By William Tucker
The Obama administration notified Congress today that it was extending the declared National Emergency in regards to the Syrian situation. In addition to the notification, President Obama stated Syria poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and diplomatic goals. Complimenting the President’s tone was U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland who stated that a recent roadside blast that hit troops escorting the U.N. monitors was “further evidence that the cease-fire is not holding.” This type of language is a departure from the rhetoric of simply relying on diplomacy to help bring the Syrian situation to an end. Naturally, this doesn’t indicate that the U.S. is planning to intervene militarily; rather it shows Washington’s continued interest in shaping the outcome of the year long Syrian uprising. What actions the U.S., and other regional players, will take as the Syrian crisis drags on is unknown, but military intervention still seems to be a bit of a stretch.
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