Seven months ago, President Barack Obama warned the use of chemical weapons in Syria could bring direct U.S. involvement in that country's raging civil war. While the administration's interest in U.S. military involvement in Syria remains low, planners still have been preparing for the possibility U.S. forces would have to step in and neutralize Syria's military or safeguard chemical weapons stockpiles.

It's not a pretty picture, NATO commander Adm. James Stavridis said Tuesday, a day after unconfirmed reports emerged that chemical weapons may have been used.

"The Syrian situation continues to become worse and worse and worse," he said.

The mere possibility of U.S. involvement comes at a bad time for the military, which is preparing to ground some aircraft, scrap some naval deployments and cut back on training to meet budget cuts mandated by forced spending cuts that went into effect last month.
Depending on what the administration might decide to do - and no decisions have yet been made to do anything - military intervention also could meet with resistance from a public weary of war after the long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Several NATO countries are working on contingency plans for military action in Syria, including imposing a no-fly zone, providing lethal military assistance to rebel groups and imposing an arms embargo on the Syrian government, Stavridis said. NATO hasn't discussed any such options as a whole, he said.

In Washington, military commanders continue to advocate strongly for a diplomatic solution rather than a military strike, a senior U.S. official said.

The top U.S. military officer said this week that Syria poses the most complex set of issues he could conceive.

"About six months ago we had a very opaque understanding of the opposition," said Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "And now I would say it's even more opaque."

Dempsey has said he favored arming the rebels last year, when the Pentagon had discussions on the subject with the White House.

But Obama decided to limit U.S. assistance to nonlethal aid, and Dempsey now seems more averse to arming groups that may be influenced by extremist elements.

"I don't think at this point I can see a military option that would create an understandable outcome. And until I do, it would be my advice to proceed cautiously," he said.

Obama has not yet asked to see an action plan, senior military officials say.

Here's a look at some of the options under consideration by NATO officials and Washington:

Targeting Syria's air defenses

NATO has installed Patriot missile batteries in Turkey, near its border with Syria, which could be aimed to shoot down Syrian aircraft, Stavridis said

But Turkey only allowed the missile batteries to be placed there for defensive purposes, and NATO nations would have to agree before they could be used for offensive strikes against Syria.

That's not something under immediate consideration, Stavridis said.

Airstrikes

The U.S. military has enough airpower in the region to take action against Syria, according to officials. That includes fighter jets and bombers spread out across air bases in the Middle East and nearby aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy also has warships equipped with Tomahawk missiles, which could be used to hit chemical weapons supplies.

But such strikes pose a danger of releasing chemical agents into the air around civilian populations in Syria, the officials said.

Other options include bombing runways to prevent Syrian aircraft from taking off, or disrupting communication between the regime leaders and ground commanders.

Ground troops

The United States has no plans to put "boots on the ground" in Syria. But the Pentagon is a planning machine, so the Defense Department last year came up with a military analysis of a ground option should the president request it.

According to the analysis, it would take up to 75,000 troops to secure Syria's chemical weapons facilities if they were in danger of being looted. An actual deployment would likely involve far fewer ground troops, and from various nations, but it underscores the scope of the challenge.

Before ground troops would go in, weeks of airstrikes would be needed to destroy Syria's air defenses.

The military believes Syria has about 50 weapon production sites around the country, as well as some storage areas and research centers.

soundoff(112 Responses)

john smith

America is the root of all terror. America has invaded sixty countries since world war 2.
In 1953 America overthrow Iran's democratic government Mohammad Mosaddegh and installed a brutal dictator Shah. America helped Shah of Iran to establish secret police and killed thousands of Iranian people.
During Iran-Iraq war evil America supported Suddam Hossain and killed millions of Iranian people. In 1989, America, is the only country ever, shot down Iran's civilian air plane, killing 290 people.
In 2003,America invaded Iraq and killed 1,000,000+ innocent Iraqi people and 4,000,000+ Iraqi people were displaced.
Now America is a failed state with huge debt. Its debt will be 22 trillion by 2015.ha ha

