The American Forces Press Service writes that “U.S. forces are positioned and plans are in place for a range of military options against Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria, America’s top general testified today before the House Armed Services Committee.”

“Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke before the committee along with Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on authorization to use military force in Syria, which President Barack Obama has asked Congress to grant.”

“The general noted that Obama has determined that a limited military response to Assad’s use of chemical weapons — in one instance killing 1,400 Syrians, including some 400 children — is in America’s national security interest. Chemical weapons have long been outlawed under international agreements, one dating back to 1925, that prohibit their assembly, stockpiling or use.”