NBC晚间新闻 美国打击叙利亚会发生什么（在线收听）

What happens if the US strikes Syria?

美国打击叙利亚会发生什么？

If the US takes action against Syria that causes the current regime to collapse, rebels will be left fighting for control and Assad may resort to using chemical weapons. But if the strikes have no impact, nothing may change at all. NBC’s Richard Engel reports.

如果美国采取行动打击叙利亚会导致现在的政府垮台，反对派会争取控制权，阿萨德可能依靠使用化学武器反击。但是如果打击没有什么影响，那么什么都不会改变。NBC的Richard Engel报道。

We heard the president talking about meeting with his national security team that's because of a lot of "what ifs" here in striking Syria. The stakes high, the consequences are known in a region already known for instability. Our chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel in the region tonight with more on what's happening on the ground in Syria. Richard, good evening.

reporter: Good evening, Lester. The US, frankly, faces bad choices for Syria due too little and it looks weak too much could create even more chaos in the region. UN inspectors back in work today collecting blood samples looking for evidence of chemical weapons. A top UN envoy said indications are they were used but they didn't say who did it.

Some kind of substance was used that killed a lot of people. Some people say 300, maybe 1,000, may more than 1,000, but this is of course unacceptable, this is outrageous.

reporter: The US wants to continue inspections says it's necessary before military action, but Syrians aren't counting on the US listening. The Wall Street Journal's Sam Dagger is in Damascus tonight.

On the surface, everything is normal. I mean the checkpoints are operating, normal around the city. The city center is firmly controlled by the government, and the government forces.

reporter: But there are fears they already simmering middle east could boil. What could follow if the US. strikes? How will Syrians allies respond? Iran backs Syria. So does Hezbollah and Lebanon, Iraq and Russia. Iran and Hezbollah both have missiles that can hit Israel. Israel put its missile defense system on high alert, deployed more troops near the Syrian border and calmed up reservists as Israelis lined up for gas masks. What happens if Assad falls? A lot depends on how far the US goes. Big strikes, and the Syrian regime could collapse leaving rebels including a growing number allied to Al Qaeda to fight for control. Assad, desperate, could even use more chemical weapons and what happens if the strikes have no impact? Assad stays in power, and there will be little justice for this man, reunited with his son missing since the gas attacks. Presumed dead like his brothers or the still unidentified dead children like baby number 14 on a postboard clinic out Damascus. Many Syrians say they don't want the regime to just get a slap on the wrist. Lester?

Alright, Richard Engel tonight, thank you.