Lieberman: It's time to take action in Syria
(CNN) - Independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut called Sunday for the United States to provide direct assistance to the Syrian people in their struggle to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
"It's time to try to help the brave Syrian freedom fighters to carry out a fair fight," he said on CNN's "State of the Union."
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U.N. officials estimate 6,000 people have died since protests seeking political reforms in Syria began nearly a year ago.
So far, the Obama administration has recalled the U.S. ambassador to Syria and imposed sanctions, while pushing unsuccessfully for a U.N. Security Council resolution against the Assad regime.
However, it has resisted calls by veteran Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and some Republican presidential candidates to take a larger role in backing the Syrian opposition movement.
Lieberman, who caucuses with the Democrats and chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, argued that any U.S. effort must be part of an international coalition, similar to the nation's involvement in Libya last year.
He also suggested that U.S. assistance first come through medical help, then later through training, communications equipment, and ultimately, weapons.
The United States has major security interests in aiding Syria, which gets support from Iran, Lieberman said.
Pointing to the recent veto by Russia and China of a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at halting the violence, Lieberman said other countries and coalitions must get involved.
"America ought to take the position that every option is on the table except doing nothing, because doing nothing means hundreds of more Syrians are killed and it means that Iran, which continues to give Assad the weapons with which he's killing his own people, will achieve a strategic victory over us," Lieberman told CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley.
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Watch State of the Union with Candy Crowley Sundays at 9am ET. For the latest from State of the Union click here.
I neither like or trust anything from Lieberman. He has a way of being for the wrong side.
Liberman is radical lobbiest of Israel, which has no ideas about international politics and internal politics. Who can forget what he mentioned about president Obama in three years ago? He is all foreighn policy dictated by Israel leadership. I am glad he is retireing and we do not hear from him any more. I hope.
No Joe, time for the US to stop playing policeman of the world and actually worry about Americans for a change. The US ids becoming a third world country as we try to police the third world, total nonsense.
Hell no, stay out of their business and let the Russians handle things unless tey ask for help
It is time for Arab League to take care of this. I will support that.
No. No. No. NO! We do not need to save each and every country that cannot save itself! We don't have the funds for our own people to eat, find and keep housing, provide medical care...the list is endless. I feel bad for the good people in Syria, but it's NOT our war. We need to mind our own business and let other countries be the big brother for once!
Let Russia and China deal with this, since they were the blockers at the UN. Clearly, this is their battle, as well as those in the mid-east. Please do not allow any American to shed blood on this one.
Lieberman is also Democrat. He already supported Clinton.
"Where is America?" cried one pleading Syrian to the news. I'm sorry but don't they hate us? In the past, haven't we seen images of people in the middle east countries denouncing America? Burning our flag? Chanting "Death to America." Now they cry out for our aid, and as soon as it is over they will call us imperialist occupiers. Are other middle east countries preparing to provide military assistance to the rebels in Syria? As Assad slaughters thousands of Muslims, where is the out cry in the Arab world? Who is chanting "Death to Assad"?
Leaders of Middle east nations will give NATO and the US a "silent" wink and a nod to give aid to Syrian rebels and help other throw Assad; then allow their news media to continue to portray the west as evil.
American lives should not be lost in Syria and American tax payer dollars should remain here!
Is there no end to the number of wars that this traitor will insist that Americans pay for and die for on behalf of Israel?
Pipe down, Joe.
We have our own problems to deal with.
Saudi has plenty of military resources.
Let them deal with it.
If you think Iraq was bad, then multiply that x 2 for Syria. Lieberman needs to pack his bag and leave the country.
Where are the other two stooges (McCain/Graham) who like every war they can talk the US into entering?
Pipe down, Joe.
We have our own problems to deal with.
Saudi has plenty of military resources.
Let them deal with it.
We have too much on our plate already. Iran is waiting in the wings.
another israeli lobbyist mouthing off fo israel's interest and not america..none of our buisness. period!
@mbwhelton Iraq and Syria are already aligned with Iran, in fact Iran is making sure the regime doesn't fall.
We don't need to get involve in every conflict that occurs in the world. We aren't the world police force. We as Americas are tired of seeing our young people shed their blood over seas.
So far he and that other combat-ineligible, McCain, haven't started thier "we gotta send combat troops" routine...sure when the Arab League/U.N./and most of the world ask us to HELP we should do so....we can do what needs to be done without ground troops...
Why must the US act? Where are the Jihadist? Why aren't they taking up arms and coming to the aid of their women and children,Their holy mosque and fellow Muslims, or is that only when there are Americans on the ground trying to help that they feel a need to react, when will fellow Muslims rally together to help their innocent ones. Because I see little saber waving or mass rallies in muslin nations denouncing these inhuman acts. how very interesting
No-doubt (???), if a State of Palestine existed many innocent lives could be spared, as Palestinians would open their doors to Syrian refugees.
Give Liberman a gun and let him go over fight leave our boys out of it
I say no help from the West!
Lieberman & McCain are "warhawks". Our military men and women been in wars for 10 years, this country is not fighting everybody battles.
Don’t you think it’s time for Lieberman put US interests ahead of Israeli ones? Every body knows that Military action in Syria will mean regional war that could become nuclear war with Russia and China involved and Iran of course and calling for this at a time where we are trying to cut budget and get economy back on track is traitorous.
As always, the GOP will blast Obama for taking no action, and blast him when he does. Too soon, too late, too much, not enough. This country is more about election year politics than anything else.