The Pentagon has confirmed the White House has authorized the early stages of planning for potential military action in Syria. Speaking before a Senate committee, General Martin Dempsey, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said military officials have prepared a preliminary "commanders’ estimate" on how a battle would play out for President Obama’s National Security Council. Dempsey outlined some of the military actions the United States could take. Syria’s deputy oil minister has announced he is resigning from his post and aligning himself with the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. Abdo Husameddine is the highest-ranking Syrian official to defect in the year-long uprising against Assad to date. In a video statement, Husameddine said he had served for 33 years in various government posts, but that he is now leaving the regime and "joining the dignified people’s revolution."  Democracy Now!, a daily independent newshour

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