Political Quotes

“The United States military began active engagement in Syria back in September of 2014 when the United States-led coalition began its ongoing airstrike campaign, along with Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. During this period, the Pentagon also administered a $500 million program to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition forces to target ISIS. This effort failed to train many soldiers or to yield the desired results; so the administration scrapped the effort. The wide range of state and nonstate actors in Syria has created one of the most geopolitically complex conflicts in recent memory. This highlights the urgency and the necessity for a clear strategy in Syria: What is the United States' end game? A definition of what success means in Syria. A strong commitment to eliminating any and all threats that ISIS poses to the United States, its allies, or a shift away from the conflict. I believe this administration has been incredibly vague about all of those, and I have repeatedly reached out to the White House on this topic, and I will continue to call on the President to articulate a clear path forward in Syria. Before the United States risks any American lives and resources, the administration, the State Department, and the Department of Defense should provide clarity on U.S. objectives and on how the ongoing use of military force fits into a comprehensive strategy for success in the region.…”