Top Dem: Time To Get Tough With Putin

[Purveyor]

Source: The Hill

By Julian Hattem - 10/02/15 06:13 PM EDT

The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee wants the U.S. to get more aggressive with Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop Moscow from undermining America’s efforts in Syra.

“Frankly, it’s time to get tough with Mr. Putin,” Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) said on C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” in an interview set to air Sunday.

“I think we’ve been too lenient with him in terms of Ukraine, we’ve been too lenient with him in terms of all the other mischief he’s making, and how he’s doing it in Syria. But the United States can’t do it alone,” he said.

Engel’s comments underscore the simmering frustration in the U.S. as Russia begins launching airstrikes against Syrian rebels.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/255823-top-dem-time-to-get-tough-with-putin

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Republican Rubio Seeks Aggressive Approach To Russia

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio called for a more aggressive approach to Russia on Friday, including new sanctions against major officials and companies.

During an appearance at a national security forum in Iowa, the Florida senator called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "gangster and a thug," adding "I stand by that phrasing."

Rubio said if he's elected, he'll seek additional visa bans and asset freezes, provide more assistance to Ukraine and limit diplomatic engagement with Moscow "on issues not essential to resolving the crisis in Ukraine."

"We are barreling toward a second Cold War," Rubio said. "The more our current president fails the test of leadership against Putin, the more important it becomes for our next president to pass it. And I will pass that test if I am given that opportunity."

MORE...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_2016_RUBIO_RUSSIA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-10-02-16-44-29

[PSPS]

1. "America’s efforts in Syria"

The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee wants the U.S. to get more aggressive with Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop Moscow from undermining America’s efforts in Syria.

Yes, our "efforts" consist of arming of the An-Nusra Front, which is another radical jihadi group tied to al-Qaeda in Syria. I'm all for undermining that.

[frizzled]

2. America doesn't like Putin actually rolling up ISIS and Al Qaeda

I wonder why?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. Putin will "roll up" any group that opposes Assad. nt

[frizzled]

16. Why does America like destroying stable governments so much?

I await your production of the "moderate" Islamists fighting Assad.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

17. You asking me? I would have let Saddam Hussein keep Kuwait in '91

We could make deals with Saddam, and the Kuwaiti rulers were/are no model of democracy.

There was no need for Desert Shield / Desert Storm.

[Depaysement]

3. Eliot Engel?

Top Dem?

Where? Planet Israel?

Please.

[oberliner]

5. Planet Israel?

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

How about the House of Representatives where he is the ranking Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee?

[Depaysement]

12. A lesser light of the NY delegation

And another love it or leave it supporter of Israel regardless of the issue. Is that clear enough for you?

[arendt]

10. +100. Never heard of him. Top Democrat??? n/t

[oberliner]

4. Cue the Putin apologists

I see some have responded already.

[frizzled]

6. Cue the pro-Saudi neocons openly supporting Al Qaeda

nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

14. Name calling advances the arguments of neither pro-Saudi neocons nor Putin apologists.

Why don't you guys discuss the issues?

[David__77]

7. The Democratic Party has such divergent views within it.

Many Democrats support the Iran deal. Many, like Engel, oppose it:

https://engel.house.gov/latest-news1/engel-statement-on-iran-deal1/

Some advocate regime change in Syria. Others oppose it.

I don't imagine that I'd support Engel, were I living in his district.

[busterbrown]

9. Thank My Lord Jesus.. We have a sensible/smart President..

And I’m Jewish!!

[bemildred]

8. Posturing buffoons. nt

[BillZBubb]

11. Fools. If Putin wants to get Russia entangled in the Syrian/ISIS mess

we should be cheering from the sidelines.

Rubio couldn't find Russia on a map.

[lsewpershad]

13. What is America's position?

to get rid of Assad at all cost... no matter if we have to arm and support terrorists? apparently we have not learned what happens when we support regime change?

[geek tragedy]

18. Engel is a Neocon twerp on foreign policy. Shares a brain with Dick Cheney.

Was a big fan of invading Iraq, wanted a war with Iran, gets a boner every time Israel blows up some Palestinians, and now is trying to start a shooting war with Russia.

Screw Elliot Engel.