Graham Willing to Send US Troops to Syria to Secure Chemical Weapons

Amid reports that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is calling for the U.S. to do whatever is necessary to secure remaining chemical weapons in that country–even if that means putting boots on the ground.

Graham said he is deeply concerned that chemical weapons will used by the Assad administration or will fall into the hands “of extremists” mingled in with the Syrian opposition. 

He said “America needs to lead” on this.

Graham made it clear that the U.S. needs to try to work with her partners to get the weapons secured. But he said that if no progress can be had through diplomacy then the U.S. must go it alone.

The White House said that while it is concerned Assad could use weapons against his own people in desperation, they are still trying to evaluate whether chemical weapons were in fact used as reported. 

Speaking from Israel, President Obama said that for right now, “we have to make sure we know exactly what happened.”