Sherman Shares Opinion on Syria; What's Yours?

Rep. Brad Sherman on Friday asked his Congressional colleagues to consider a change to the Senate Resolution on Syria that would make it clear Congress does not authorize the use of U.S. armed forces on the ground in Syria for any reason.

The resolution, which passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday, currently says, "The authority granted in Section 2(a) does not authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Syria for the purpose of combat operations (emphasis added)."

In a letter to all Senate and House members, Sherman wrote, "The words 'for the purpose of combat operations' should be stricken from the Resolution.  The Resolution should not authorize American armed forces on the ground in Syria, even if they are there only to advise or train the Free Syria Army or other dissident elements."

Further, Sherman wrote, "The words “in Syria” should also be stricken.  We should not be asking our colleagues to authorize ground operations in Lebanon or any other country to which Syrian chemical weapons might be taken, or to which Syrian command and control, delivery systems, or other assets relevant to chemical weapons might be taken."

Sherman, who represents much of the San Fernando Valley, is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

Do you agree with Sherman that U.S. forces should not be on the ground in Syria or nearby areas? To what extent, if any, should the United States be involved in Syria? Let us know what you think in the comments section.