John Kerry actually said...

The goal is a negotiated solution which results in the departure of Assad and the free choice of the Syrian people for their future.

How can we guarantee that one surgical strike will have any impact other than to tighten the vice grip Assad has on his power?

This is a very open-ended proposal with no specific limits on types of forces that would be used, with no limit on their duration.

If the Congress decides not to do this, it is a guarantee... we will have invited a for-certain confrontation.