Rogers: US looking at ‘best-worst option’ in Syria

{mosads}Rogers said that in the two years that Bashar al-Assad had fought to retain control of Syria amid a violent uprising, the U.S. has not responded to allies’ requests to step up and provide assistance.

While not advocating for troops on the ground, Rogers said there could be “strong U.S. leadership and bringing special capabilities to this particular problem.”

And with escalating violence in Egypt following the military’s ouster of President Mohammed Morsi, Rogers emphasized that the U.S. too had a role to play there.

Rogers said the U.S. must try and calm the growing violence there after dozens were killed by security forces during a protest on Saturday. He added that it was crucial for the U.S. to distinguish between any secular political movement and efforts to regain power by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Rogers also said Americans had an economic interest in ensuring Egypt remains stable.

“Five percent of the world’s oil every single day goes through the Suez Canal,” he said. “If this spills over and they lose control of Egypt, it will have real economic impacts for us at home.”

Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday called on Egypt’s leaders to “step back from the brink” amid fears the violence could worsen.