text: I am concerned that, unless the international community responds in a unified manner, the Assad regime will be emboldened to widen its use of chemical warfare and further destabilize the region and threaten us. ThatÛªs why I believe that, together with our international partners and SyriaÛªs neighbors, a surgical and targeted air strike is needed as long as it is limited to degrading SyriaÛªs chemical weapons capabilities and does not involve U.S. ground forces.