Week In The News: Syrian Aid, NSA Leaks, Colorado Fires

NSA leaks and Edward Snowden. Immigration moves. Colorado on fire. Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

It was the NSA surveillance leak week, and then, suddenly, the U.S. arms to Syria week. Outrage over the leak and the surveillance as high school dropout Edward Snowden told his tale from hiding in Hong Kong. Big questions as the White House affirmed chemical weapon use in Syria and said the U.S. will step up military support to the rebels.

At home, more fireworks over military sexual assault and the chain of command. Immigration moves. The high court rules against patenting genes. More fire in Colorado.

Up next On Point: Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.
-- Tom Ashbrook

Mark Mazzetti, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and national security correspondent for the New York Times. His new book is "The Way Of The Knife: The CIA, A Secret Army, And A War At The Ends Of The Earth." (@MarkMazzettiNYT)

Susan Davis, chief congressional reporter for USA Today. (@DaviSusan)

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst

ABC News: Obama Steps up Military Aid to Syrian Rebels -- "President Barack Obama's decision to authorize lethal aid to Syrian rebels marks a deepening of U.S. involvement in the two-year civil war. But U.S. officials are still grappling with what type and how much weaponry to send the opposition forces and how to ensure it stays out of the hands of extremists battling for control of Syria."

The Guardian: Top 10 Commentaries On The NSA Leaks And Whistleblower Edward Snowden — "Some call Snowden a hero; others label him a traitor. Here's our compilation of the best of the debate in the US media."

The Washington Post: Border Security At Issue As Senate Debates Far-Reaching Immigration Bill -- "In addition to taking steps to secure the border and begin a legalization process for millions, the White House-backed legislation would increase the number of visas for highly skilled workers, create a new program for the lesser-skilled to work in the United States and overturn a family-based system for legal immigration that has been in place for decades."

The Denver Post: Live Blog: Coverage Of Colorado's Wildfires — "Wildfires in Black Forest near Colorado Springs, Royal Gorge Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are all burning as temperatures verging on triple digits and high winds hit Colorado."

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