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Dozens of US Diplomats Take Aim at Obama's Syria Policy

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More than 50 diplomats from across the State Department are calling for a new U.S. policy on Syria, including more direct action against Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad.

The officials have all signed an internal document advocating for U.S. military action to pressure Assad into accepting a cease-fire and engaging in peace talks.

One of the officials responsible for the document said it was written in response to five years of failed policy, saying Assad has yet to face consequences for his actions.

Several sources confirm that Secretary of State John Kerry has also recommended a more aggressive U.S. response in Syria, but has been shut down by the White House.

In a statement Thursday night, State Department spokesman John Kirby addressed the recent request by his employees.

"We are aware of a dissent channel cable written by a group of State Department employees regarding the situation in Syria. We are reviewing the cable now, which came up very recently, and I am not going to comment on the contents," said Kirby.

The State Department has 30 to 60 days to respond.

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About The Author

Caitlin Burke Headshot
Caitlin
Burke

Caitlin Burke serves as National Security Correspondent and a general assignment reporter for CBN News. She has also hosted the CBN News original podcast, The Daily Rundown. Some of Caitlin’s recent stories have focused on the national security threat posed by China, America’s military strength, and vulnerabilities in the U.S. power grid. She joined CBN News in July 2010, and over the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to cover stories both domestically and abroad. Caitlin began her news career working as a production assistant in Richmond, Virginia, for the NBC affiliate WWBT