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U.S. Troops Oppose Striking Syria, Online Survey Suggests

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps listen to President Obama during his visit to Camp Pendleton, Calif., in August. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The Two-Way

U.S. Troops Oppose Striking Syria, Online Survey Suggests

Military Times asked 750 active-duty personnel about whether the U.S. should take action against the Assad regime for its alleged use of chemical weapons. About three-quarters said no. While not scientific, the results do echo what some military personnel have said in interviews.

Kerry's Meeting With Russian Is Next Key Moment In Syria Crisis

Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday as he testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Kerry's Meeting With Russian Is Next Key Moment In Syria Crisis

The U.S. secretary of state will be in Geneva on Thursday to meet with his Russian counterpart. Russia's proposal that the Assad regime hand over its chemical weapons may provide a diplomatic way of resolving the crisis. But the U.S. has said Assad can't use it as a delaying tactic.

From the NPR Newscast: Jean Cochran rounds up the latest news about the crisis in Syria

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Breakthrough? Syria Hints It Might Give Up Chemical Weapons

In Washington, D.C., this week, there have been demonstrations both in favor of and against a military strike on targets in Syria. Outside the White House on Monday, supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad waved a Syrian flag with his face on it. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Breakthrough? Syria Hints It Might Give Up Chemical Weapons

Russia has suggested Assad hand over his WMDs. France is drawing up a resolution to bring before the U.N. Security Council. The Obama administration says it's willing to work with those and other nations on such a plan. But the White House also says it can't let up the pressure on Assad.

Talk Turns To Getting Assad To Give Up His Chemical Weapons

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem (left) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday. Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Talk Turns To Getting Assad To Give Up His Chemical Weapons

Russia's foreign minister says he has told his Syrian counterpart that one way to head off a U.S. strike could be to hand over control of those weapons to international watchdogs. The Assad regime has reportedly welcomed the suggestion. The White House says any turnover has to be verifiable.

Strike On Syria: Meaningless Gesture Or Necessary Response?

Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., called military action in Syria legitimate and necessary. Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Strike On Syria: Meaningless Gesture Or Necessary Response?

If the U.S. does not take action, Syrian President Bashar Assad will use chemical weapons "again and again," U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power says. But Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., sees "no direct security threat" to the U.S. or its allies. The debate is building to votes in Congress.

From 'Morning Edition': U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power

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Obama Has No 'Intention' To Strike Syria If Congress Says No

President Obama on Friday at the G-20 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

Obama Has No 'Intention' To Strike Syria If Congress Says No

While the president has the authority to strike Syria even if Congress disagrees, it is "neither his desire nor his intention to use that authority absent Congress backing him," White House national security adviser Tony Blinken tells NPR.

From 'Morning Edition': White House adviser Tony Blinken talks with NPR's Steve Inskeep

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Report: 'Iran Plots Revenge' If U.S. Strikes Syria

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz earlier this week in the Red Sea. The ship is among U.S. military assets in the region. Nathan R. McDonald/UPI/Landov hide caption

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Nathan R. McDonald/UPI/Landov

The Two-Way

Report: 'Iran Plots Revenge' If U.S. Strikes Syria

Iran has told militants in Iraq to attack the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and other American interests if the U.S. hits military targets in Syria, The Wall Street Journal reports. Meanwhile, President Obama continues to lobby world leaders for support of taking action against the Assad regime.

From 'Morning Edition': NPR's Scott Horsley reports from the G-20 Summit

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As Pentagon Adds Bombing Options, Kerry Warns Assad

As Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, "Code Pink" protesters behind him held up "bloody hands" to express their opposition to the prospect of U.S. military strikes on Syria. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

As Pentagon Adds Bombing Options, Kerry Warns Assad

Administration officials continue to push for Congressional support of strikes on Syria. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is adding to the number of targets inside Syria that could be struck. They include warplanes, attack helicopters and missile sites. If they're destroyed, Assad's regime could be weakened.

Syria Debate In Congress: 4 Exchanges You Should Listen To

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Syria Debate In Congress: 4 Exchanges You Should Listen To

During a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Obama administration began making its case for a military strike on Syria.

A Protester Interrupts

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Boehner, Pelosi Unite Behind President On Syria

President Obama met with more than a dozen lawmakers, including House Speaker John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, at the White House on Tuesday to press his case for a military strike in Syria. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

The Two-Way

Boehner, Pelosi Unite Behind President On Syria

The two House leaders agree that the U.S. should respond militarily to Syrian President Bashar Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons. It's a rare bipartisanship.

2 Million Syrians Are Now Refugees And More Are 'On The Way'

Syrian-Kurdish children sit on a bed at the Quru Gusik refugee camp in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on Aug. 22. Faced with brutal violence and soaring prices, thousands of Syrian Kurds have poured into Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region. UNICEF has reported that over one million Syrian children live as refugees in other countries. Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

2 Million Syrians Are Now Refugees And More Are 'On The Way'

About one-quarter of all Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, many to neighboring nations. New data on the number of refugees come as Congress begins debating the president's request for authorization to take military action in response to the Assad regime's alleged use of chemical weapons.

Kerry Says Assad, A 'Thug And Murderer,' Was Behind Attack

Secretary of State John Kerry speaks Friday at the State Department. Charles Dharapak/AP hide caption

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Charles Dharapak/AP

The Two-Way

Kerry Says Assad, A 'Thug And Murderer,' Was Behind Attack

As the world waits for what are expected to be U.S. missile strikes on military targets inside Syria in coming days, Secretary of State John Kerry made the Obama administration's case for holding the Syrian leader accountable.

Aug. 30, 2013: Secretary of State John Kerry on the crisis in Syria

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Striking Syria Still Seems A Question Of When, Not Whether

At the White House, President Obama and his advisers continue to work to build support in Congress and among allies for striking Syria. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The Two-Way

Striking Syria Still Seems A Question Of When, Not Whether

The White House is expected to soon release more of the evidence it says it has to support the case that the Assad regime used chemical weapons against its own people. Despite the news that Britain won't be joining in any military action, the Obama administration seems determined to go ahead.

From 'Morning Edition': NPR's Tom Bowman reports.

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