Ernst: Russia’s involvement will have disastrous consequences for U.S. and Syria

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today issued the following statement over the Russian airstrikes in Syria:

“Considering the Obama Administration believed expanded Russian involvement in Syria was an asset—even with their longstanding support for Assad—it’s not surprising that under this Administration we only have four or five Syrian opposition members who are actually working with us. The Administration has lost much of its credibility in the eyes of the very people the U.S. wants to protect following naive comments in support of Russian involvement in Syria; whistleblower reports from the intelligence community of politicization of the effectiveness of U.S. efforts in Iraq and Syria; and many of our most effective coalition partners not receiving the weapons and equipment they need to fight.

“Furthermore, the damage done from the Administration’s apparent support of the growing Russian-Assad-Iran effort against the Syrian people will soon be realized as Russia increases its combat operations. Not only will Russia’s involvement have disastrous consequences for the Syrian people, but to our efforts to defeat ISIS, hold Assad accountable for the war crimes he has committed, and to end one of the greatest refugee crises in history.” 

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