"Obama Close to Authorizing Military Training of Syrian Rebels"
Remind me: Where have we seen this sort of tip-toe routine before? Was it here?
Reader Ken Constantino emailed this tip our Hit & Run box with the succinct phrase "Shit" in the text field.
Via the Wall Street Journal comes this news:
In a commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point on Wednesday, Mr. Obama will signal backing for the new training effort by saying he intends to increase support to the armed Syrian opposition, including by providing them with training. Mr. Obama isn't expected to provide details about how, or where, that training would be accomplished.
"The president will make clear his intention to expand our support to the moderate Syrian operation and increase our support to Syria's neighbors, who are dealing with the terrorist threats emanating from the situation Assad has created in Syria," a senior administration official said….
Under a new arrangement still under discussion within the administration, the U.S. military would overtly conduct most of the training, and the CIA would take the lead in providing arms covertly.
Defense officials say legislation would be required to authorize the military to conduct a training program for the opposition. Last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved such a measure, authorizing the Pentagon to provide equipment, training and supplies to aid vetted members of the Syrian opposition.