White House Close to Decision on Arming Syrian Rebels

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17. Here's an analysis of the options, from someone I trust ...

After trip, Tammy Baldwin says 'there are no good options' in Syria

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/after-trip-tammy-baldwin-says-there-are-no-good-options-in-syria-199ta88-206874251.html

Washington - After traveling last week to the Turkish border of Syria, Senate Democrat Tammy Baldwin voiced wariness about any moves to step up U.S. military involvement in the Syrian civil war, saying her trip reinforced a sense that "there are no good options."

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Baldwin said in an interview Thursday that the options for stepped up U.S. and multilateral intervention in Syria all have "unintended consequences." She flatly ruled out supporting American "boots on the ground," a step that has little backing in Congress at the moment. She voiced support for the latest increases in U.S. humanitarian aid and nonlethal assistance to the opposition. She said she does not support arming the rebels.

"I understand the caution about arming an opposition coalition that is not yet able to absolutely guarantee that lethal weapons won't get into the hands of folks who wish us harm," she said.

Baldwin said she hoped international concern about Syria's reported use of chemical weapons "gives Secretary Kerry more leverage in speaking with Russia and China" and "will give us more diplomatic leverage to bring about a political solution."