I think the training that we do with other nations might be one of the best investments we make.

I welcome the administration's expeditious response to the situation in Ukraine.

unless, as this committee voted quite some time ago in a bipartisan fashion to arm the vetted Syrian moderate rebels, nothing will change in Assad's equation

I associate myself with the comments suggesting that Russia's move in the Crimea is ultimately a sign of weakness that is likely to lead to bad consequences for Russia.

The Syrian civil war is ultimately the answer to every question.

I think the new Ukrainian Government has done a good job of making clear its concern about Ukrainian citizens, west and east, across the whole country.

The conflict and the Assad regime have become a magnet for foreign fighters, many affiliated with terrorist groups.

President Putin underestimates the commitment of Ukrainians across their country to sovereignty and independence.

We need a policy that checks and counters Russia's self-centered, nationalistic and imperialistic policy.

Putin has cast aside both international law and his nation's own commitments to respect the territorial integrity of the Ukraine.

I remain firmly convinced, and the administration does, that Assad is a magnet, as my colleagues were talking about, not only for foreign fighters and violent extremism, but that as long as Assad remains the civil war will continue and get…

we are going to get in a position where we have anything but the potential of a failed state and the consequences of what that that means to our national security

The Hezbollah activity in Syria has brought more extremist activity into Syria.

We ought to be using our energy resources to accomplish our foreign policy objectives, especially the support of Ukrainian independence.

The hard reality is that the grinding Syrian civil war is now an incubator of extremism on both sides of the sectarian divide.

The other way of looking at it is that it is an advertisement for why we should offer membership to Georgia now, this year, and Ukraine at the appropriate moment.

We support direct dialogue between Kiev and Moscow, facilitated by an international contact group.

We are the top provider of humanitarian aid in the world.

Putin's game is not 21st century statesmanship, but 19th century gamesmanship.

there are costs, and to build patiently, persistently, and firmly counterpressure against what the Russians have already done

I rise this morning to speak about the widening dimensions of the slaughter in Syria. A country of 23 million people, a proud country, is being transformed before our eyes into skeletons, refugees, and ghosts. Three million Syrians have…

may I inquire how much time remains for the Democrats during morning business? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Twelve minutes remain.

I ask unanimous consent to use the remainder of the Democrats' time. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that Basant Sanghera, a Brookings fellow in my office, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of today's session of the Senate. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Should DOD not fund the 11 aircraft carrier fleet in its fiscal year 2016 budget submission, would DOD submit a legislative proposal requesting a change to statute?