Complete Syrian Event Update

All the latest updates and developments in the lethal Syrian foreplay farce.

• Congress starts deliberations today on whether to allow U.S. President Obama to strike Syria.
• Obama to meet tomorrow with Senate Democrats, according to a Senate aide who requested anonymity; Senate expected to vote on resolution by end of week
• Senate’s top Republican, Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell, hasn’t said whether he will back military strike
• “I think it’s an uphill slog from here,” Representative Mike Rogers, a Michigan Republican who supports military action, said on CBS. “It’s very clear he’s lost support in the last week.”
• “It’s too early to come to any conclusion,” Obama’s chief of staff Denis McDonough said yesterday on Fox News
• House of Representatives takes proposal week of Sept. 16
• Syrian President al-Assad is disputing U.S. allegations he used chemical weapons against civilians, and said Obama administration hasn’t proved he did, according to CBS News correspondent Charlie Rose
• U.S. Secretary of State Kerry says Saudi Arabia supports taking action; other nations to voice support
• Syria may have used gas without Assad’s permission: Bild
• New Syria vote in U.K. possible if dramatic change: Hague
• Obama to give interviews with major TV networks today
• France slows march to confrontation by backing EU appeal to put off armed response until UN delivers report
• Le Figaro poll shows 2/3 French oppose military action: NYT

Source: Bloomberg