Page 29 - Colonel Jack News Today

Regional opposition to this problematic move or impending move, i think the president is stuck, and one of the reasons he is going to congress, which apparently historically he did not have to do that, is basically to just make sure that he can say that he is keeping his word regarding the red lines, but i think its an uncalculated adventure and its not going to bode well for the united states or the syrian people and for all concerned. >> colonel jack, what happens if there -- when there is an ...

And the spy satellite, and usually you dont get this specific information, and the administration needs to do this to build credibility with the public and with members of congress. >> i want to get your perspective, colonel, because i want to talk to you about the message that this sends to the syrian regime. here you have the leader of the free word, the largest military on the planet saying we have our weapons in place, and we have our ships in the mediterranean, but we want to talk about it ...

Feeling under pressure now given that assad himself is breathing a sigh of relief. you can anticipate the military will feel emboldened by it and they will expect that they will continue their operations the way they have despite the pressure mounted on them, and so this is not going to slow down the fighting or killing and from the perspective of those within the syrian government and those that support the militarys crackdown, they may feel emboldened to continue on with their operations. >> t...

Buildup and plan to go in and strike syria. >> and colonel jack, finally, what about the president going to congress for authorization for limited, what we were told, limited, targeted, no boots on the ground, cruise missiles, standoff kind of military strike. theres plenty of precedent for not going to congress. does this create a new expectation for the balance of power between the executives and the white house and members of congress. >> its going to make it extremely difficult for this pres...

Ships pulled out and either be sent home or go into maintenance and crew rest as theyre supposed to, it shouldnt have much of an impact. but there is a little bit of concern about the kind of confusion that surrounded these -- this most recent buildup and plan to go and strike syria. >> colonel jack, finally, what about the president, going to congress for authorization for a limited -- what we were told limited, targeted, no boots on the ground cruise missiles, standoff kind of military strike?...

The white house making it clear this is not going to be another iraq or afghanistan. but you are right. president obama is stuck in a very difficult position. of course, he drew that red line over a year ago saying that if president bashar al assad were to use chemical weapons, the united states would have to take action. thats the position the u.s. finds itself in. so the president making it very clear that he intends to take some type of limited military action despite the fact that the u.s. d...

Israel is sitting there with concern. the saudis are deeply concerned right now. and so whatever action the united states undertakes, it has to be thinking ahead to what the implications are going to be after that first set of attacks, what those implications are beyond syria. >> colonel jack, let me end with you. play this game here with me for a second. what would have happened had the president ordered a military strike a few days ago and explained it to the country after the fact? what would...

Circumstance. but if youre talking about whether the united states has a moral obligation to right every wrong in the world, i think that youll find that youre virtually alone in that opinion. >> do you think president obama needs congressional approval? >> yes. >> what have the conversations been like between the white house and congressional leadership? >> well, youd have to ask congressional leadership that question. they havent gone down through the rank and file yet. i havent had any opport...

Local time. the president goes to sweden then on to russia, which is president assads sort of staunchest backer. that whole calendar really does narrow the presidents options. its somewhat difficult to launch a punitive strike fromovfrom oversees and certainly would be more of a slap in the face. its probably going to come sooner rather than later. thats certainly cutting against what the u.n. secretary general would like, more time to form some sort of international consensus, get that formal r...

Cant continue to deliberate. this trial has had it all, andrea. >> indeed. including a witness that was clearly murdered. his body dumped, thats the cast of characters that youve got there. ron mott covering it all in boston. thank you. before heading home to washington today, president obama will make a stop at camp pendleton to talk to the marines. this at a critical time during a military winddown from afghanistan and a military faci facing discussions. colonel jack, thanks for joining us...