U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Bob Corker on Tuesday described as “unacceptable” the White House’s approach to arming Syrian rebels, saying a reported delay in American weapon shipments “wastes time at the expense of our national interests.”
Corker’s attack exposes the clearest Syria quibble yet between the Tennessee Republican and President Barack Obama, both of whom support some degree of American intervention in a Middle Eastern conflict that has killed 100,000.
Two weeks after media reports said American weapons would begin arriving in Syria, a Monday Reuters news article that relied on unnamed national security sources said Obama has decided to delay arms shipments after House and Senate intelligence panels raised questions over preparedness.
“None of the military aid that the United States announced weeks ago has arrived in Syria, according to an official from an Arab country and Syrian opposition sources,” the Reuters story said.
President Barack Obama wipes sweat from his head during a speech on climate change at Georgetown University in Washington.Corker criticized that revelation in a blistering statement issued Tuesday morning.