- The Obama administration has requested $500M to aid Syrian rebels, as a result of the civil war which seems to be expanding into Iraq.
- In a move that increases the United State's role in the crisis, the government is requesting funds to train and arm the rebels, marking its opposing stance which previously sought no heavy involvement in the region.
- The plan is still pending approval from Congess. If executed, the program may not even begin until next year, as training will approximately take six to eight months after the funding is put in place.
- ETFs: GULF, MES