Politics & Government

Markey Against Military Action in Syria

A week after voting "present" Senator Edward J. Markey has come out against using military force.

By Les Masterson

U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, who took heat after voting “present” in a Senate committee vote about Syria last week, has come out against authorizing military force in Syria.

Markey said he opposes the resolution for three reasons:

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1.    It is too broad.

2.    It may bring about unintended consequences.

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3.    The country should use diplomacy before considering military action. 

“I cannot support the resolution that passed the Foreign Relations Committee to use force in Syria because it is too broad, the effects of a strike are too unpredictable, and because I believe we must give diplomatic measures that could avoid military action a chance to work. I commend Secretary Kerry and President Obama for their steadfastness during this conflict, which has brought Syria and Russia back to the negotiating table," Markey said on Tuesday. 

“The administration’s intended military action in Syria is designed to deter and degrade the Assad’s regime’s chemical weapons capability. I agree with such intentions – the use of chemical weapons is a heinous and horrific act outside the bounds of civilized conduct. However, I am concerned about the unintended consequences of the strikes and the potential for triggering an even greater conflagration that could be beyond our ability to predict or control. 

“I have read the full classified intelligence report prepared by our nation’s intelligence community about the August 21st chemical weapons attack.  I have also reviewed other relevant intelligence reports on Syria. I have consulted with a wide range of experts on Syria and the region. I have participated in multiple classified briefings and hearings on Syria.   

“After weighing all the information, I do not dispute the evidence that the administration has presented about Assad’s use of chemical weapons.  However, I do not believe that the resolution as currently written is the most effective way for our country to accomplish its objectives in Syria. Moreover, I believe that such a military strike could actually make it more difficult for our nation to achieve its goals in this volatile region of the world,” he said.

Read Markey’s full statement here. 

Massachusetts’ other senator, Elizabeth Warren, has not taken a stand on using force in Syria yet, but the White House is concerned Warren and other Democrats could vote against military action.

 



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