NBC晚间新闻 俄罗斯在联合国阻碍对叙利亚行动

Russia blocks action against Syria at UN

俄罗斯在联合国阻碍对叙利亚行动

As the world has watched devastating¹ images of the dead in Syria, the drumbeat for the US to take action is growing louder. But questions remain as to what a military strike against Syria would accomplish for President Obama. NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports.

世界各地都看到了叙利亚令人震惊的死亡画面，美国要求采取行动的呼声越来越大。但是问题仍旧是对奥巴马来说，对叙利亚采取军事行动的结果是什么。NBC的Andrea Mitchell报道。

But first, the rumblings in this city about a possible military attack against Syria as early as this week over its use of chemical weapons. Tonight the pentagon says the US military is ready to attack but in an interview this evening president Obama says he has not made a decision to order a military strike. And there is new pressure on the president. The speaker of the house is demanding him make the case for any military action against Syria. We want to begin our coverage² with NBC's chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell in our Washington newsroom. Andrea, good evening.

reporter: Good evening, Lester. Diplomacy³ came to a dead end add the United Nations when the Russians again blocked any action against Syria. But tonight the president faces a new political challenge as you mentioned from the republican speaker of the house, asking how a military strike serves America's national security? Tonight Mr. Obama spoke⁴ to Judy Woodruff and Gwen Aifle from the PBS Newshour about how close he is to taking military action.

First of all, I've not made a decision. I have gotten options from our military, and had extensive discussions with the national security team. We are consulting with our allies, we are consulting with the international community, and, you know, I have no interest in any kind of open-ended conflict in Syria , but we do have to make sure that when countries break international norms on weapons like chemical weapons that could threaten us, that they're held accountable.

reporter: The president's chief partner against Assad, British Prime Minister David Cameron called a special session of parliament tomorrow to justify⁵ retaliating⁶ against the regime.

We have to confront something that a war crime , something that is a crime against humanity.

reporter: Despite the devastating images of dead men, women and children that have shocked the world and US claims of hard intelligence, even today a week later the Syrian ambassador to the UN accused the rebels of gassing government troops.

Dozens of Syrian soldiers are currently treated in hospitals due to this use of chemical agent by the terrorist armed groups operating in the countryside of Damascus.

reporter: The warships⁷ are ready, the targets are chosen, limited cruise missile strikes against airfield⁸ artillery⁹ and the regime in command and control, but questions tonight from some experts about what a limited strike without a broader strategy would accomplish for the president.

When you're using military power you ought to know what is the political purpose you're trying to achieve. And if it's to stop chemical attacks, a limited military strike won't do it.

And not only does the president have trouble with congress, but tonight British Prime Minister Cameron is being forced to delay any vote to authorise any military action because of opposition¹⁰ in parliament.Might could likely delay any action by the US as well, Lester.

1 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

2 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

3 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？

6 retaliating   

v.报复，反击( retaliate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The administration will begin retaliating in six weeks if EC policies remain unchanged. 凯特先生说，如果欧共体一意孤行，美国政府将于六周后开始报复。 来自互联网

7 warships   

军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只

参考例句：

• The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
• The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。

8 airfield   

n.飞机场

参考例句：

• The foreign guests were motored from the airfield to the hotel.用车把外宾从机场送到旅馆。
• The airfield was seized by enemy troops.机场被敌军占领。

9 artillery   

n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队)

参考例句：

• This is a heavy artillery piece.这是一门重炮。
• The artillery has more firepower than the infantry.炮兵火力比步兵大。

10 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。