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CONGRESSMAN LIEU COMMENDS ADMINISTRATION FOR ENDING SYRIAN TRAIN & EQUIP PROGRAM, CALLS FOR END TO U.S. AIRSTRIKES

October 9, 2015

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement commending the Administration for ending the Syrian rebel training program, and calling again for an end to U.S. airstrikes.

"I commend the Administration for ending the US program to train so-called ‘moderate' Syrian ground forces. Now is the time to also end US airstrikes in Syria. As a graduate of Air War College, I strongly believe—and history shows—that airstrikes without accompanying ground forces are significantly less effective and can even be counterproductive.

"The entry of Russian military forces in Syria further highlights the dangers of US airstrikes. US air combat operations in Syria increase the chances that US and Russian forces will inadvertently engage each other or operate at cross purposes.

"Moreover, the Administration has yet to put forward a comprehensive strategy for the war in Syria and Congress has yet to authorize the use of force. The recurrent U.S. bombing in Syria does not appear to have made the situation more stable. More Syrian refugees, not less, are fleeing Syria. The U.S. should be using our limited resources to do everything we can to address the worst refugee crisis in a generation rather than risking American lives and wasting taxpayer dollars by continuing to intervene militarily in a complicated and dangerous civil war halfway across the world."

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