Barack Obama
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Press TV has conducted an interview with Allen Roland, online columnist, from Sonoma California, about the issue of US President Obama now formally seeking congressional approval for a war against Syria.

The following is an approximate transcript of the interview.

Press TV: Why do you think Obama has stalled the attack on Syria and is now seeking congressional approval for the military strike?

Roland: Well, let me make it simple - The game is up.

When the British parliament did not back Cameron's parliamentary procedure to basically OK an attack in Syria, the game was up.

Led by George Galloway, the game was up.

Obama is not about to stand by himself. Secondly, there is very serious reservations about the evidence of poison gas - sarin; and there is a very good likelihood this was supplied by Saudi Arabia and Israelis, to the rebels. So there is no question.
So, right now Obama is executing the Obama straddle where is making a retreat while blustering that he is making an attack.
We know right now that the UN inspectors have already come into Syria and they are 5-10 days away from making a report. They know that there is no military settlement or solution to Syria.

So, Obama has got 5-10 days to wave his banner and bluster, but the game is up. By the time Congress comes back on the 9th, the Senate will probably go along, but the House most certainly will not go along with this.

Obama will have his excuse because there is no way he is going to attack by himself because he doesn't have the evidence. And by the time the UN gets through with its report, it will be very obvious he doesn't. This is a strategic retreat by Obama trying to save face.

And don't underestimate the fact that the Russians and the Chinese are standing in the way also supporting Syria.

And this is also an attack against Iran. Remember, Syria is Iran's best friend, ally. This is Obama's way of getting to Iran - this is not going to work either.

This is a very strategic defeat - not defeat, but retreat - But there is no way that Obama will attack without the OK of Congress and without the UN basically approving or at least validating his claims.

John Kerry pulled a 'Powell' (Colin Powell on WMD's in Iraq) with his blatant accusations about poison gas by the Assad regime, this is yet to be proven and very incredulous.

So this is where it stands right now; there is going to be blustering for the next 5-10 days and don't expect any action from the United States.

Press TV: I'd like to ask your thoughts on some of the wording that Obama used in his speech. He did mention that he is confident and he is comfortable that he is ignoring the United Nations altogether - The United Nations Security Council and also the UN fact finding mission that was sent to Syria.

What is the purpose of international law if one country can dismiss it as it pleases?

Roland: These are only words from Obama, brave words, but quite honestly the game is up and Obama knows it. He has no credible evidence to go it by himself here.

Don't underestimate the fact that the British parliament said 'no' to Cameron. That's the handwriting on the wall because the American public will say the same thing. Only ten percent of the British public were backing an attack on Syria - less than that of the American public is backing this.

The game is up. Obama can basically say all the words he wants, but he is in the midst of a strategic retreat right now.