James Woolsey, who served as CIA director under Bill Clinton, is now a senior adviser to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. He spoke to FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman about how he thinks Trump should deal with Russia and Syria if elected.

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Donald Trump’s senior adviser told FRANCE 24 that the Republican presidential candidate is not cosying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin but is trying to distance himself from the failed Obama administration policy vis-à-vis Moscow. He denied allegations that Russia is trying to disrupt the presidential race to favour Trump, dismissing them as mere “campaign talk”.

The former CIA chief urged the use of US airpower to tilt the balance of power in Syria against Bashar al-Assad, using the example of the policy pursued against Serbia in the 1990s - this in complete contradiction to recent remarks made by Trump, who said it was a “big mistake” to bomb the Serbs.

James Woolsey blasted Hillary Clinton for the controversial use of her private email server and argued that Edward Snowden, the American whistleblower now in Russia, shouldn’t be pardoned by the Obama administration and instead should be tried for treason and sentenced to death.

Finally, he steadfastly refused to comment on the allegations of sexual assault against candidate Trump.

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