White House Tries to Sway War-Weary Public

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is hitting the airwaves to try to convince war-weary Americans that strikes against Syrian President Bashar Assad are needed for the United States' long-term safety.

Reluctant lawmakers are expecting to hear from top administration officials Monday as the White House makes its case for limited military strikes. Officials are already telling lawmakers and the public that any action against Syria would not be like the open-ended commitments the United States made in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Obama plans to make that case directly in six television interviews Monday and a rare primetime speech Tuesday.

Lawmakers, who remain skeptical, could start voting as early as Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Assad has told American journalist Charlie Rose that the U.S. military has a poor track record in the Middle East.