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Lt. Col Robert Maginnis and FOX News National Security Analyst KT McFarland on the reaction to weekend massacres in Syria.
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The United States some of our allies shifting out Syrian diplomats and a concerted response to the massacre more than a hundred in this and Syrian people women -- children among them.
The the White House saying military intervention is on the table.
But not just yeah.
Joining us now to Parse what the White House is saying and what it should be doing national security expert lieutenant colonel Robert Maginnis.
Fox -- national security analyst KT McFarland who's held national security posts under presidents Nixon.
Ford and Reagan.
-- -- Bob let me begin with you you wrote an article and on on the issue of intervention in Syria at a time when both political parties seem to me at least.
To be clamoring.
Four intervention of some support.
On the conservative side there trying to finesse -- a bit it sounds like group.
Retirement special forces are Covert of course.
Intervention.
And others saying this president needs to be strong and commit troops and resources whatever is required.
Your view of the strategy that's correct.
Well it sounds like -- counterinsurgency.
Mixed with Olivia lights and perhaps a little bit of what we did in.
2003.
In Iraq -- We're not gonna get a coalition to go in and do what we did in Iraq clue we're probably not gonna get a -- -- but NATO may decide differently but.
Once again that will require most of our effort because we paid more than half of that activity in Libya.
-- as I look at this were probably gonna continue we know that what the Obama administration intends to do and that is to arm them with the Arab League you know which and humanitarian efforts.
But that can last for a long long time you know -- the study few years ago said.
If the average successful counterinsurgency last twelve years are we willing to wait that long are we willing to participate in it seems to me.
It I've worked for the Turks have work with the Jordanian military.
Very capable militaries on north and south of Syria.
If they were serious and they are concerned about that and the saudis wanted to pump some money in there I'm sure they can take care this problem but what we don't need.
Is more US forces going into another Middle East War we have enough tough issues right now my -- treated you very.
I think that there isn't military option here why for three reasons one.
This Syrian military has not affected there is no large number of high ranking Syrian army officials -- gone over to the rebel side so there is don't rebel army to arm.
20 series got a lot of really important and rich and powerful friends in the region and with out.
Iran and most particularly Russia and three we don't have the bandwidth you know we -- -- with Libya which took much longer than anybody thought.
Which was predominantly in American effort that any kind of NATO activity probably -- again haven't.
But what I look at -- -- I think it's had a snake cut off the tail -- the head the head of this snake is Iran.
Our Ronnie were about to launch very significant sanctions on Iran within the next thirty days.
Don't get distracted by Syria to go after Iran.
Topple the Iranian regime Syria then falls of its own way we learn that when I -- for President Reagan he understood go after the Soviet Union.
Don't get distracted and then the rest of it falls with its own -- if you wage economic warfare.
And this arriving state Russia.
Is supporting Syria.
And -- still making it very clear whether it be through its blocking actions in the United Nations or its direct support in providing arms to Syria.
That it will not tolerate.
In the intrusion.
-- no matter how.
No rule on Mobley and -- -- Do you know when your your view colonel.
No we have Russian ships and Syrian -- we have Russian advisors in Damascus and they've been there for some time they provide weapons.
The you do have to deal with the Iranian -- issue you have to deal with the expansionist.
Vladimir potent issue here you know he once saw a piece of the Middle East.
Yeah outside you have these issues that are very complex and they are.
They're really flogging to a certain degree -- that the that terrible crisis we have the death of the day we're gonna continue having those unfortunately.
You know once again if you want this.
Resolved you have to go to the neighborhood they have the capability if they really want to take care of it.
Do not send US forces in there do not send US bombers in there.
You know NATO has the capability and -- the region we don't need to send our people who have been fighting all over the world that seems like for a long time.
It.
Seems like and if we do the math it is a long time for crying out -- our air force has been effectively at war.
Since 1990.
In the Middle East that is flying missions.
Over Iraq.
And well beyond.
-- -- we thank you very much for being with us rob thank you very much we appreciate -- both being here.
