All DC Decoder
Will Syria crisis harm Hillary Clinton's chances in 2016?Hillary Clinton spoke out Monday for a strong international response in Syria. Her role as a loyal foot soldier for former boss Obama is hardly surprising. But it raises questions about her presidential prospects.
Russia's new Syria plan could turn 'quagmire into an easy win'Russia has seized on an offhand comment by US Secretary of State John Kerry and is proposing a plan to destroy Syria's chemical weapons. Syria is onboard, but the US is skeptical.
Plan B on Syria: Four options for Obama if Congress won't actIf President Obama fails to get Congress to go along with airstrikes against Syria over alleged use of chemical weapons, he can still act 鈥� though he would pay a price.
Obama鈥檚 full-court press on Syria: Confidence or desperation?Pushing his case for a US military response to chemical weapons in Syria, President Obama will do six TV interviews Monday. Other senior administration officials are flooding the airwaves as well.
How Europe just made Obama's Syria strike more complicatedThe European Union voted to back 'strong' action against Syria. But it made its support contingent on a UN report, adding a fresh variable to Obama's already difficult sales job.
Protesters outside the White House, Obama team makes case for attacking SyriaPresident Obama has just a few days to make his case on Syria before highly skeptical lawmakers vote on authorizing a US military attack. The response of possible allies, congressional head counts, and opinion polls illustrate his enormous challenge.
Syria vote: What happens if Obama loses?Current polls show the House opposing a strike on Syria. Obama is not saying whether he would order an attack anyway, but a loss could have long-lasting political effects at home and abroad.
Russian warships: Why are they sailing toward Syria?Russian warships 鈥� at least three of them 鈥� are on their way to the eastern Mediterranean waters off Syria. A Russian official says they are a means for Russian civilians to escape Syria in the event of US airstrikes. But the ships can do oh so much more.
Why Senate resolution on Syria doesn't rule out ground troopsThe Syria resolution passed by a Senate committee this week rules out ground troops for 'combat operations.' But in the end, a Syria strike could require ground troops for other reasons.
Donald Rumsfeld lambastes Obama on Syria: 'Take responsibility'Donald Rumsfeld, George W. Bush's Defense Secretary, says President Obama is not showing leadership on Syria. But he comes to the debate with his own Iraq War baggage.
2016 contenders: Why Syria is tough for GOP's Marco RubioSen. Marco Rubio believes the US must intervene in Syria. But backing Obama on military strikes would have been politically costly. So he found a way to vote no.
Syria strike: Is loss of strategic surprise costing the US?If and when the US carries out a missile strike, Syria's military will have had ample time to prepare, and Russia will be better positioned to provide Assad real-time intelligence, experts say.
Syria airstrike: Can Obama persuade Congress to share responsibility?Congress set a red line when it ratified a treaty that banned use of chemical weapons, said President Obama, who argued that any decision to strike Syria should be a shared responsibility.
Why Boehner had 'no choice' but to support Obama on SyriaIn a hyperpartisan Washington, House Speaker John Boehner backing President Obama on anything seems extraordinary. But in the case of Syria, not backing him could be worse.
John Boehner backs Obama on Syria. Will rest of GOP follow suit?House Speaker John Boehner, as well as House majority leader Eric Cantor, announced after meeting Tuesday with President Obama their endorsement of a congressional resolution authorizing a Syria strike.
Syria resolution: Why Obama proposal is failing the Goldilocks testThe draft resolution authorizing the use of force against Syria is being perceived as either too hard or too soft by doves and hawks in Congress. Obama says he expects lawmakers to get it right.
Syria becomes high-stakes gamble for Obama, CongressSyria is likely to color if not define the rest of President Obama's last term in office 鈥� and beyond that, his presidential legacy. In Congress,聽lawmakers now must assume co-ownership of US foreign policy in this most difficult and contentious part of the world.
Obama approves attacking Syria, but delays that for vote in CongressIn a Rose Garden statement Saturday, President Obama said he's approved a US military attack on Syria. But he said that wouldn't happen without a public debate and vote in Congress.
US releases intelligence on Syria chemical attack: 5 takeawaysUS report released Friday asserts an Aug. 21 attack in Syria involved chemical weapons 鈥� and concludes confidence is 'high' that the Assad regime, not Syrian rebels, is responsible. It also offers answers on what, when, where, and why.
Syria crisis: Dovish Democrats urge Obama to consult CongressIn a letter, 54 Democratic lawmakers urged Obama Thursday to聽'seek an affirmative decision of Congress prior to committing any US military engagement to this complex crisis.'
