Skip to main content

Islamic State war bill may also target Assad

As lawmakers prepare legislation to authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State, some worry that strikes in Syria would empower Damascus.
Committee chairman U.S. Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) (R) holds a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing about e-mails belonging to former IRS official Lois Lerner, on Capitol Hill in Washington June 24, 2014. Republicans accused the U.S. Internal Revenue Service on Monday of hiding emails written by a former senior official and obstructing a congressional inquiry into a controversy involving past IRS treatment of conservative groups.  Also pictured is ranking member Representative Eli

Congress is debating whether to authorize US military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime as part of the campaign against the Islamic State (IS).

A growing number of House and Senate members in recent days have made clear their desire to delineate President Barack Obama’s ability to launch airstrikes or other operations inside Syria as part of his stated desire to “degrade and destroy” the group also known as ISIS or ISIL. Some lawmakers, however, are worried that a narrow authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) could unwittingly amount to doing Assad’s bidding for him.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.