OBAMA WENT TO ISREAL THEY TOOK HIM TO A CEMETARY THEN HE INDICATED THAT HE WAS "COMMITED" TO THEIR SECURITY AND FINACIAL WELL BEING–THIS WAS IN THE MEDIA IT WAS ON THE NEWS RADIO TWO DAYS AGO–YOU SHOULD SEE THE NARATIVE PARALLELS HERE WITH THE MUSICIANS STORY–NOTE I AM NOT "RELIGIOUS"–ALL MAGICAL THINKING ASIDE SYRIA IS AS OLD AS DIRT

America is the root of all terror. America has invaded sixty countries since world war 2.
In 1953 America overthrow Iran's democratic government Mohammad Mosaddegh and installed a brutal dictator Shah. America helped Shah of Iran to establish secret police and killed thousands of Iranian people.
During Iran-Iraq war evil America supported Suddam Hossain and killed millions of Iranian people. In 1989, America, is the only country ever, shot down Iran's civilian air plane, killing 290 people.
In 2003,America invaded Iraq and killed 1,000,000+ innocent Iraqi people and 4,000,000+ Iraqi people were displaced.
Now America is a failed state with huge debt. Its debt will be 22 trillion by 2015. ha ha ha

I was the last person in the world to want to believe the facts. I was trained early in the USMC in EOD and trained marines and soldiers demolitions. I argued with an instructor I had while working towards my degree so he made me do the research on tower 7 and I was disgusted with the horrible truths which are 100 percent provable to the facts that those towers were controlled detonations. I served two tours in Iraq and during the first, I was assigned to special operations to try to get Saddam to fire back at us. Bush Sr., Dick Chaney and Collin Powell were there to watch a huge bombardment of MLRS's go deep into Iraq (Operation Intrinsic Action)...It was an awesome display of power and It was unbelievable watching it through binoculars. Saddam never did anything...he would not. So what is my point? Assad won't do anything either because it is suicide. Assad never started this proxy war either...and to believe the news media propaganda is telling you the truth, it is like living in the matrix. After two tours I was finally wounded and get disability which gives me time to do research.....the truth is that some people are waking up, like me and this guy who posted tis...and some people just refuse to research the truth because it might be...just might be true that our government is lying to its people.

It's not pretty good picture that NATO has installed Patriot missile batteries in Turkey near its border with Syria, is it? Ok. Make sure hardly anyone of us would feel very well to see the picture that Syrian refugees are actually like the flood sweeping into Turkey, would we?

Patriot, yes. Tea Partier, no. Weak-minded...well, if a myopic bleeding heart like you thinks so, I'll wear that moniker like a badge of honor.

March 21, 2013 at 7:46 pm |

hftuhvftyuh

I WAS JEW COUNTING TODAY AND RELISED IRANS RELIGIOUS LEADER LOOKS AT LEAST 20% Jewish–LEAVING RELIGION OUT OF IT OFCOURSE–ON ANOTHER VIEW HOW MANY OF THE RUSSIAN OLIGARCHS THAT JACKED CYPRUS are JEWISH

So, we support the rebels until the government collapses, then we use the spector of Chemical Weapons falling into their hands as justification for ANOTHER long term war to replace the two we are getting out of now. Meanwhile, the military industrial complex see's it's stock prices go through the roof again as the Dick Cheney's of the world laugh all the way to the bank, and our troops are bloodied. What a time we live in!

Riiight. WE'RE provoking N. Korea. It isn't the North who's building nuclear weapons and threatening to use them in violation of treaties and the cease-fire that ended the war. That kool-aid you've been drinking has rotted your brain.

March 21, 2013 at 7:15 pm |

John Smith

America is the root of all terror. America has invaded sixty countries since world war 2.
In 1953 America overthrow Iran's democratic government Mohammad Mosaddegh and installed a brutal dictator Shah. America helped Shah of Iran to establish secret police and killed thousands of Iranian people.
During Iran-Iraq war evil America supported Suddam Hossain and killed millions of Iranian people. In 1989, America, is the only country ever, shot down Iran's civilian air plane, killing 290 people.
In 2003,America invaded Iraq and killed 1,000,000+ innocent Iraqi people and 4,000,000+ Iraqi people were displaced.
Now America is a failed state with huge debt. Its debt will be 22 trillion by 2015.

