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out a response would present a significant challenge to, threat to the United States' national security," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday.
• The U.S. and international partners were unlikely to undertake military action before Thursday. That's when British Prime Minister David Cameron will convene an emergency meeting of Parliament, where lawmakers were expected to vote on a motion clearing the way for a British response.
• Obama and Cameron spoke Tuesday, their second known conversation since the weekend. A Cameron spokesman said the two leaders agreed that a chemical attack had taken place, and that the Assad regime was responsible. Cameron "confirmed that the government had not yet taken a decision on the specific nature of our response, but that it would be legal and specific to the chemical weapons attack," the spokesman said.
• ___

• WASHINGTON (AP) -- Preparations for a highly anticipated strike on Syria could lead to an awkward decision on timing.
• Few doubt that President Barack Obama is preparing for a U.S.-led military action to retaliate for what the U.S. and its allies say was a deadly chemical weapons attack perpetrated by the Syrian government. But there are few good options for when to attack.
• Wednesday, for example, would make for an uncomfortable juxtaposition of themes. That's the day Obama will stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, paying tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on the 50th anniversary of the nonviolent leader's "I Have a Dream" speech.
• Thursday is also problematic. That's when British Prime Minister David Cameron is set to convene an emergency meeting of Parliament, where lawmakers are expected to vote on a motion clearing the way for Britain to respond to the alleged chemical weapons attack.
• Days later, on Tuesday, Obama embarks on an overseas trip that will take him away from the White House for most of the week.
• ___

• NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Police Department has secretly labeled en

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