'The Young Turks' reporter Emma Vigeland spoke with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard regarding her trip to Syria where she met with President Bashar al Assad. Gabbard defended her visit and explains that the United States needs to end it's interventionist policy because it's "counter-productive."





REP. TULSI GABBARD (D-HI): This is such an important issue, and I am so glad you have spent time... focusing on the truth around this issue. As you know, for years now in Congress, I have been fighting to bring an end to our country's policy of interventionist coutner-productive regime change wars. Particularly now in Syria.



What many people don't know is that really since 2011-12, our government has been quietly providing arms, money, intelligence and support, both directly and indirectly to militant groups who are partnered with... and working with ISIS and other terrorist groups.





"Since 2011, 2012, our gov't has been quietly providing arms, money, intelligence, and support both directly and indirectly to militant groups..." Gabbard tells Vigeland.



She explains that supporting regime change prolongs the suffering of Syrian people and instead offers an alternative strategy, "Engage with the Syrian government, you engage with Assad, because whether you like it or not, he is the President of that country. And for there to be any hope for peace...there has to be a direct conversation, engagement with President Assad and his government."



She also shares her experience in Syria and the "stark reality" of the people living there, "They almost felt ashamed and apologized, even, for even mentioning their religion. This is something they said, 'we never had to do.'"



But because of armed militants, "If you don't convert to their ideology, they will kill you."

Via TYT: