Obama prepares for crucial congress showdown

Far from the quick, surgical strikes that were suggested a weeks ago, the prospect of intervention now looks almost certain to involve UN consultation and a congressional process that could take weeks if not months to secure political consensus.

Meanwhile, as America approaches the 12th anniversary of 9/11, there is a far more bullish mood from Washington that has shades of an old administration. Senator John McCain recently opted for tougher wording on the proposal agreed by the Senate committee calling for the US “to change the momentum on the battlefield in Syria” in ways that would force Assad’s resignation.

America is essentially an isolationist power, whose first and last concern is the protection of American soil, interests and people. Bonnie Greer

These do not sound like quick-fire surgical strikes. It is this tone that has antagonised Russia and conjured up the idea “regime change” – a foreign policy approach that America has worked so hard to move on from.

For a country still fatigued from missions in Iraq and Afghanistan – not to mention living under the perpetual shadow of Vietnam – another military outing might be the last thing on his plate.

Domestic cover

It is for this reason that, though he does not technically need it, congressional support is crucial to Mr Obama.

Firstly it gives him vital political cover at home. He knows that America lacks the appetite for either war or getting involved in Middle East politics. One consequence of Iraq was its devastating effect on the image of the United States across the world, and some fear that could happen again if America is dragged into protracted battle with Syria.

As Will G Howell writes in Foreign Affairs: “The president wants congress to sign off on his plans now to ensure some modicum of support later, when anti-US protests flare, jihadists are emboldened, more lives are lost, and foreign leaders condemn what they perceive as further evidence of American imperialism.

“It is a calculated political decision. But it has nearly nothing to do with constitutional obeisance.”

Clive Webb, professor of American history at the University of Sussex, told Channel 4 News: “Obama has always attempted to govern by consensus, although the extreme partisanship of US party politics has made that impossible.

“Cross-party support in this case is absolutely essential because of the lack of enthusiasm for intervention among the electorate. Given Britain’s lack of support, it is all the more important that US political leaders stand united.”

Convincing the public

What about the American public? There are growing concerns that the humanitarian argument is getting lost in the noise.

American playwright Bonnie Greer, who has dual citizenship and who lives in Britain, suggests that President Obama will find himself fighting on two fronts: first convincing congress, then the House and finally, and perhaps hardest of all, the public.

Given Britain’s lack of support, it is all the more important that US political leaders stand united. Professor Clive Webb

She told Channel 4 News: “As strange as it may seem America is essentially an isolationist power, whose first and last concern is the protection of American soil, interests and people. If an argument can be made that engages Americans emotionally, built around these three key concerns, then America is in.

“The further away he goes away from this, the less likely the argument can be won.”

Since coming to power in 2008, much of the president’s time in office has been about solving domestic problems and separating himself from the shadow of the last administration.

The danger now is that, with just over three years left in his term, Syria has thrown up the unenviable prospect of catapulting the president right back to where he started.