Noting that he had not "at this point" ordered U.S. military engagement in Syria, Obama told reporters during an unscheduled appearance in the White House briefing room that the issue of chemical and biological weapons was of high concern to the both the United States and its close ally, Israel. In no way have we suggested the latter," Obama said.
– President Obama gave perhaps the strongest indication yet today that the US is prepared to use military force in Syria. In a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room, Obama said he has not ordered military action "at this point," but that he hadn't ruled it out, Reuters reports. "A red line for us is (if) we see a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around, or being utilized," he said. "That would change my calculus." In the same appearance, Obama defended his campaign's attacks on Mitt Romney's refusal to release his tax returns. "If you want to be president of the United States, your life's an open book when it comes to things like your finances," he said, according to Politico. "This isn't overly personal here, guys. This is pretty standard stuff. I don't think we're being mean by asking you to do what every other presidential candidate has done!"