Gen. Dempsey said the administration was considering using “kinetic strikes” in Syria and said "issue is under deliberation inside of our agencies of government,” the Associated Press reported from Washington.

Last month, the Obama administration concluded that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons during the ongoing battles. Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes said, “The intelligence community estimates that 100 to 150 people have died from detected chemical weapons attacks in Syria to date; however, casualty data is likely incomplete.”

Pres. Obama said previously that the use of chemical weapons would cross a “red line” and likely trigger American intervention. When the White House concluded Assad had relied on chemical warfare, Rhodes said, “both the political and the military opposition . . . is and will be receiving US assistance."

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that he will do his best to live up to U.S. military members’ legacy of service to the nation and to lead the Defense Department through an era of historic transitions if the Senate approves his nomination to serve a second term as the nation’s top military officer.

President Barack Obama nominated Dempsey to continue serving as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the principal military advisor to the president, defense secretary and the rest of the National Security Council.

Dempsey vowed to strengthen the relationship of trust within the military and the bonds of trust between the American people and their military.