Who is paying for America's plan to train and equip Syrian rebels?
Defense bill writers were told other nations will foot the bill.
The US House of Representatives passed an annual defense bill on Dec. 4 that makes it clear that US allies will pick up a sizable part of the tab for President Barack Obama's plan to train and equip vetted rebels in Syria.
The National Defense Authorization Act permits the mission for the next two years but does not specify a maximum spending amount, even though Obama had asked for $500 million when he unveiled the plan in June. Committee sources say that's because there's enough money for now, after moving around existing funds and factoring in foreign contributions.
"There is reprogramming authority," a House Armed Services Committee aide told Al-Monitor, "but the administration said they did not need funding because other countries will pay for the program."
The House passed the $585 billion bill on a bipartisan 300-119 vote on Dec. 4. The Senate is expected to approve it next week.
