The featured programs for the Syria Tag http://www.c-spanvideo.org/browse?topic=1023 en-US Copyright 2013, National Cable Satellite Corporation info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:34:46 GMT White House officials briefed reporters on a number of issues. Questions focused largely on the Syrian civil war and the upcoming G-8 Summit. The White House disclosed that the U.S. had conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime used chemical weapons against opposition forces. In addition, President Obama authorized sending weapons to Syrian opposition for the first time. In response to reporters' questions, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the president's decision to increase support for the Syrian opposition had been made over the last few weeks. Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest and Special Assistant Caroline Atkinson also made remarks. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/313376-2 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/313376-2 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama held a news conference in the White House Briefing Room. Questions focused on a number of issues including reported use of chemical weapons in Syria, the Boston Marathon bombing investigation, budget and sequestration issues, health care reform implementation, and immigration policy. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/312454-2 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/312454-2 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT Colonel Cedric Leighton (Ret.), a former military intelligence officer for the U.S. Air Force and former deputy director for training of the National Security Agency, talked about reports that small-scale chemical weapons were used in Syria. Lawmakers had said the "red line" in Syria had been crossed, and Colonel Leighton discussed the next steps for the U.S. and its allies. Topics included the reliability of the intelligence reports. He responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Video clips were shown of a news conference by House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) and remarks by President Obama after a meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II from the previous day. Also shown was a clip of Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) being interviewed on April 25, 2013, for "Newsmakers." http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/312414-3 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/312414-3 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT The U.S. ambassador to Syria and State Department and USAID officials testified on the ongoing civil war in Syria. Ambassador Ford in his remarks said no evidence had been found thus far to support claims that Syria had used chemical weapons. Other topics included the number of refugees created as a result of the war and the role Iran and Hezbollah were playing. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311615-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311615-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama spoke to reporters and answered questions at the White House daily briefing. Topics included Syria's potential use of chemical or biological weapons against rebel forces in the country, Mitt Romney's tax returns, the recent increase of violence in Afghanistan, the economy, and a controversial campaign commercial produced by a super political action committee in support of the Obama campaign. In reference to U.S. Senate candidate and Representative Todd Akin's (R-MO) remarks about "legitimate rape," he said the "views expressed were offensive" and that "rape is rape." President Obama replied when asked if the congressman should drop out of the race, "He was nominated by the Republicans in Missouri. I'll let them sort that out." http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307682-2 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307682-2 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member John McCain (R-AZ) talked about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's violence against the citizens of his country. He criticized the Obama administration's approach to the conflict and called on the U.S. to assist opposition with organizing. After his speech, he answered audience members' questions. Panelists then talked about Senator McCain's remarks and their own possible approaches for U.S. involvement in Syria. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306643-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306643-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey testified on the violence in Syria. Several committee members pressed for military action against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Secretary Panetta and General Dempsey said that the Pentagon is reviewing its options, but the situation in Syria is much more complicated than Libya and that an international consensus would be required before any military strikes. Secretary Panetta also told the committee that the unrest in Syria has weakened Iran's position in the region. Both witnesses confirmed that Iran is supplying the Assad regime with weapons and other assistance. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304769-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304769-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama held his first formal news conference of the year in the Brady Press Briefing Room. He spoke about his economic proposals, the state of the housing market, and providing mortgage assistance to veterans. He also answered questions on a variety of topics including policy toward Iran, relations with Israel, and violence in Syria. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304774-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304774-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT State Department officials testified political unrest and government actions against the civilian population in Syria. They told committee members that the regime of President Assad was under greater stress than a couple of months before, but that a more unified international community was needed to bring political reform or regime change to the country. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304615-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304615-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT State and Treasury Department officials testified on U.S. policy toward Syria. At the time of this hearing violence continued in the country despite for calls for President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman said the Assad regime won't last much longer with the high degree of isolation from the international community. He added that some Arab leaders have offered him a safe haven in a bid to get him to relinquish power. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302589-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302589-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Syrian President Assad to step down and leave office. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301104-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301104-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen briefed reporters. Secretary Gates, who was participating in his last press conference before his retirement at the end of the month, began by recommending Admiral Jonathan Greenert as next chief of naval operations. In his comments he praised the press corps and talked about his relationship with the media. Other topics included U.S.-Pakistan relations, the Afghanistan war and troop withdrawal time table, the unrest in Yemen and Syria, and NATO operations in Libya. He and Admiral Mullen reacted to the appointment of the new al-Qaida leader as well as the Defense Department budget and spending cuts. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/300068-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/300068-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama talked about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, focusing on political reforms after a wave of popular uprisings in Arab countries from Tunisia to Syria. In his remarks he praised the democratic nature of the uprisings and contrasted the revolutionary sentiment with the terrorism of al-Qaida, and pledged moral and economic development support to assist the people of the region. He also called for a solution to the impasse in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, specifically calling for a recognition of a sovereign Palestine along the 1967 borders. He remarked, "the status quo is unsustainable, and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace," and that "Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist." http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/299606-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/299606-1 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT