© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
News
To contact us with news tips, story ideas or other related information, e-mail newsstaff@ideastream.org.

Portman Says Strike on Syria Should Be 'Targeted,' Backed by Coalition

Speaking with reporters after a lunch at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Portman said any strike should be limited in scope and have support from an international coalition.

He said U.S. involvement should not focus on trying to unseat Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom the administration accuses of launching a chemical attack on civilians.

“My view is that it should be a targeted strike that focuses on something that makes it more difficult for him to use chemical weapons, and that would be an appropriate response," he said. "So again, having the backing of Arab countries, Turkey, European countries, is very important, so it’s not just a U.S. effort.”

Portman says a targeted strike could discourage other nations or terrorist groups from using weapons of mass destruction.

Nick Castele was a senior reporter covering politics and government for Ideastream Public Media. He worked as a reporter for Ideastream from 2012-2022.