US actively reviewing 'new' options on Syria
WASHINGTON- US national security agencies are reviewing options, including some new ones, on Syria, the second-ranking US diplomat said on Thursday when asked what was the US "Plan B" after the apparent failure of diplomacy to end the 5-1/2 year civil war.
"President (Barack Obama) has asked all of the agencies to put forward options, some familiar, some new, that we are very actively reviewing," Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told lawmakers. "When we are able to work through these in the days ahead we'll have an opportunity to come back and talk about them in detail."
Blinken gave no details. On Wednesday, US officials told Reuters Obama administration officials had begun considering tougher responses to the Russian-backed Syrian government's assault on Aleppo, including military options.
