Alaska’s senators cool on Obama Mideast plan

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says he opposes calls by President Barack Obama to arm rebels in Syria.

He says the U.S. needs greater assurances it would not be arming “extremists” who eventually would use the weapons against this country.

On Wednesday, Obama laid out a plan for a new military front in the Middle East, including airstrikes inside Syria and expanded strikes in Iraq as part of an effort to root out Islamic State extremists.

Obama announced plans to send more troops to advise and help Iraqi security forces and called on Congress to authorize the training and arming of Syrian rebels fighting Islamic State militants and Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Obama fell short in defining clear objectives, such as what constitutes victory.