Pentagon Backed Plan For U.S. To Arm Syrian Rebels -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Pentagon leaders told Congress on Thursday that they had supported a recommendation to arm Syrian rebels promoted by the State Department and CIA but which President Barack Obama ultimately decided against.
Obama's government has limited its support to non-lethal aid for the rebels who, despite receiving weapons from countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are poorly armed compared to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's army and loyalist militias.
Syria's 22-month-long conflict has killed an estimated 60,000 people.
Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, has championed greater U.S. involvement and chided the Obama administration at a hearing, asking Pentagon leaders: "How many more have to die before you recommend military action?"
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MIDDLE EAST
Syrian jets bomb Damascus ring road to halt rebel push.
Syrian rebels, Assad troops clash for 2nd day.
Suicide assault team hits Syrian intelligence in Palmyra.
Iran's Ahmadenijad entices Egypt into alliance.
Iran's supreme leader rejects Joe Biden's offer of direct talks. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejects chance of direct talks with US.
Iran broadcasts footage 'extracted from CIA spy drone'.
Iraqi Kurds press on with oil pipe to Turkey despite U.S. fears.
Hamas and Fatah in unity talks, says Khaled Meshaal.
Palestinian inmates 'sneak sperm out of jail'.
ASIA
Afghan corruption worth twice government revenue: report.
Thousands in Bangladesh war crimes protest.
South Korean military sharpens reflexes on divided peninsula.
Kerry: NK nuke test would raise chance of conflict.
North Korea threatens to expand military zone.
S. Korea talks of 'pre-emptive strike'.
Japan says Russia intruded air space; Russia denies accusation. Russian fighter jets 'breach Japan airspace'.
China to conduct 'solemn' probe into Japan radar claim.
Pakistani ambassador to U.S. calls CIA drone strikes a ‘clear violation’.
Burma grants UN access to Kachin territory.
Australian sport rocked by doping inquiry.
AFRICA
US warns of 'consequences' in Kenya election.
Egypt's government, Islamists condemn fatwas calling for killing of liberal opposition. Security hiked for Egypt opposition.
As Mali fighting persists, France vows to exit in weeks.
Islamic summit backs Mali government, omits France.
Tunisia's Ennahda rejects dissolving cabinet. Islamists disown PM over move to end Tunisian crisis.
Suspected Congolese rebels charged with plotting coup. South Africa charges DR Congo 'rebels for coup plot'.
Libya must hand over Gaddafi spy chief: Hague judges.
French-owned tanker seized off Ivory Coast freed.
New State Department travel alert is bad news for Egypt.
EUROPE
European leaders gather for a trillion-Euro budget debate.
EU budget summit: Cameron demands further cuts.
Document declaring USSR dead missing from archives.
Russian police kill terror suspect in Caucasus.
Serbian and Kosovo hold rare talks in Brussels.
Ukraine complains no help from Europe in Russia gas dispute.
Europe’s plan for GPS limps to crossroads.
Promise of visa-free EU travel prompts influx of Chinese to Cyprus.
Russia's Putin sacks official over Olympic delays.
AMERICAS
Obama open to "big deal" on budget, but wants revenues.
Rape case in Mexican resort city puts violence back in the spotlight.
Over 90 percent of Americans support gun background checks: poll.
Venezuelan politics heating up in Chavez's absence.
Colombia's Farc proposes legal coca and marijuana crops.
Peru says it has arrested top Colombian narco.
Chile navy investigates 'xenophobia' in video.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Terrorist tweets: how Al Qaeda's social media move could cause problems.
Tough times for Hezbollah in fast changing region.
EU pressured to blacklist Hezbollah in wake of Bulgaria bus attack report.
French try to root out would-be jihadists at home.
Leaked US justification for drone killings assailed as rewriting definition of 'imminent threat'.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Activist investor sues Apple in bid to unlock its cash.
Currency wars return, 1930s style: Who will lose out?
Sony cuts quarterly losses amid recovery hopes.
Boeing Dreamliner: Battery probe results 'weeks away'.
Irish government to liquidate 'bad bank'.
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