Why The Pentagon Does Not Want To Get Involved In Syria

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel greets Israeli Minister of Defense Moshe Ya'alon, who arrived at the Pentagon after taking a tour of the Washington, D.C., area in an MV-22 Osprey helicopter, June 14, 2013. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Why The Pentagon Really, Really Doesn't Want To Get Involved In Syria -- Gordon Lubold, Killer Apps/Foreign Policy

Top Pentagon brass have been ambivalent in the extreme about getting involved in the Syrian crisis since it began more than two years ago. And now, even as the Obama administration signals its intention to provide direct military aid to opponents of the Syrian regime, there remains deep skepticism across the military that it will work.

With some notable exceptions, top brass believe arming Syrian rebels, creating a no-fly zone and intervening in other ways militarily, amounts to a risky approach with enormous costs that won't likely give the Syrian opposition the lift it needs. The announcement Thursday from the White House that its intelligence now confirms that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons signaled the Obama administration's apparent plan to lean forward militarily in Syria. But it does not appear to be the result of any change of thinking in the military.

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Update: DOD brass has long urged caution on Syria -- Politico

My Comment: The Pentagon's reluctance is understandable .... after-all ... they have had more than enough experience from being in Iraq.