The stage is being set for the biggest foreign policy vote in Congress since the Iraq war.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Obama administration officials met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill yesterday, and President Barack Obama is inviting former foe, Sen. John McCain to the White House today to discuss the U.S. taking military action against Syria.

The administration says an attack last month near Damascus included the release of sarin gas on civilians, killing more than 1,400 civilians.

Russia not convinced by US evidence on Syria

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's foreign minister says the information the U.S. has showed Moscow in trying to prove that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons on its civilians is "absolutely unconvincing."

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Washington did not show Russia detailed evidence, such as geographic coordinates or names.

Lavrov says U.S. officials said they couldn't provide more detailed evidence of a chemical attack because the information is classified.

Australia offers support for US strike in Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry
Secretary of State John Kerry (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Australia is offering moral support for a U.S. military strike in Syria while New Zealand said Monday it needs more information after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry personally called each country's foreign minister.

Kerry has been trying to secure at least some international support for a potential U.S. strike after accusing the Syrian government of launching a chemical weapons attack.

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr's spokesman Patrick Low said Monday that Kerry called last week and that Australia supports the U.S. taking action. He said Kerry didn't ask for military assistance and Australia didn't offer it.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Kerry called Foreign Minister Murray McCully over the weekend and that New Zealand wants to assess all steps taken ahead of a strike before stating its position.

The U.S. doesn't have widespread support internationally for military action. So far, only France has indicated it would join a U.S. strike. The Parliament of key ally Britain last week rejected a vote endorsing military action.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)

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