MESOP : SHORT CUTS
Pentagon Outlines Plan to Aid Syrian Rebels
U.S. military officials gave a closed-door briefing to Congress on a plan to train and equip Syrian rebels, which calls for a 2,300-man force and likely would not begin until next year (WSJ). However, Pentagon officials said the proposal was still evolving. Meanwhile, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was sworn in Wednesday for an additional seven-year term (Daily Star).