“We need to have a national debate on these things; it’s not a decision for the president to make in the dead of night.”

The strikes hit the government-controlled Shayrat air base in central Syria, where U.S. officials say the Syrian military planes that dropped the chemicals had taken off.

Italian media report that a nerve gas was used in yesterday’s attack by the forces of the Assad regime against the rebels in this area.

“We find God in every act of mercy we do unto others.”

Many of the 5 million Syrian refugees who scratch out a living in overwhelmed neighboring states such as Jordan aren't necessarily candidates for a rare slot in the resettlement program. Instead, priority is given to the most vulnerable.