McCain sees ‘viable’ options in Syria

The U.S. needs to rethink its strategy in Syria now that peace talks have essentially stalled, Sen. John McCain said Sunday.

Blaming the Obama administration, the Arizona Republican described America’s policy in Syria as an “abysmal failure and a disgraceful one.”

“The president was still touting at the State of the Union the removal of chemical weapons,” which is way behind schedule, McCain said. And an uptick in violence corresponding with peace talks breaking down in Switzerland show Syria's civil war is likely to continue.

“None of us want boots on the ground, but to not revisit other options, which are viable … it’s shameful,” McCain said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “There are viable options, there is a viable Free Syrian Army … there is still viable opposition that we can help and assist.”

The delay of the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile and escalating violence by Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime have made the situation much worse in recent weeks, McCain added. If the U.S. doesn’t change the outcome now, the tensions in Syria could spread into a regional conflict that would draw the United States in no matter what, he added.

“I do not believe we are out of options; there are many options, if we have the courage to pursue them,” the senator said.