.S. military intervention in Syria could have unintended consequences and should be reserved as a "last resort."

Two years of fighting to bring down the regime of Syrian President Basher al Assad have killed an estimated 70,000 Syrians and created a million refugees. Both Democratic and Republican senators on the committee have advocated the Obama administration consider some form of U.S. military assistance to assist the Syrian opposition in the form of a no-fly zone or the establishment of a humanitarian aid corridor.

"We have an obligation and responsibility to think through the consequences of direct U.S. military action in Syria," said Hagel. He added that "military intervention at this point could hinder humanitarian relief operations. It could embroil the United States in a significant, lengthy, and uncertain military commitment."

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http://news.yahoo.com/hagel-dempsey-warn-involvement-syria-100035376--abc-news-politics.html

[TwilightGardener]

1. If Hagel actually supported military intervention in Syria, I'd be shocked. It would be out of

character for him--so I applaud his caution here. He knows interfering in a civil war with no good sides is a lose-lose, even as he has to sign off on more troops to Jordan. Even Dempsey changed his mind on arming rebels. But Obama and Kerry call the shots, and they are still insisting that Assad must go.