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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    The President, Congress and the 'Red Line' in Syria

    Republican John Boehner and Democrat Nancy Pelosi left the White House today supporting President Obama's plan to punish Syria's use of chemical weapons. But both the parties they lead are sharply divided. So why has the President asked Congress to debate a decision he says he's already made?

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Republican John Boehner and Democrat Nancy Pelosi left the White House today supporting President Obama's plan to punish Syria's use of chemical weapons. But both the parties they lead are sharply divided. So why has the President asked Congress to debate a decision he says he's already made? Without more international backing, does he need time to plead his case to the American people? What if Congress says "no?" What's at stake for American security and international sanctions against weapons of mass destruction?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Congress Takes Up Strikes on Syria
    1. 0:00Israel Tests Missile Defense
    2. 8:05The President, Congress and the 'Red Line' in SyriaYou’re reading this
    3. 43:48Nicholas Kristof on the Dilapidated State of Our Public Lands
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Kerry Cavanaugh

      editorial writer at the Los Angeles Times

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Gideon Brower

      Independent Producer

    • KCRW placeholder

      Martin Kady

      Politico

    • KCRW placeholder

      Adam Schiff

      U.S. Senator (D-Calif.)

    • KCRW placeholder

      Janice Hahn

      LA County supervisor and vice chair of the LA Metro Board of Directors

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Congress Takes Up Strikes on Syria
    1. 0:00Israel Tests Missile Defense
    2. 8:05The President, Congress and the 'Red Line' in SyriaYou’re reading this
    3. 43:48Nicholas Kristof on the Dilapidated State of Our Public Lands
    Back to To the Point