Missile strikes against Syria could be launched "as early as Thursday," senior U.S. officials said Tuesday to CNBC TV, as the White House intensified efforts toward an international response to the suspected use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government. The officials spoke of "three days" of strikes that would be limited in scope and carry a message to the Assad regime. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the BBC that the US military is “ready to go” for when Obama orders action.