John McCain says President Obama’s ISIS strategy reminds him of Vietnam
The Fine Print
Sen. John McCain says the “gradual escalation” in the fight against ISIS reminds him of the failed strategy that caused the United States to lose the Vietnam War.
“The thing that really bothers me about this very gradual increase, this is what lost the Vietnam War, this kind of gradual escalation,” the Arizona Republican, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for five years, told “The Fine Print” during an interview on Capitol Hill.
“No boots on the ground, then we had to have security around our bases, then we had to have a few more and then a few more,” he continued. “This is the same kind of scene we saw there.”
When Republicans take control of the Senate in January, McCain will become chairman of the Armed Services Committee and vowed to hold President Obama accountable on his foreign policy in his new leadership role.
“I am very sensitive as to the role of the president as commander-in-chief … but at the same time, it is the responsibility of Congress to demand that a policy that is cohesive and productive would be a part of the administration's approach to this huge challenge of radical Islam,” McCain said. “Right now, I don't know of anyone who believes that this administration has a strategy to achieve the president's stated objective of degrading and ultimately defeating ISIS.”
The most pressing needs in the fight against ISIS, McCain said, are to establish a no-fly zone in Syria, increase the number of boots on the ground in supporting roles, and provide weapons directly to the Kurdish forces, known as the Peshmerga, who are fighting the war on the front lines.
Another challenge in confronting ISIS is that the extremist group has shown little restraint in executing hostages, including three Americans. And while McCain does not believe the U.S. should negotiate with the terrorists, he said that U.S. policy on hostages should be reevaluated to allow the distressed families of hostages more flexibility in trying to secure their loved ones’ release.
“If the families in their desperation, understandable, want to try to raise money to whatever can bring their loved ones out, I would openly state that they will not be held in violation of the law,” he said.
Beyond the specific foreign policy issue he hopes to tackle in the next session of Congress, McCain said it’s “imperative” that the GOP demonstrate responsible governance in the majority as the party looks ahead to the presidential race in 2016.
“I think that the 2016 election will largely be decided by whether Republicans in the majority know how to govern or not,” McCain said. If we are just obstructionists and viewed that way by the American people then I don't think we will succeed.”
That’s particularly important, McCain said, if Hillary Clinton becomes the Democratic nominee in 2016, as many expect she will. “One of the things is: We Republicans show we can govern, she is going to have a problem with following a very unpopular administration -- I know what that's like,” McCain joked, referring to his role following President George W. Bush as the Republican presidential nominee in 2008.
McCain also discussed his latest book, “13 Soldiers: A Personal History of Americans at War,” which profiles one soldier from each of the United States’ major military conflicts since the Revolutionary War.
“We tried to select one person who we thought not only epitomized the conflict and what they went through, but also that ordinary people do exceptional things,” McCain said of the book, which he wrote in collaboration with co-author Mark Salter.
Two women service members are among those profiled in the book. McCain said that the story of Monica Lin Brown, who is the book’s soldier for the Afghanistan war, should “absolutely” put to rest the debate over whether women should be allowed to serve in combat roles.
“Monica Lin Brown was with a convoy, one of them hit an IED, people were wounded -- she rushed right into the battle -- she was able to save lives,” McCain said. “The issue of women in combat should have been resolved long ago.”
For more of the interview with McCain, and hear about his own political ambitions in 2016, check out this episode of “The Fine Print.”
ABC News’ Ali Dukakis, Tom Thornton, Hank Brown and John Glennon contribute to this episode.
No comments:
Post a Comment