McCain: I’ve Vetted Syrian Rebels, People Not Trusting Them Making ‘Excuses’

[bemildred]

One concern about President Obama‘s counterterrorism strategy against ISIS is the plan to arm moderate Syrian rebels to fight the terrorist group. Arming moderate rebels was a contentious debate last year in the national fight over how to deal with President Bashar al-Assad, but now a new enemy is inspiring the calls for action. John McCain, in one of his rare TV appearances, said on Fox News today that anyone saying they mistrust the Free Syrian Army is just making excuses for not taking action against ISIS.

McCain touted that he’s “vetted a number of them because I know them.” It was at that point Fox aired the infamous photo from last year of McCain and a few Syrian rebels, two of which turned out to be suspected kidnappers. This led to Rand Paul taking a shot at McCain and illustrating this as an example of why it’s hard to properly vet Syrian rebels.

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McCain said today, “Hundreds and even thousands of them have been killed and slaughtered with these barrel bombs and tortured to death by Bashar Assad. They can be trusted. There are groups of them to be trusted.”

And for people not swayed by that argument, McCain threw this out: you got anything better?

“Obviously, there are some risks, but what’s our other option here? If someone who says they can’t––they don’t want to do it because we can’t trust the Free Syrian Army, then what is your option, sir and ma’am, in how we are going to attack ISIS in an effective fashion?”

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/mccain-ive-vetted-syrian-rebels-people-not-trusting-them-making-excuses/

[bemildred]

1. Free Syrian Army will not join US-led coalition against IS

the Free Syrian Army has announced that it will not sign up to the US-led coalition to destroy Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria.

The group’s founder, Colonel Riad al-Asaad, stressed that toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is their priority, and that they will not join forces with US-led efforts without a guarantee that the US is committed to his overthrow.

"If they want to see the Free Syrian Army on their side, they should give assurances on toppling the Assad regime and on a plan including revolutionary principles."

The announcement appears to be reversing an earlier satement on Thursday by the National Coalition opposition, the Free Syrian Army’s political wing, which said it was ready to work with the coalition against IS.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-1651994714

[thatgemguy]

2. Didn't he vet Sarah Palin too? n/t

[hifiguy]

3. Nuff said.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Perfect!!!!!!

[tularetom]

4. I hate to say it but the blind squirrel may have found an acorn here

McCain is probably right. If we're going to get involved we will need allies and where will we find them? ISIS? Obviously not. Pro Assad forces? No way. All that's left is the Free Syrian Army, questionable as their capabilities and loyalty may be.

Of course we could always not get involved but sadly it looks like the president has taken that option off the table.

[TwilightGardener]

6. Well, since Saudi Arabia is going to take these FSA guys into their loving embrace for

training inside the country (and Jordan was too, maybe still is)--hopefully they will be sure of these guys' loyalties and intentions.

[geek tragedy]

5. What do you do when you want all sides to lose? nt

[oldandhappy]

7. one option is to walk away

St. Ronald Reagan did when Iran and Iraq had a war during his terms. And he brought everyone home after the marines were killed in Lebanon -- no war. We like to poke fun at all his medals given out after Grenada. But I respect him for backing off the middle east.