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The suggestion is in direct contradiction with many others in the Republican Party, notably Tea Party favorite Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulGOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill Overnight Health Care: Senate Democrats block GOP relief bill | Democrats reveal Medicaid chief's spending on high-paid consultants | Trump calls question about why he 'lied' about COVID-19 a 'disgrace' MORE (R-Ky.), who would much prefer the United States disengage from conflicts that don't directly threaten the United States.

“These governments, and others like them, don’t want al-Qaeda affiliates exploiting their countries any more than we do,” McCain said. “They have a lot of will to resist these groups. They just need help with the means. The U.S. military can play this role better than any force in the world. And it is in our interest to do so far more than we are currently.”

McCain said that strategy of renewing U.S. leadership had to start with a greater role in Syria, where Islamist radicals are gaining ground in the fight against Bashar Assad. McCain visited the country last year with rebel leaders.

“An alternative strategy must begin with a credible Syria policy,” he said. “Our friends and allies in the Middle East are crying out for American leadership, as I heard again last week.”

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