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Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton on Amb. Susan Rice withdrawing her name from consideration for Secretary of State in President Barack O...
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Ambassador Susan Rice tonight -- withdrawing her name from consideration for secretary of state the announcement comes is.
There's conflicting information about whether the current secretary of state.
Will be answering questions from lawmakers on the -- -- attack a week from today joining us now former ambassador to the United Nations.
-- John -- ambassador good to have you with us.
-- this Susan wanna rice withdrawing her name acknowledging the controversy and and moving out of the way of the president's.
-- his political.
Initiatives.
What what your reaction.
Well obviously it has to be difficult personally for her but I think she looked that they are road ahead in the senate and concluded it wasn't worth it I think it may well be yet.
A Smart tactical withdrawal on her point.
-- she might she might become national security advisor in the second term John Kerry.
Might become secretary of state but not stay the full four years.
I think this is as they say -- difficult decision but but certainly not the end of Susan Rice in the Obama administration.
And and you fox poll shows by a wide margin.
And this just today this poll released.
Those surveyed say President Obama should have sent our troops to been Ghazi.
Upon learning about that terrorist attack against -- -- your reaction.
Well it doesn't surprise me and I tell -- I think although some people -- said Susan -- is withdrawal will now allow band Ghazi to sink beneath the radar screen I really don't think so I think it will have the opposite effect.
And I think Senator McCain and senator I -- and senator -- party made that point.
Actually the controversy over the potential -- nomination.
Was diverting attention from Ben Ghazi so with that that cloud removed.
I think those who want to focus on it will be able to and it would now be very very hard.
For the Obama administration to hide behind the pretense that this is just the way of getting Susan Rice and that's why secretary Clinton's testimony next week.
Could be so important if she shows up which I guess is now -- -- -- there seems to be some ambiguity about all of that at least from the side of the State Department.
Turning to Syria -- -- we're giving some.
Considerable.
Suggestion from the Russians we're also assessing what's going on with China but.
It appears that there is very broadening acknowledgment that facades days are now nearing an end.
Your thoughts on that.
Now I think the statement by a Russian deputy foreign minister is quite significant this is the first visible sign the Russians think that aside cannot be saved and it shows I think how worried the Russians are they have back decide to the -- there's never been any doubt about that.
Right now -- he's about to lose power throughout the country in the opposition take over the Russians have to be.
Very worried about their naval base about the direction and -- Syrian government will take about.
What this means for their position in the Middle East as a whole I just hope that they don't decide that they're gonna go after somebody like Mohamed -- -- Back in the days of -- allowed the master again and try and make him their best -- Russia is there any any possibility in your mind that what we're watching as a bit of a ruse.
That already the major decisions decisions have been taken that is that the United States China and Russia have a deal.
And that Russia is just simply letting events.
Transpire.
Two.
To persuade others that.
That they simply lost this when in fact they've got assurances from the US for -- For their naval base and for continued.
Representation if you will presence in the region.
Well it's possible but but it doesn't look like it you know you don't have any indication yet for example that Iran is prepared to blank in -- support for aside.
So I think even if Russia tries to climb down did make up with the opposition.
To try and mitigate its losses no guarantee this civil war is gonna be over -- anytime soon.
John -- thanks for being here per share thank you look.
