Washington is supporting U.N. and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's peace initiative, which calls for a cease-fire and a political solution.

CNN: Military options for Syria considered if crisis worsens

More recently, we played a key role in supporting the U.N. intervention - again, Blue Helmets in the Congo - and we paid 25 percent of the bill.

NPR: U.S. Non-Intervention In Syria Could Mirror Outcome In Congo

But Yugoslavia refused to withdraw without a U.N. resolution supporting the peace plan agreed to earlier by Belgrade.

CNN: graphic

Russia has been Assad's staunch ally, supplying Damascus with weapons, shielding the regime from tougher U.N. sanctions and supporting Assad in his resolve to remain in power.

NPR: Syrian Regime Battles Rebels Outside Damascus

The U.N. was effectively freeing men to keep the war going by supporting their families.

CNN: Darfur diary: Best of a bad situation

And we think that -- U.S. forces are playing a constrained supporting role in a multinational coalition whose operations are both legitimized by and limited to the terms of a U.N.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing