Securing these weapons will take an international coalition that will ensure they can neither be used by Assad or the extremist elements of the rebel forces.

We cannot resolve the underlying military conflict with our military.

I believe that to be the greatest threat to the homeland here.

Do we want to now bring Russia back in and establish them as a major power in the Middle East, maybe even a veto power over our actions?

Having Russia as a major player in the Middle East could have long-term consequences.

They can separate out the terrorists, the Islamic groups from the more mainstream moderates if you will and that we could arm the mainstream groups.

Al-Qaeda is the enemy. Al-Qaeda was the one who brought down the Twin Towers.

The Committee on Homeland Security will come to order.

I think the American people are starting to understand is, who are these rebel forces?

If Israel sees that we allow Syria to cross a red line on chemical weapons, why should Israel trust us to prevent Iran from crossing the red line on nuclear weapons?

My concern is any strike against this regime, as bad as it is, will empower these radical Islamists, these extremists.