Updated Aug. 31, 10:12 a.m. | Senior administration officials will hold separate unclassified briefings with Republican and Democratic senators on Syria Saturday afternoon. A White House official said National Security Adviser Susan E. Rice, Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. and Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Adm. James Winnefeld Jr., were scheduled to participate. A Senate aide said the call with Democrats was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. News of the Democratic call follows Friday night's announcement of one with Republicans. A number of senators have already participated in conference call briefings on Syria, as the administration appears to be preparing for military action in response to the reported use of chemical weapons by the regime of Bashar al-Assad. (more…)
