As President Obama waits for Congress’ Syria decision, the merits of engaging in a new conflict have caused moderate debate in the US and abroad — and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has a stark warning for those who might intervene in the country due to ongoing unrest.
Speaking to French newspaper Le Figaro , Assad said Syria represents the prospect of another endless war for America, should Congress move with President Obama and respond with force.
Threatening “regional war” after US involvement in Syria, Assad charged that the US has scant reason to intervene with or without the approval of Congress. He added:
“Someone who makes accusations needs proof… We challenged the U.S. and France to show us proof. Mr. Obama and [French President François] Hollande were incapable even when asked to do so by their own peoples.”
Assad made the point clearer, telling a war-weary world :
“Everyone will lose control of the situation when the powder keg explodes… Chaos and extremism will be widespread. The risk of a regional war exists.”
As President Obama waits for Congressional approval, Secretary of State John Kerry made the Sunday roundtable rounds, hitting up Meet The Press among others to make the case for US intervention in Syria.
Citing recent positive samples from Syria indicating sarin gas has been used on Syrians, Kerry noted that President Obama does not need Congress to approve of action in Syria, and that the Commander in Chief reserves the right to intervene with or without Congress’ okay to do so.