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The U.S. Response To Syria The White House says there is "compelling" evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime used chemical weapons against its own people on Aug. 21, 2013, killing 1,429 people. Having called chemical weapons use a "red line," the U.S. is considering a military strike.
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The U.S. Response To Syria

Saturday

Syria Meets Deadline On Chemical Weapons; Fighting Continues

A rebel fighter cleans his weapon in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Friday. Syria's civil war continues, even as the country follows a schedule of releasing information on its chemical weapons program. AFP/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Syria Meets Deadline On Chemical Weapons; Fighting Continues

Syria has delivered data about its arsenal of chemical weapons, meeting a deadline set by the U.S. and Russia a week ago. But the country's civil war is continuing.

Monday

Former U.N. Inspector: Syria Plan 'Optimistic,' Requires Troops

Secretary of State John Kerry discusses the U.S.-Russia plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons with top British diplomat William Hague (left) and French diplomat Laurent Fabius, on Monday. Former weapons inspector David Kay says the plan includes "unrealistic" deadlines. Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Former U.N. Inspector: Syria Plan 'Optimistic,' Requires Troops

The U.S.-Russia plan to rid Syria of chemical weapons by next summer faces many hurdles and includes "unrealistic" deadlines, says former U.N. weapons inspector David Kay, who previously has worked on efforts to find chemical weapons in Iraq.

Interview: Former U.N. Inspector David Kay on 'Morning Edition'

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Sunday

After Faltering Weeks For Obama, What Counts Is Winning

Protesters gather outside the White House on Tuesday before President Obama addressed the nation about the situation in Syria. Obama said he was asking Congress to delay authorizing a strike on Syria to allow a diplomatic plan to work. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

It's All Politics

After Faltering Weeks For Obama, What Counts Is Winning

The deal to dispose of Syria's chemical weapons stocks came after weeks in which Obama and his administration kept changing course in response to roadblocks. Other presidents have improvised their way through foreign policy crises, but past generations weren't able to follow along in real time.

Assad Regime Hails Chemical Weapons Deal As 'Victory' For Syria

The Syrian regime calls a new deal on its chemical weapons a victory, in a reaction that came one day after the U.S. and Russia announced the plan. On Saturday, live coverage of the the deal drew the attention of a Damascus flower shop owner. Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Assad Regime Hails Chemical Weapons Deal As 'Victory' For Syria

Syria's rebels are criticizing a plan to destroy the country's chemical weapons, saying it doesn't punish President Bashar Assad. The Syrian regime's first public reaction to the U.S.-Russia deal came Sunday, when a minister called it a "victory."

Saturday

Breaking Down Chemical Weapons, One Fact At A Time

A U.S. Marine carries a light flame-thrower while wearing experimental clothing designed to protect against atomic, biological and chemical warfare in 1960. Keystone/Getty Images hide caption

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Keystone/Getty Images

Breaking Down Chemical Weapons, One Fact At A Time

As the U.S. and Russia announce a deal to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons program, we take a step back to look at where the weapons came from, what they're made of and how to get rid of them.

Breaking Down Chemical Weapons, One Fact At A Time

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In Syria Debate, Obama's Internal Dialogue Becomes Audible

President Obama's speeches about Syria have at times seemed to reveal his own internal struggle on the topic. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

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Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

In Syria Debate, Obama's Internal Dialogue Becomes Audible

President Obama's approach to Syria has taken a number of surprising twists and turns in the weeks since a poison gas attack in August. A surprise agreement between Russia and the U.S. on a timetable for destroying Syria's weapons is the latest in what appears at times to be an unscripted drama.

In Syria Debate, Obama's Internal Dialogue Becomes Audible

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Friday

As Talks Continue, CIA Gets Some Weapons To Syrian Rebels

A Free Syrian Army fighter looks through the scope of his sniper rifle at an area controlled by forces loyal to President Bashar Assad in Aleppo. Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

As Talks Continue, CIA Gets Some Weapons To Syrian Rebels

Although a Free Syrian Army commander has said his fighters haven't yet gotten any "lethal aid" from the U.S., sources tell NPR that some small arms are being delivered to "moderate" rebels. Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian diplomats report progress in their discussions.

On 'Morning Edition': NPR's Tom Bowman talks with host Steve Inskeep about the crisis in Syria

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Thursday

Frenemies Forever: Why Putin And Obama Can't Get Along

Russia's President Vladimir Putin welcomes President Obama at the start of the G-20 summit on Sept. 5 in St. Petersburg. Russia. Eric Feferburg/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Eric Feferburg/AFP/Getty Images

Frenemies Forever: Why Putin And Obama Can't Get Along

Vladimir Putin took a deliberate jab at President Obama, just when the two nations are attempting to make a deal on Syria. Putin is not only seeking to have the upper hand in U.S.-Russia relations but to teach Obama a lesson.

Pro-Israel Lobby Finds Longtime Supporters Defect On Syria

Vice President Joe Biden, projected on screens, gestures as he addresses the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) 2013 Policy Conference in March. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

It's All Politics

Pro-Israel Lobby Finds Longtime Supporters Defect On Syria

AIPAC has blanketed Capitol Hill with lobbyists trying to convince Congress to authorize a military strike against Syria. But despite its close ties with many lawmakers, the lobby has had little success.

Wednesday

Challenging Obama, Putin Appeals Directly To Americans On Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin penned an op-ed in The New York Times to counter President Obama's arguments about possible military strikes against Syria. Klimentyev Mikhail/ITAR-TASS /Landov hide caption

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Klimentyev Mikhail/ITAR-TASS /Landov

The Two-Way

Challenging Obama, Putin Appeals Directly To Americans On Syria

In an op-ed in The New York Times on Wednesday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unusual and direct appeal to the American people to reject President Obama's calls for possible use of force against Syria. He countered many of the arguments Obama made 24 hours earlier in a speech to the nation.

Can The U.N. Security Council Produce A Syria Solution?

Robert Siegel talks with David Hanney about prospects for a United Nations Security Council resolution on Syria's chemical weapons. Lord Hanney represented Britain in the United Nations during the first Iraq war, when the UN Security Council voted unanimously to expel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait.

Can The U.N. Security Council Produce A Syria Solution?

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Kerry's Syria Switch May Not Have Been Offhanded After All

Robert Siegel talks with Peter Nicholas, White House reporter for The Wall Street Journal, about the chain of events that led to a U.S.-backed Russian plan to have Syria hand over its chemical weapons.

Kerry's Syria Switch May Not Have Been Offhanded After All

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Obama's Shift On Syria: A Show Of Strength Or Fear?

President Obama walks along the West Wing Colonnade toward the Oval Office ahead of Tuesday night's speech on Syria. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

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Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

It's All Politics

Obama's Shift On Syria: A Show Of Strength Or Fear?

In the face of congressional and popular resistance to his call for retaliation against Syria, the president had a conversion on the missile flight path to Damascus. But what constitutes presidential wisdom and strength in today's global politics? It may have less to do with traditional notions of strength and more to do with vision and adaptability.

Tuesday

Obama's Speech On Syria May Fail To Sway Doubters

President Obama addresses the nation in a live televised speech from the East Room of the White House on Tuesday. Evan Vucci/Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Evan Vucci/Pool/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Obama's Speech On Syria May Fail To Sway Doubters

The president framed the need to take punitive action against Syria in a historical and moral context. But in a tacit acknowledgment of public and congressional resistance, he said he was postponing further military and political action while pursuing newfound diplomatic openings.