Alaska senators say they're not sold on Syria strike

[Blue_In_AK]

http://www.adn.com/2013/09/02/3055460/alaska-senators-say-theyre-not.html

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In interviews, both Alaska senators said that the Obama administration had not yet presented them with a plan for attack that they would support. And a spokesman for Rep. Don Young said in a written statement that he remains opposed to American intervention in Syria.

"Syria is a piece of the puzzle," said Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat. "And I really haven't seen it delivered to me at this point that striking on Syria helps us solve issues that are much broader in the Middle East."

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Murkowski, a Republican who is in Alaska during Congress's end-of-summer break, said public information and unclassified briefings have led her to believe the Assad government carried out the attack. But she said she couldn't be certain of that until she returns to Washington on Sept. 8, where she anticipates receiving a classified briefing.

Assuming that the evidence is convincing, Murkowski said that the Obama administration would then need to provide a credible plan not just for an isolated strike against Assad, but also for contingencies.

"What happens if Syria comes back, Iran goes nuts, North Korea decides, 'we want to get in on this game, too?'" she said. "What is our long-term strategy in the Middle East, and how does this intersect? I have yet to hear that from this administration."

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Don Young is moose hunting and couldn't be reached for comment (surprise, surprise), but his staff reports that he is opposed to intervention. Alaskans who have contacted the delegation also appear to be mostly opposed.