Obama Presses Congress As Syria Refugee Crisis Mounts -- Reuters
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged Congress on Tuesday to approve U.S. strikes on Syria soon as the United Nations said two million Syrians had fled a conflict that posed the greatest threat to world peace since the Vietnam war.
Having startled friends and foes alike in the Middle East by delaying a punitive attack on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad until Congress reconvenes and agrees, Obama met congressional leaders at the White House to urge a prompt decision and assure them it did not mean another long war like Iraq or Afghanistan.
Repeating his confidence of winning votes, expected next week, Obama said strikes aimed at punishing the use of chemical weapons would hurt Assad's forces while other U.S. action would bolster his opponents - though the White House has insisted it is not seeking "regime change" that might end Syria's civil war.
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MIDDLE EAST
Tensions rise in the Mediterranean as U.S. and Israel test fire two missiles into the sea while America considers attack on Syria.
Syria is said to be hiding weapons, moving troops.
First Syria rebels armed and trained by CIA 'on way to battlefield'.
Assad warns of ‘regional war’ in French interview.
Syria refugees top two million, U.N. sees worst crisis since Vietnam.
Syrian defector has evidence of March chemical attack: opposition.
Distrustful of U.S. motives, many in the Arab world oppose Syria military strike.
Saudi Arabia pushes US toward military strike in Syria.
General Jack Keane: Obama will 'degrade' Assad's military.
Car bombs across Iraqi capital kill 36 people.
U.N. counts 52 corpses after violence at Iranian dissident camp in Iraq.
Rocket attack kills 15 militants in Sinai: Egyptian state TV.
Hamas says Egyptian military building buffer zone with Gaza.
Iran's Navy commander cautions Azerbaijan against outcomes of missile purchase.
ASIA
Afghan police deaths double as foreign troops withdraw.
Top-secret U.S. intelligence files show new levels of distrust of Pakistan.
Manila accuses China of Sea violation, Beijing says wants peace.
Taiwan plans new infrastructure for disputed South China Sea claim.
India's parliament passes cheap food law for 800 million people.
Rodman heads to NKorea to visit his 'friend' Kim.
SE Asia governments appear to squelch social media commentary.
Sri Lanka criticizes UN rights chief visit.
AFRICA
Nigeria ruling party splinters as some urge change.
Thousands of Islamists take to Egypt's streets.
U.N. envoy says military success an opportunity for Congo talks.
Libya at a crossroads as strikes threaten oil supplies.
Somali President unhurt in bomb attack.
Ambiguous religion policy backfires on Tunisia's ruling Islamists.
Egypt jails 11 Islamists for life for attacking army.
Egypt shuts down four TV stations. Egyptian court bans Al-Jazeera affiliate, pro-Islamist channels.
South Africa gold miners' strike to start.
EUROPE
Gibraltar: Talks on sovereignty discounted by UK and Spain.
Obama invites Russian rights activists to meeting alongside G20 summit.
Poll finds 60% of British public oppose UK military action against Syria.
UK's 'reckless' Cameron pays political price for Syria vote loss.
Merkel urges 'collective' Syria response, Steinbrück attacks chancellor's record.
Sweden won't raise online spying when Obama visits.
Russia issues travel warning to its citizens about United States and extradition.
Germany to charge 30 former Auschwitz guards over killings.
OECD raises UK growth forecast.
Romania opens inquiry against communist gulag chief.
Germany may charge 30 Auschwitz Nazi guards.
AMERICAS
Syria crisis: Obama wins backing for military strike.
House Speaker Boehner says he’ll vote for Syrian airstrikes.
As Syria heats up, White House nixes briefings.
Top US officials to push for Syria action before Senate.
Split Congress mulls denial of military force request.
Brazil and Mexico probe claims US spied on presidents.
Colombia's Cabinet resigns to allow Santos to make shuffle.
Argentina's ex-leader Carlos Menem back on trial in tax case.
San Francisco-Oakland bay bridge opens to traffic after years of delays.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
AP confirms former bin Laden doctor leading jihadists in Sinai.
Attacking Al-Qaeda in Syria.
Egypt arrests Al-Qaeda head in Sinai.
Guantanamo judge bans spiral-bound notebooks at meetings on USS Cole case.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Apple invites media to Sept 10 event, new iPhone expected.
S&P calls U.S. lawsuit retaliation for stripping 'AAA' rating.
Nokia stock surges on Microsoft takeover.
Jeffrey Bezos, Washington Post’s next owner, aims for a new ‘golden era’ at the newspaper.
Life expectancy gap widens between women in rich and poor countries.