International outrage was palpable last week following reports that Syria used chemical weapons near the capital Damascus. But now, as President Obama contemplates a strike against Syria, there's only limited support for military action.
Here's a look at countries that have criticized Syria and where they stand on intervention:
Britain
British Prime Minister David Cameron's government was among those that urged the strongest actions against Syria. But on Thursday, Cameron suffered a setback when Parliament rejected a military role for the U.K. in Syria.
"It is clear to me the British Parliament, reflecting the views of the British people, does not want to see British military action," Cameron said after the vote. "I get that and the government will act accordingly."
France
France called for the use of "force" last week, and is sticking to its position. President Francois Hollande told Le Monde in an interview published Friday that the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime "cannot remain unpunished."
Hollande called for the formation of a broad international coalition.
"There are few countries that have the capacity to impose a sanction by appropriate means," Hollande said. "France is one. She is ready."
Turkey
NATO member Turkey is a strong supporter of a military intervention in Syria.
The exodus of Syrians fleeing the civil war in their country has stretched resources in southern Turkey. There have also been attacks inside Turkey which the country's prime minister has blamed on Turks connected to the Assad regime, as well as border incidents between the two countries.
In theory, Turkey could invoke Article 5 of the NATO charter, which would summon all of the alliance's members to its defense. Last year, Turkey threatened to do just that, but hasn't recently raised the possibility.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday that his country's armed forces were on alert.
"The Turkish armed forces have the mandate to take every measure against any security threat from Syria or elsewhere ... and retaliate within the rules of engagement," he said.
He reiterated Friday that his country had no doubts that Assad's troops had used chemical weapons last week.
Germany
After the report of a chemical attack, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said: "If such an act should be confirmed, then the world community must act. At that time, Germany will belong to those who call for the appropriate consequences."
On Friday, Westerwelle said Germany supported intervention, but would not take part. He toldNeue Osnabruecker Zeitung "such participation has neither been sought nor is it being considered by us."
U.N.
U.N. weapons inspectors are still in Syria investigating whether chemical weapons were used last week. However, they don't have a mandate to assign responsibility for such an attack. They plan to leave Syria on Saturday, a day ahead of schedule.
They are expected to deliver a report on their findings next week, but, as the Guardian reports, the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ordered them to report to him immediately on departure. The newspaper says that could mean there's an interim report on the suspected chemical attack.
U.N. approval for a strike on Syria is unlikely because of Chinese and Russian opposition. Both countries are permanent, veto-wielding members of the Security Council.
NATO
The alliance condemned Assad's alleged actions, but can only act through consensus among its 28 members — something that does not exist at present.
"Any use of such weapons is unacceptable and cannot go unanswered," NATO said in a statement this week. "Those responsible must be held accountable."
NATO did take military action in Libya, waging an air campaign that helped rebels oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. But that NATO action had U.N. approval.
Individual members of the alliance have differing positions.
Greece says it prefers diplomacy, but would allow NATO to use its bases if a decision is made to carry out air strikes. Canada and Denmark have offered political support for military action.
Poland's prime minister said he wasn't convinced strikes would work, while the Dutch government urged caution. The Italian foreign minister said intervention without a U.N. mandate could turn into a "global conflagration."
"This is how it always begins," said Emma Bonino, the Italian minister.
Kerry Says Assad, A 'Thug And Murderer,' Was Behind Attack
The evidence is clear "and compelling" that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime used chemical weapons against its own people last week, Secretary of State John Kerry told the American people Friday.
The U.S., Kerry said, knows where the rockets carrying the chemicals were fired from — territory controlled by the Assad regime — and when they were launched.
His words came as the world waits for what are expected to be U.S. missile strikeson military targets inside Syria in coming days.
If a "thug and murderer" such as President Bashar Assad is allowed to do that without consequences, Kerry warned, there will be "no end to the test of our resolve. ... It matters if nothing is done."
In an appearance at the State Department, the secretary also said the death toll from that alleged chemical weapons attack was higher than has been reported. According to Kerry, U.S. intelligence has concluded that 1,429 people were killed. While he was speaking, the White House released some declassified details of what U.S. intelligence officials say they have learned about the attack.
Kerry indicated that a report about the attack from U.N. inspectors now in Syria won't affect the Obama administration's decision about how to hold Assad accountable. The U.N., he said, has stated that its investigators will only be able to determine whether chemical weapons were used — not who gave the order to fire them. What's more, Kerry said, "President Obama will ensure that the United States of American makes our own decisions ... on our own timelines based on our own values and interests."
There's an audio player at the top of this post. Click the play button to hear Kerry's statement.
As he spoke, we updated this post with highlights. Later this afternoon, President Obama is expected to offer some additional comments when he meets with some Baltic leaders at the White House.
Update at 1:25 p.m. ET. Question Is Not "What" Is Known, But What To Do:
Kerry finished his statement a few minutes ago. Toward the end, he said "the primary question is no longer what do we know." It is, "what we, collectively ... are going to do about it." As we said earlier, he did not give details about what the U.S. will do, but he was clearly making the case for a military response. Most analysts, NPR's Tom Bowman reports, believe it's likely there will be missile strikes on a few dozen military targets inside Syria.
Update at 1:15 p.m. ET. Being "Tired Of War" Does Not "Absolve Us Of Our Responsibility":
While acknowledging that the American people are "tired of war," Kerry says "fatigue does not resolve us of our responsibility." If the U.S. "turned a blind eye to a dictator's wanton use of weapons of mass destruction," Kerry said, the nation would be going against its own values.
Kerry does not offer any details about what type of military response there might be but says President Obama has pledged that it will be "limited and tailored."
Update at 1:11 p.m. ET. "Thug And Murderer":
Turning to why the U.S. must hold Assad accountable, Kerry says that if a "thug and murderer" is allowed to use chemical weapons against his own people, then other brutal dictators will do the same. "Make no mistake," he says, taking military action against Assad matters to U.S. and global security.
Update at 1:07 p.m. ET. From The Administration's Fact Sheet:
As Kerry speaks, the White House sends reporters a summary of the U.S. intelligence community's "assessment of the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons on Aug. 21, 2013."
It says, in part:
— "The United States Government assesses with high confidence that the Syrian government carried out a chemical weapons attack in the Damascus suburbs on August 21, 2013."
— "A preliminary U.S. government assessment determined that 1,429 people were killed in the chemical weapons attack, including at least 426 children, though this assessment will certainly evolve as we obtain more information."
— "We have intelligence that leads us to assess that Syrian chemical weapons personnel – including personnel assessed to be associated with the SSRC – were preparing chemical munitions prior to the attack."
— "Satellite detections corroborate that attacks from a regime-controlled area struck neighborhoods where the chemical attacks reportedly occurred – including Kafr Batna, Jawbar, 'Ayn Tarma, Darayya, and Mu'addamiyah."
Update at 1:04 p.m. ET. U.S. Knows "Where The Rockets Were Launched From" And That 1,429 People Died:
According to Kerry, the U.S. knows "where the rockets were launched from and at what time. ... We know where they landed and when."
And, he says, the U.S. "knows" that 1,429 were killed — including 426 children.
The Assad regime has consistently denied it was responsible.
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