Rep. Levin Statement on U.S. Role in Syria: What's At Stake

U.S. Rep. Sander Levin released a statement Tuesday night following President Barack Obama's televised speech on Syria: 

"The president effectively described why it is in our nation's national security interest to hold Syria accountable for their horrendous use of chemical weapons against their own people. As the president stated, terrible dictators count on people to look the other way, and I do not believe that America looks the other way when it comes to crimes against humanity.  We have a national security interest in stopping the use of chemical weapons, preventing their spread, and signaling to other nations that we will not look the other way.

"As the president made clear, without the threat of a military response to the use of chemical weapons, Syria would not be indicating – with Russia’s support – any willingness to rid itself of these weapons. It is now vital that all nations, including Russia, join in holding Syria to account. The U.S. and other nations must maintain their resolve to respond in the event that Syria does not follow through. What’s at stake is a clear message to all who possess or might develop weapons of mass destruction – whether Iran, North Korea or a terrorist organization like Hezbollah.