Syrian state-run newspaper calls Obama move a retreat

AP

Show Caption Hide Caption Obama to seek congressional approval on Syria President Barack Obama says he will seek congressional authorization for the use of force in Syria. He says congressional leadership plans to hold a debate and a vote as soon as Congress comes back in September. (Aug. 31)

Newspaper criticizes Obama%27s decision to seek congressional approval

Newspaper says move is %22the start of the historical American retreat%22

Al-Thawra is a Syria government newspaper

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A Syrian state-run newspaper on Sunday called President Obama's decision to seek congressional approval before taking military action against Syria "the start of the historic American retreat."

The gloating tone in the front-page article in the Al-Thawra daily followed Obama's unexpected announcement on Saturday that he would ask Congress to support a strike punishing the President Bashar Assad's regime for the alleged use of chemical weapons. The decision marked a stark turnabout for the White House, which had appeared on the verge of ordering U.S. forces to launch a missile attack against Syria.

"Whether the Congress lights the red or green light for an aggression, and whether the prospects of war have been enhanced or faded, President Obama has announced yesterday, by prevaricating or hinting, the start of the historic American retreat," Al-Thawra said.

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The paper, which as a government outlet reflects regime thinking, also claimed that Obama's reluctance to take military action stems from his "sense of implicit defeat and the disappearance of his allies." The daily said the American leader worries about limited intervention turning into "an open war has pushed him to seek Congress' consent."

The U.S. Navy moved warships over the past week into the eastern Mediterranean as the Obama administration considered its options. With everything in place, Obama said Saturday that he had decided the U.S. should take military action and that he believes that he has the authority as commander-in-chief to "carry out this military action without specific congressional authorization."