While President Barack Obama and other U.S. officials have repeatedly said the U.S. can accomplish its goals in Syria without “boots on the ground,” the Department of Defense appears hesitant to make that same claim.

According to a September 14 report by Military.comPentagon Press Secretary George Little refused to answer directly when asked if “U.S. troops were prepared to assist” in securing chemical weapons, “should an international agreement [allowing] Russia to take control [of said weapons]” be signed.

Little responded, “I am not going to speculate on who may or may not be participating in a process that may or may not take place.”

He added, “We’ve got to see where the process goes.”

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