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Senator Rand Paul: President Obama Failed to Make Case Against Syria

US Senate Photographic Studio-Fr

Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., says President Obama has failed to make a compelling case for the U.S. to launch a military strike against Syria.The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 10-7 to give the president authority to do just that, with three Republican senators joining Democrats to support the resolution.Paul voted against the resolution along with four Republicans and Democrats Tom Udall of New Mexico and Chris Murphy of Connecticut.The resolution is now headed to the full Senate for a vote next week.Paul says he isn't convinced a limited bombing of Syria will detour its government from using chemical weapons again, and he warns it could escalate violence in the region.From Paul's office: "We are told there is no military solution in Syria, yet we are embarking on a military solution. The president has failed to demonstrate a compelling American national interest in the Syrian civil war. To be sure, there is a tragedy of a horrific nature in Syria, but I am unconvinced that a limited Syrian bombing campaign will achieve its intended goals. I frankly think that bombing Syria increases the likelihood of additional gas attacks, may increase attacks on Israel and turkey, may increase civilian deaths, may increase instability in the Middle East and may draw Russia and Iran further into this civil war. By pre-announcing a limited attack, we pre-announce limited effect. Our brave young soldiers should not be asked to risk their lives and limbs in a civil war with no certain ally. On the one hand, we have a tyrant who gassed his own people. On the other hand, we have radical Islamists and al-Qaida. When no compelling American interests exist, we should not intervene. No compelling interests exist in Syria."Earlier this week, Paul hinted to reporters about a possible filibuster of the Syria resolution, but later reversed his comments.A bipartisan chorus of congressional leaders in the House and Senate have come out in support of President Obama's plan except for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who said he will announce his decision in the "coming days."