A cease-fire between the Syrian government and its opposition could be just weeks away, according to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. But, Arizona Senator John McCain told NPR’s Morning Edition he has serious reservations about such a deal.
Sen. McCain does not believe a deal is that close and worries such a cease-fire would cement a major role in the area for Russia and allow Iran to continue exerting its influence. And, he worries about comments from Kerry that Syrian president Bashar Assad would remain in power under the cease-fire agreement,
“It will either keep Bashar Assad in power or one of his stooges, which is equally as bad,” said McCain.
The senator said what’s needed in Syria is an arming, training and equipping program that works for the Free Syrian Army.
“I would rather have the United States presence. And, I would like to have U.S. trainers," he said. "I would like to have U.S. capabilities there, along with other nations to take ISIS out.”
And, McCain said as far as refugees are concerned, there has to be a vetting process that prohibits an infiltration like we just saw in Paris.