A big contrast with the leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. Secretary Clinton favored arming some group of Syrian rebels while still in office and offered nuanced criticism of President Obama earlier this year for not doing so, suggesting that had we armed them ISIS might have been avoided. It was nuanced, but it is clear that she supports the current policy and would have done so two years ago.
Elizabeth Warren does not:
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Thursday voted against legislation authorizing President Obama to arm and train Syrian rebels, taking a stand that could distinguish her from Hillary Clinton in 2016.
She voted against legislation to fund the government until Dec. 11, which included a provision giving Obama Title 10 authority to equip Syrian militants in hopes they will fight violent Sunni extremists.
“I do not want America to be dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, and it is time for those nations in the region that are most immediately affected by the rise of ISIS to step up and play a leading role in this fight,” she said in a statement.
The Hill
I agree with her on this. Finding Syrian rebels that we can trust is a fool's errand. I can accept the bombing campaign of this President against ISIS, but I think the arming of Syrian groups is very risky.
I do not think Elizabeth Warren is running against Hillary Clinton, but I am glad she is raising awareness of this issue.
Update I: From angry marmot, Senator Warren's full statement:
I am deeply concerned by the rise of ISIS, and I support a strong, coordinated response, but I am not convinced that the current proposal to train and equip Syrian forces adequately advances our interests. After detailed briefings, I remain concerned that our weapons, our funding, and our support may end up in the hands of people who threaten the United States — and even if we could guarantee that our support goes to the right people, I remain unconvinced that training and equipping these forces will be effective in pushing back ISIS.
I do not want America to be dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, and it is time for those nations in the region that are most immediately affected by the rise of ISIS to step up and play a leading role in this fight. Therefore, at this time, I cannot support funding for this specific action.