While we were out (II): Did Pres. Obama just back out of backing into Syria?

I hope so. By going to Congress for
approval before intervening, he seems to be asking for someone to get him out
of this mess.

Until the end of last week it looked to
me like he had painted himself into a corner on Syria. He didn't want to
intervene, but he threw around some red line language about the consequences of
the Syrian government using chemical weapons and in

August the bill on that had come due.  

I take no joy in saying that the
president looks really bad in his handling on this. Bumbling, stumbling, fumbling.
I've heard his handling of Syria referred to as "Operation Rolling Blunder."
Getting involved there militarily is something almost no one in the United
States wants, aside from a few old-school hawks in Washington. In fact, it is
possible that I know the majority of people in the United States who favor
intervention. They could fit into a Starbucks even after some full-fat lattes.

If their desired attack ever happens,
my guess is that it will last about a week. It would begin with missile strikes
against air defense systems (radars and communications nodes), then move to hits
on airfields by long-range stand-off missile-like "bombs" launched offshore by
B-2s (because cruise missiles really can't crater airfields) and also hits
against other command and control systems. Finally, it would assault "regime
targets" -- command bunkers, intelligence headquarters, ruling class
hideouts. 

And then what? Will this limited action
remain limited? Will it help the Syrian rebels? Should we be helping them?

It is not clear to me how American
intervention would improve the situation. Also, I am struck that I don't know a
single person in the U.S. military who thinks that attacking Syria is a good
idea. Even with Iraq in 2003, there was a minority of officers who supported that
invasion. Here's James Fallows's astute summary of the state of the argument, and his
assessment of the latest move.

My guess: While Congress talks, Obama
will quietly step up all kinds of covert aid to the rebels, but not publicly
intervene.