James Jeffrey: “We wouldn't pick these allies if we were coming up with a different Middle East, but we have to deal with the Middle…”

the U.S. will not tolerate, quote, 'an attack, period, and that any offensive is to us objectionable as a reckless escalation.'

I took this job on the assumption that this Administration would stand by its commitments and would hold the line on Syria. So far, I believe it has absolutely done so.

Israel is a major player in the Middle East. Its own security and its work with other countries, for example, to defeat ISIS, and to push back on Iran, is absolutely vital for our overall strategy for the region.

If the regime and its sponsors do not accept this path forward, we, aligned with much of the international community, will continue the very broad economic and diplomatic pressure on this regime.