Carson: Syria plan would focus on Putin

CNN ^ | Sun Nov 1, 2015 | Tom LoBianco

[MinorityRepublican]

Washington (CNN)Ben Carson laid out his plan for handling war-torn Syria on Sunday, with a heavy focus on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"My much bigger plan involves, you know, Putin and Iran also," Carson said on ABC's "This Week" Sunday. "Those are the forces that are propping up the Assad regime. And even though Putin came in there and said he was going to fight ISIS, he's really fighting the anti-Assad forces. What we need to be thinking about is how do we oppose him?"

It's a tricky situation for whoever will take the White House next year: finding a way to curb Putin's influence, while not heightening tensions with Russia. In Syria, Carson said he would establish a no-fly zone along the border with Turkey, adding, "We should be doing this in communication with Putin to try and decrease the likelihood of conflict and keeping the forces apart."

[seacapn]

Did he explain why “removing Assad” should be an American goal to begin with? I haven’t seen that from anyone so far. Certainly not a compelling explanation. It’s just assumed. Personally, I don’t care if Assad stays in power. If he does, that’s not my concern.

[marron]

If you (Carson or any candidate) really want to thread the needle, how about discussing how you plan to support the “anti-Assad rebels” without supporting Al Qaeda since they call themselves Al Qaeda.

If you want to discuss the nuances of your middle east policy, how about discussing how you support these people without getting more Christians killed.

[conservativejoy]

What’s Carson going to do, play infomercials in Russia? I didn’t know we could have a weaker President than what we have now, but with Pacifist Carson we would have.

Talk about inviting attacks. It would be non stop.

[Lumper20]

Carson is a SDA and they are CO types. He has no damn business being CINC.

[BusterBear]

Right on, man.