World / Syria Syria Paper: Obama Starting 'Historic American Retreat' Assad boasts Syria can deal with 'any external aggression' By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff Posted Sep 1, 2013 9:09 AM CDT Copied President Obama, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden, talks about the crisis in Syria, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) President Obama has started a "historic American retreat" in seeking Congress' approval to strike Syria, according to a gloating state-run newspaper. "Whether the Congress lights the red or green light for an aggression, and whether the prospects of war have been enhanced or faded, President Obama has announced yesterday, by prevaricating or hinting, the start of the historic American retreat," said the front-page article in al-Thawra, as per the AP. story continues belowShoe CEO Drops Business Sneakers Taking The NFL By Storm Finally, A Comfortable Shoe Thats Fit For The Office. With Comfort, Luxury, & Versatility Engineered Into Every Step, Wolf & Shepherd Shoes Are Specifically Designed For Those Who Want To Lead The Pack.Wolf & ShepherdShop NowUndoWhat is the database behind ChatGPT? - Blueprint for A.I.CIO | Microsoft NvidiaUndoWSOP Poker Finally on Desktop: The King of Poker Games Is Breaking RecordsGet On It Now And Experience It With 1,000,000 Free Poker ChipsWorld Series of PokerPlay NowUndo The nose-thumbing isn't limited to print media, with state television quoting Bashar al-Assad as boasting that "Syria is capable of confronting any external aggression," reports al-Jazeera. He continues: "The American threats of launching an attack against Syria will not discourage Syria away from its principles ... or its fight against terrorism supported by some regional and Western countries, first and foremost the United States of America." (More Syria stories.) Report an error