Wow dude, you are soooo deep in the matrix. So you believe EVERYTHING the media reports? Go do some research! These are proxy wars bud...I fought twice in Iraq before I ever figured out what you have not figured out yet. I bet you don't know what end of the barrel the round comes out of...lol

March 22, 2013 at 7:07 pm |

MP

Osama Bin Laden was trained by the United States. He died in 2001 of complications of kidney disease...he wouldn't have lived too much longer after 911 anyways because he was dying. He is buried in the hills of Pakistan ......just thought id ad that in. The other guy they killed was younger.... The same lies are being used to get us into Syria. The Syrians are only defending themselves against foreign invaders.

Groan. . . . . . . the internet, home of more 'facts' than anything else on EURF!!!!!!! Yes, the misspelling is on purpose, You're trying to hard, sir. You're on every, even slightly U.S. military story. Take a break, you're not convincing anyone of anything if they have a brain.

March 22, 2013 at 9:13 pm |

Mandor

The only option the military should be exercising is the wisdom to stay out of the fight, until and unless Turkey invokes the NATO mutual-defense clause.

The good news is they can only do that if Syria attacks Turkey. The treaty does not include preventative defensive needs. Countries could help Turkey if Turkey invaded, but they would not be obligated under the treaty.

Seeing that we've been protecting western Europe since the end of the Cold War I think some of those countries should step up since they spend nothing on military spending and we spend more than the next 13 countries combined.

Did you even read the article? I suppose it's just fine with you if suddenly Syria starts launching chemical weapons into Israel, or Hezbollah gets chemical weapons and smuggles them into New York. It's not about telling Syria how to run the country, it's about keeping real weapons of mass destruction from being used.

Shame on you USA. What did Syria do to be attacked by US or NATO. They are lying if they claim helping the Syrians but the truth which most of the world know that USA Gov (not American people) and Israel and the NATO countries plus Saudi and Qatar are supporting and funding and training the Islamic terrorists (Al-Qaida and Islamic brother’s militia) so stop lying. Syrian Army is fighting the whole world’s war against the terrorism and I was hoping that United States in respect to the soul of our victims in 9/11 will help to fight the terrorists not support them. Anyway majority of the Syrians support their president and military and with god’s help they will destroy the criminals of Al-Qaida and Nosra Front. Here in the USA we have lots of economical problems we don’t need more wars.

I'm Syrian and I read what u wrote and I really liked it,thanks a lot , what u said is the truth and the majority of Syrians are with Dr. Assad against Al-Qaida ,Islamic brother’s militia,Nosra Front and all the extremist elements that horrify and Kidnap safe people and cut their heads off and use children and women as Human shield to not be attacked by the Syrian army and this thing by the way shows the Nobility of the Syrian army >>>>>>>thanks again skgm111

Sure you're not talking about the evil dictator Assad? Because that's what he's known for. Oh, and exporting terrorism. And trying to build nuclear weapons to be used against Israel. And brutalizing his people. Just like his evil dictator father. As with other dictators like Saddam Hussein, Kadafi, and Hugo Chavez, the world will be much better off without Assad.

March 21, 2013 at 7:22 pm |

Josh

Well said. The Syrian people including the government are fighting the source of terror which is the culture of Sunni Wahhabi who committed every terror acts in the world. And for the people who talks about Iran and Hizballah, I would say, Hizballah is in fight with the Israelis. However if someone here wants to side with the Israelis that's fine and as Christian Syrian we respect that. However, for the USA to brand Syrian regime and Hizballah of terrorism just because we disagree with the Israeli who occupying Arabic land is ridiculous. The Israeli-Syrian issue should be solved based on just and respect. On the other hand the terrorism is a cultural thing. The only culture that issue Fatwa to kill innocent is the Sunni wahhabi one. The same culture that bred September 11 terrorist and still breading every day jihadists all over the world. Do not mix that with Shiaa who has national conflict with Israel

The people of the United States do not need another war. We need to be involved in a war as bad as a person needs a hole in their head. Military generals and admirals like war because it makes them feel important and it justifies their positions. We need to get rid of some of these generals and admirals. The U.S. budget needs to be cut by about 30% as the war mongers are out to spend more of our tax dollars meddling all over the world.

Military officers in general don't like going to war. It's annoying, very hard work, and gets people killed. If anyone likes it, they're psychotic and generally don't make it to the level of General Officer.

Obama, stay out of Syria. We can't stop these miserable Muslim populations from killing each other. How often have we helped to dispose a murderous leader only to have another murderous leader take his place? They have to solve their own problems. Let the Arabs help their own with their own oil money.

