Monday night on All In with Chris Hayes: Congress is back in session and considering intervention in Syria, but its approval may not be needed if a proposed diplomatic solution is reached. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov surprised many Monday with his country’s suggestion that Syria turn over its chemical weapons to the United Nations. The Syrian government welcomed the plan, which would prevent a U.S. military strike against Damascus. However, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken managed expectations at a press conference from the White House, saying, “unfortunately [Syria’s] track record to date” does not inspire confidence in their ability to cooperate. Meanwhile, three heavy hitters continued to make the case for intervention. President Obama, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and National Security Adviser Susan Rice spoke Monday about the horror of last month’s chemical weapons attack and the importance of enforcing international norms against the use of these weapons. NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker will join Chris Hayes to talk about the day’s developments.
Later, Chris Hayes will talk with Lara Setrakian, co-founder & managing editor of Syria Deeply and former Middle East Correspondent for ABC News/Bloomberg Television, about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s interview with CBS This Morning‘s Charlie Rose. Assad spoke about a possible U.S. attack against Syria, imploring President Obama to “expect every action” in retaliation if he orders a strike. Assad also argued that an attack by the United States would be tantamount to supporting Al Qaeda.
Chris Hayes will also be joined by Democratic candidate and front-runner for mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio. The two will discuss outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s claim that de Blasio’s campaign has been racist.
Plus: Sam Stein, political editor and White House correspondent for The Huffington Post, and Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress, will join a discussion about President Obama and the 113th Congress. Congress faces a daunting fall agenda, including immigration and budget issues, but all attention for the time being is on Syria. At the latest whip count Monday afternoon, 26 senators and 32 representatives were a yes, or leaning yes on intervention, while 21 senators and 155 representatives are no or leaning no. The 53 remaining undecided senators and 93 undecided representatives will determine the outcome of the vote.
Rachel Simon
Rachel Simon is a writer and editor based in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is the author of “Pickleball for All: Everything but the ‘Kitchen’ Sink.” Her work has been published in The New York Times, Glamour, Vulture, Teen Vogue and more. You can find her at @rsimon113.