US Forces Deployed To Jordan, To Patrol Syrian Border

How did this happen? Where did this come from?

peaking at a NATO conference of defense ministers in Brussels, Panetta said the U.S. has been working with Jordan to monitor chemical and biological weapons sites in Syria and also to help Jordan deal with refugees pouring over the border from Syria. The troops are also building a headquarters for themselves.

But the revelation of U.S. military personnel so close to the 19-month-old Syrian conflict suggests an escalation in the U.S. military involvement in the conflict, even as Washington pushes back on any suggestion of a direct intervention in Syria.

Do we no longer debate these decisions? This came out of nowhere (or at least it was never highlighted by the Administration or the press) so I have no instantaneous opinion on the advisability of it.

I do seem to remember a time when troop movements into Theaters of War got a brief national debate, and a formal announcement of the Administration's plan to do so (or consideration of doing so).

Bang. Troops in Jordan. They were kind enough to let us know after-the-fact.

posted by Ace at 04:17 PM

| Access Comments