McCain: Without American action, Assad could remain in power | The Times of Israel

Arizona and New Jersey senators voice bipartisan support for military backing for Syrian rebels, skeptical of diplomacy’s efficacy

By Elhanan Miller May 25, 2013, 11:06 pm 

US Republican Senator John McCain speaking in Jerusalem in February 2012 (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

DEAD SEA, JORDAN — Syrian President Bashar Assad will likely remain in power unless decisive American action is taken to remove him, US Senator John McCain (R-AZ) said Saturday.

Speaking to the press at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa at the Jordanian Dead Sea, the former presidential candidate voiced skepticism ahead of a planned international conference on the Syrian civil war next month, popularly referred to as Geneva 2..................

FULL ARTICLE: McCain: Without American action, Assad could remain in power | The Times of Israel

McCain: ‘Damned Foolishness’ To Think U.S. Can Not Arm Right People in Syria | Washington Free Beacon

Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) called the idea that the U.S. could not arm the right rebels in Syria to fight Bashir al-Assad “damned foolishness” in an interview with Charlie Rose Tuesday.  

McCain has pushed for establishing a safe zone and supplying rebel forces with necessary weaponry. He was especially frustrated with Gen. James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, and Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, two administration officials who once favored arming rebels but said they were skeptical because of growing Islamist influence.

 “Well, doesn’t that mean it was a terrible tragic failure that we didn’t act then and get these weapons to the right people then?” McCain asked. “And of course it’s damned foolishness. Of course we can get the weapons to the right people. Of course if we set up a Benghazi in Syria, we can get them to the right people.”  

FULL ARTICLE: McCain: ‘Damned Foolishness’ To Think U.S. Can’t Arm Right People in Syria | Washington Free Beacon