Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), and John McCain (R-AZ) signed a letter assuring President Obama that he has their “full support” for military actions in Syria.
In the letter, obtained by The Hill, they “urge [Obama] to take specific steps to change the military balance of power in Syria against the Assad regime and its foreign supporters.”
The Senators cited Assad’s superior weapons and the help he has received from Hezbollah as reasons that he has been able to turn the tide in his favor. The Sens. contended that allowing Assad to continue gaining momentum–perhaps to the point of winning in Syria–will hold “serious consequences for U.S. national security interests.”
They wrote that it would be “disastrous.”
Menendez, Levin, and McCain argue the U.S. must not only arm the opposition, but also take out portions of Assad’s missile capability–specifically “[his] ability to use air and ballistic missiles against civilians populations and opposition forces in Syria.”
They made clear their belief that there is “growing bipartisan support in Congress for more robust actions,” and that the U.S. still has time to create military conditions in Syria that will bring about “a favorable negotiated resolution to the conflict.”
The Sens. did not explain what that “favorable negotiated resolution” will look like.
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins
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