U.S. to arm Syrian rebels?

David Jackson | USA TODAY

While the media's attention is focused on U.S. surveillance programs, the civil war in Syria rages on -- and the United States could soon be more involved.

The Associated Press is reporting that President Obama and aides "could decide this week to approve lethal aid for the beleaguered Syrian rebels and will weigh the merits of a less likely move to send in U.S. air power to enforce a no-fly zone over the civil war-wracked nation."

Reports the Associated Press:

"White House meetings are planned over the coming days, as Syrian President Bashar Assad's government forces are apparently poised for an attack on the key city of Homs, which could cut off Syria's armed opposition from the south of the country. ...

"Opposition leaders have warned Washington that their rebellion could face devastating and irreversible losses without greater support, and the warnings are prompting the United States to consider drastic action."

Bernadette Meehan, spokesperson for the National Security Council, said Obama has long directed his team "to consider all possible options that would accomplish our objectives of helping the Syrian opposition serve the essential needs of the Syrian people and hastening a political transition to a post-Assad Syria."

Meehan added:

"We have prepared a wide range of options for the president's consideration, and internal meetings to discuss the situation in Syria are routine."

"We have committed $250 million in non-lethal assistance to the civilian opposition and Supreme Military Council (SMC). We are also the largest bilateral provider of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the violence in Syria, providing more than $509 million dollars to date.

"We remain engaged with the Syrian opposition and international partners to implement the Geneva framework successfully. The United States will continue to look for ways to strengthen the capabilities of the Syrian opposition, though we have no new announcements at this time."