I feel for Syria the US is to slow by the time they get it to the house and they say no I am praying for you and you are in my heart another Benganzi the US well be to late I feel for all the innocent people who died the innocent children with no fathers the people living in tents who lost thier homes and bussiness and the hard cold winter you had to suffer through God had to help you I don't know how esle you have made it this far God Bless you

Who didn't see this coming. Unconfirmed use of Chemical Weapons....sounds very familiar. Un-confirmed possession of Nuclear weapons in Iraq.....WMD's ! Oh my. Our murdered ambassador was in my opinion about to blow the cover up of the arms trafficing to Libya and Egypt by the current administration. Libya via Turkey to the Syrian Al Queda. The arab spring starts anew, after all it is spring time right? The US needs to sit this one out. This disaster in the making is not our fight. Are we not all tired of Obamas wars yet? Not Iraq and Afghanistan, but the entire middle east, which is a pot he has been stirring with money and weapons.

Unlike Iraq, it's not unconfirmed, it's common knowledge that Syria has mass stockpiles and development centers of chemical weapons. Obama has done everything he can to avoid another reckless war. Now the known stockpiles of chemical weapons may be being used. If that is the case, it won't just be America going into Syria. I just hope they get it done fast.

You call 70,000 American Troops in Afghanistan winding down, not to mention that Obama added 30,000 American Troops to Afghanistan during "the surge". Obama violated the War Powers Act by using $200 Million worth of American Missiles in attacking Libya without a Congressional Declaration of War. I love the self-rightous indignation of Liberals it never ceases to amuse me. And by the way I am not a Republican either.

March 21, 2013 at 4:47 pm |

Yakobi

Youngster, read a little history. Al Qaeda started the war in Afghanistan, not Bush. Bush rid the world of an evil dictator and freed millions of people in Iraq AND started the drawdown of troops before leaving office because the mission was accomplished. By setting an arbitrary pull out date to leave Afghanistan, all Obama did was tell the enemy how long they need to hold out before they can take over again.

March 21, 2013 at 7:28 pm |

CMI

We are taking the wrong side as usual. Actually we ARE the wrong side. The rebel terrorists do not exist without CIA money.

The wrong side would be to sit idly by and let the evil dictator Assad massacre his people when we have a golden opportunity to excise from the world an Iranian stooge and further stabilize the region.

Yakobi you are a dumbed down American. I have a Syrian son. My son's family are 100% Syrian and they like Assad. You must not know Syrians to well. They just want peace and for America to leave them alone. America should for once just worry about this country and stay out of other country's.

March 22, 2013 at 6:43 pm |

saeed

obama is a irish half breed potato farmer from dublin its all a lie they lie just as they lied in lybia iraq mali and all the other times they lied the recession is over lie after lie. obama change your name we dont want a irish clown like you using a muslim name get out of my culture you filthy moneky.

Well said, saeed. In fact, Barack Obama is murdering Muslims in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen day after day with those ungodly drones and Apache helicopters of his so he should quit using a Muslim name. All that does is to point out his very hypocrisy! Moreover, they need to outlaw the use of those drones at the U.N.!

Here we go again!!! Ever since 2001, this country has never been at peace and if the right-wing thugs in Washington have their way, it probably never will again. There are simply too many people in Washington and London making too much money out of these obnoxious wars and nobody seems to care.

If you will review your history, most wars have been started when Left Wing Liberal Democarts have been in power , i.e. Roosevet (WWII), Truman (Korea), Johnson (Vietnam). They have wasted billions of dollars pushing their immoral social agendas while weakening our military and putting our national security at risk..I have been around since all the above mentioned administration and served 25 years in the army. This Administration is repeating the past,, weakening our military to the point that our adversaries are emboldened (North Korea and others)) to test us.

"Weakening our military", Edwin? Hardly! Ever since WW2 we have been putting far to much of our resources into the military and now we created a monster! In fact, we spend more on our military than all of the 16 next richest nations combined!

March 21, 2013 at 9:19 am |

Yakobi

Of course, Carlson didn't consider the elementary notion of military spending based on GDP–the true measure. In which case the U.S. is 7th or 10th, depending on whose table you're looking at.

March 21, 2013 at 7:43 pm |

the REAL George S. Patton

I did not write that. This America-hating imposter does NOT represent my views. Quite the contrary, in fact.

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