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Senators McCain, Graham Push to Arm Syrian Rebels

They argue that a new government there would weaken Iran

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 20, 2012 8:52 AM CST

(Newser) – John McCain and Lindsey Graham think the US isn't doing enough to help the Syrian opposition, and have drawn up proposals to provide humanitarian aid and arm rebel fighters. "I believe there are ways to get weapons to the opposition without direct United States involvement," McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said yesterday in Kabul, according to the New York Times. He believes the guns could be funneled through "third-world countries" and the Arab League.

"The Iranians and Russians are providing Bashar Assad with weapons," McCain continued. "People that are being massacred deserve to have the ability to defend themselves." Graham, a fellow Armed Services Committee member, brought up Iran as well, noting that action taken in Syria could weaken Iran. "Breaking Syria apart from Iran could be as important to containing a nuclear Iran as sanctions," he reasoned. The statements go well beyond the Obama administration's official promise to support peaceful protests.

John McCain talks at the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

John McCain appears on NBC's "Meet the Press" in Washington, Jan. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/NBC News, William B. Plowman)

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., walk on Capitol Hill in Washington Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. (AP PhotoByline Withheld)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 79 comments

793tango

Feb 20, 2012 7:27 PM CST

OK let me get this...we're supposed to arm the rebels in Syria BUT I read a story the other day that says Al- Qaida has taken up with the rebels and is helping them too....so if we arm the syrian rebels aren't we guilty of aiding terrorists and can't McCain and Graham be arrested by Homeland Security for 'Materially aiding terrorists'??? They might want to rethink this one.....

SPHeroid

Feb 20, 2012 7:02 PM CST

For the life of me I don't understand why the GOP is always so pro-war...... It may have something to do with money......

Person12345

Feb 20, 2012 6:47 PM CST

How does McCain keep getting re-elected? Are those people in Arizona brain dead or what.

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Senators McCain, Graham Push to Arm Syrian Rebels

They argue that a new government there would weaken Iran

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

John McCain • Syria • Lindsey Graham • weapons • Syrian uprising • Free Syrian Army

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