Clinton has spoken in the past about her 'lasting regret' over the violence in Syria. Hillary Clinton backs Obama on Syria

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backs President Barack Obama’s move to urge Congress to back a targeted effort in Syria, in the first comments from her camp since the president unveiled his plan, POLITICO has learned.

“Secretary Clinton supports the president’s effort to enlist the Congress in pursuing a strong and targeted response to the Assad regime’s horrific use of chemical weapons,” a Clinton aide told POLITICO.


Calls had been increasing on Clinton to weigh in on the president’s plan for Syria.

( See POLITICO's full Syria coverage)

Clinton is giving a speech next week that she’d indicated would focus on the debate over the National Security Agency, but it is possible that the focus could shift.

The potential 2016 presidential contender has been picking her spots on the national issues she chooses to discuss, as she takes time since leaving Foggy Bottom to develop her office at the Clinton Foundation and give speeches, as well as work on her new memoir.

But avoiding Syria was hard to imagine, even as Clinton associates insist she hasn’t made up her mind about a run for the White House. Her tenure at the State Department will be both the platform for a future campaign, should she launch one, and not commenting would leave the appearance of daylight between her and the incumbent, who is pushing hard to sell Congress on authorizing a limited strike.

( Also on POLITICO: Nancy Pelosi's test)

It was reported earlier this year by The New York Times that the White House had nixed a proposal by Clinton and former CIA head David Petraeus to arm some Syrian rebels. It was a proposal that the White House worried would lead to arming the wrong people, while ensnaring the U.S. into another Mideast conflict.

Clinton had talked before leaving Foggy Bottom about her “lasting regret” on the violence in Syria and the lack of clear options for the global community to help stop the crisis.

POLITICO reported earlier this year that Bill Clinton, in a conversation with Sen. John McCain at a private event in Manhattan, said he supported the senator’s position on Syria.

McCain has been among the most outspoken hawks on the topic of Syria, urging the Obama administration to do more to try to stop the ongoing humanitarian crisis for many months.

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