[There was a video here]

President Obama addressed the nation tonight, saying he will “not put American boots on the ground” in Syria if diplomacy fails. Rather, if necessary, he would authorize a “targeted strike” to deter the use of chemical weapons, noting that the effort would not be open-ended or prolonged as the nation is “sick and tired of war.”

He also responded to those who have asked whether or not a strike is worthwhile if Assad isn’t taken out:

Now, some members of Congress have said there's no point in simply doing a pinprick strike in Syria.

Let me make something clear: The United States military doesn't do pinpricks.

While also making clear that he has asked leaders in Congress to postpone any votes while diplomacy is pursued, Obama ended the speech by asking everyone at home to sit down and watch videos of the attack and then ask, “What kind of world will we live in if the United States of 
America sees a dictator brazenly violate international law with poison gas and we choose to look the other way?”

The transcript of the speech can be read here.

[Image via CNN]