McCain Claims WH ‘Playing Into Putin’s Hands’ by Ending CIA Syria Rebels Program
The administration of President Donald Trump is playing into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin if it canceled the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) program to arm rebels in Syria, US Senator John McCain said in a statement on Thursday.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Wednesday, The Washington Post newspaper reported, citing US officials, that US President Donald Trump had made a decision to end the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) program to arm and train the moderate Syrian opposition.
Administration officials have so far refused to either confirm or deny media reports. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow welcomes any step which would contribute to de-escalation in the Middle East, when asked to comment on the news.
“If these reports are true, the administration is playing right into the hands of Vladimir Putin. Making any concession to Russia, absent a broader strategy for Syria, is irresponsible and short-sighted,” McCain stated.