This is how it starts. In a brief follow-up to Secretary of State John Kerry's statements today, President Obama this afternoon slammed the U.N. Security Council's "incapacity" to act in Syria and said that he is considering an American intervention to try and mitigate that nation's attacks on its civilians. Don't call it a "war," though; President Obama prefers a "limited, narrow act."

Obama gave his remarks, which were not broadcast live, before a meeting with Baltic leaders. According to NBC News, the president said that the "wide range of options" the administration is currently looking over does not include any plan that would put American soldiers onto Syrian soil:

"In no event are we considering any kind of military action that would involve boots on the ground, that would involve a long-term campaign, but we are looking at the possibility of a limited narrow act that would help make sure that not only Syria but others around the world understand that the international community cares about maintaining this chemical weapons ban and norm," he said.

Obama added that intelligence saying Syria is using chemical weapons is a threat to American national security. "[W]hen over a thousand people are killed, including hundreds of innocent children, through the use of a weapon that 98 or 99 percent of humanity says should not be used even in war, and there is no action, then we’re sending a signal," said Obama. "That is a danger to our national security."

In response to the growing calls for intervention in Syria, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said recently that "Syria will defend itself against any aggression."

[Image via AP]