U.S. Planning Two-Day Syria Strike

USA is weighing a military strike against Syria that would be of limited scope and duration, while keeping the United States out of deeper involvement in the nation’s civil war, according to a Washington Post report citing senior U.S. officials.

Such an attack would probably last no more than two days and see cruise missiles launched from ships – or, possibly, long-range aircraft – striking military targets not directly related to Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, the newspaper said.

Such a move would be dependent on three factors: completion of an intelligence report assessing the culpability of President Bashar al-Assad's government in last week’s chemical attack on civilians, which Washington termed a “moral obscenity”; consultation with allies and the U.S. Congress; and determination of a justification under international law. U.S. warships armed with cruise missiles are already positioned in the Mediterranean. 

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UPDATE:

Britain, France weigh joining U.S. in possible strikes against Syria

 British forces are drawing up contingency plans for a “proportionate” response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria, the prime minister’s office said Tuesday, while France said it is ready to “punish” those responsible, raising the possibility that the European nations could join a possible U.S.-led military strike.

Prime Minister David Cameron cut short a vacation to return to London and announced that he would recall Parliament to the capital on Thursday to discuss a possible military response.

In a televised address, French President Francois Hollande said it was the world’s responsibility to take action.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the BBC that U.S. forces are “ready to go,” but he reiterated that the United States wants to work “in concert” with the international community. “We have moved assets in place to be able to fulfill and comply with whatever option the president wishes to take,” Hagel said.

In Syria, meanwhile, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said Syria’s military would defend the country against any foreign intervention. Syria vehemently denies responsibility for the attack, which left more than 300 people dead and many wounded.

“We all hear the drums of war around us,” Moualem said. “If they want to attack Syria, I think that using the lie of chemical weapons is fake and not accurate, and I challenge them to show evidence.”

He said the idea of a Western military strike to change the balance of power in Syria, which has been embroiled in a vicious civil conflict for more than two years, is “delusional and not at all possible.”