U.S. Congress Voicing Growing Concerns On U.S. Involvement In The Syrian War

The U.S. Capitol Building is pictured in Washington, February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Jason Reed

Wall Street Journal: Democrats Voice Worry Over Obama’s Plan to Send Troops to Syria

While Republicans saw deployment as paltry, some Democrats say even 50 commandos is too many

WASHINGTON—Democrats in Congress have grown increasingly critical of President Barack Obama’s strategy in Syria after his decision last week to send special-operations forces to assist in the fight against Islamic State militants.

Mr. Obama’s allies on Capitol Hill voiced deepening worry this week over the decision to send up to 50 U.S. special-operations troops to northeastern Syria, a departure from Mr. Obama’s efforts to keep U.S. ground forces out of the country. While Republicans viewed the deployment’s size as paltry, many Democrats worried that even 50 commandos would be too many.

“It’s hard not to be concerned when the president very clearly ruled out putting troops on the ground in Syria and now they’re on their way into the battle,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.), who said he expected the deployments would be followed by others. “We’ve crossed a line here that’s hard to understand.”

Update: Senators try to rein in Obama on Syria (The Hill)

WNU Editor: The U.S. Congress is divided on President Obama's Syrian policy .... just like the U.S. public .... Poll: Americans Sour on Obama's Islamic State Campaign (VOA) .... or is it this .... Fox News Poll: Voters approve of Obama plans in Syria, Afghanistan (FOX News).