Christiane speaks with Gen. Salim Idriss, the Chief of Staff for the Free Syrian Army.
Check showtimes to see when Christiane Amanpour is on CNN where you are. Or watch online.
By Samuel Burke, CNN
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen confirmed on Monday that the military alliance is expected to deploy Patriot missiles to Turkey's border as a preventive measure against spillover from Syria’s civil war.
Rasmussen told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that he anticipates that foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday would make a decision the same day and expects them to “respond positively” to the Turkish requests.
Three locations along Turkey’s southeast border with Syria have already been identified as possible locations for the Patriot missiles, which would come from the United States, Germany and the Netherlands, and would take just weeks to deploy according to Rasmussen.
U.S. officials tell CNN that they are increasingly concerned that Bashar al-Assad is preparing chemical weapons for use.
MORE: U.S. warns Syria off chemical weapons
President Barack Obama has repeatedly warned that the use or mass movement of Syrian chemical weapons would bring a swift and dramatic response.
Rasmussen hopes that the Patriot missiles might prevent chemical weapons from being used.
“I do hope that the fact that we will deploy Patriot Missiles in Turkey will serve as an effective deterrent so that any potential aggressor will have to think twice before even considering an attack on Turkey,” Rasmussen said. He also made clear that the existence of stockpiles of chemical weapons in Syria is a matter of “great concern.”
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan told Amanpour in September, “If the slightest suggestion of such an attempt should emerge, not only in Turkey, but the attitude of the entire globe is going to change forever. And that's my biggest concern.”
NATO Allies are monitoring the chemical weapons closely.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it would “not use these types of weapons, if they were available, under any circumstances against its own people."
But Rasmussen admitted that it is hard to know what the Syrians would actually do, given everything the regime has done during the 20-month civil war.
The Patriot Missiles bring along with them anti-aircraft capabilities, though Rasmussen maintained that they are not an aim at preparing a no-fly zone.
“I do believe that it will have a deescalating effect because the deterrent in itself will make it necessary for potential aggressors to think twice before they even think about attacking Turkey,” Rasmussen told Amanpour. He added that NATO has no intention to intervene militarily, saying, “I do believe that the right way forward, when it comes to the conflict in Syria, is to find a political solution.”
Syria has called the Patriot plan “provocative,” and its allies Russia and Iran have protested what they regard as a first step toward implementing a no-fly zone or military action against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Turkey Monday for meetings including with Erdogan.
A U.S. State Department official traveling with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the U.S. is supporting Turkey’s request for the missiles, and that the provision of a missile defense system should not be seen as a shadow effort to set up a no-fly zone or a safe haven for Syrian rebels along the Turkish border.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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another provacative step towards WW 111 by the western war criminals
again the chemical weapons propaganda of lies being spread by the US
You are a small minded, ill read infant that stumbled on to a site for adults. Leave and go back to South Park.
It seems like you are the child, calling other people names. Maybe you should refrain from posting on this site.
Towel head gibberish.
So what is the alternative??? I'd love to hear your plan.
I like how Putin is in Turkey, when he received the news, lol..
Turkey? wasn't Thanksgiving 2 weeks ago?
Derpity,
If you come across a pubic hair, please return it to its rightful owner.
Derpity, this post you sent is nothing but a reflection of your mental age.
UN should wade into this Syrian Crisis before it's late.
Well, here we go AGAIN. Becoming an ally with, and BACKING Muslim Brotherhood members in their attempt to overthrow the LEGAL government of ANOTHER Mid-East country. That government has EVERY right to STOP the violent overthrow of their government. Mubbarek, Libya, now Syria. How many countries are going to be betrayed by the US, beofre someone takes it personal? 9/11 taught THIS government NOTHING, (OBVIOUSLY) about interfering with Mid-East business. I also wonder what OUR own government would do to citizens of the US who didn't like/want their own government. Remember Kent State?
The governments of Egypt, Libya and Syria are LEGITIMATE? How do you come to that conclusion? They are brutal and oppressive. We in the U.S. overthrew OUR government (King George III) over far lesser abuses than these. However, you may be correct that we shouldn't get involved in these nations' problems. But if we choose to stay out, it will NOT be because these are legitimate governments, but because it's not in our best interest to interfere.
Sid
"Remember Kent State?"
I do. Do you?
Comparing the overthrow of a government to a student protest which left 4 dead is incredibly thick-headed of you.
The governments that are taking over are far worse than the current ones. The muslim brotherhood is bad news for these countries and the rest of the world. Look at what is already happening in Egypt. These are not Syrians that are fighting assad. This is the muslim brotherhood from other countries. It would be different if it were Syrians wanting a better life. That's just not the case.
If Iran supports Assad how can the Muslim Brotherhood be behind the protests in Syria?
Iran is the great promotor of the MB in the Middle East.
It is time to attack. All this messing around with small counter measures is useless. We need to go in by land, sea, and air, guns blazing and get control of the situation then hang around long enough to make sure things are peaceful.
You first, tough guy.
If you aren't in the military, then you need to STFU.
I am in the military. Perhaps you should STFU scrub.
You play too many XBOX war games. The world isn't a video game.
I think you should STFU especially if you are in the military. If you post something that ignorant, you shouldn't be in the military representing America. Syria is on the other side of the F&^$in world, how would that fix problems in OUR country? You are saying it's ok to blow our tax money on unnecessary war and the breeding of additional terrorists in that region?
I don't trust Turkey anymore....I would not give them advanced missiles.....too many Islamist s in the military
No missles for Turkey. Let muslims kill among themselves. The more Muslims around the world the better chance of terrorism. Let them die.
dude ill fu**k your sister man.
I don't believe the missiles are simply precautionary or symbolic. I believe there is a planned intervention in the works, and the Patriots and anti-missile missile, are positioned to thwart Syrian retaliation
You BELIEVE? I call what your doing disinformation
I can make Romney noodles Obama self!!
Peace is what we need, our leaders should work towards a peaceful world.
I think it is great they are killing each other. That's all they know. Say out of it and let nature takes it course. Less we have to deal with in the future.
My post are not shown.......
This comment box is a scam! Comment only suitable for their publication are shown.....this is a shame Amanpour.
NATO, UN ,US has failed to put an end to the war in Syria and this is in its 21st month. Assad lives on but Gadaffi was taken out in no time......shame.