Chambliss: We Cannot Ignore Threats to the United States
Statement
Today, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., vice-chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke on the Senate floor about the continued threat from al-Qa'ida and the Obama administration's failed national security policy.
"The Middle East over the last three years has been besieged by a resurgence of instability, violence and terrorism. The administration has chosen to confront this challenge - which has major implications for U.S. national security - by "leading from behind' and relying on an ineffective diplomatic strategy that involves few concrete security measures.
"The shortcomings of this diplomatic strategy are painfully evident in Syria and Iraq. In September of last year the administration praised the U.S. -- Russian deal to disarm Syria of its chemical weapons. The deal was designed to rid Syria of chemical weapons and buy time for a diplomatic solution. Yet here we are today, in a situation where the Syrians have missed countless deadlines, still have chemical weapons, and continue to use barrel bombs filled with chlorine, other chemicals, as well as ball bearings with impunity. In addition to the humanitarian disaster that has unfolded in Syria, allowing the status quo to continue has also given the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the al-Nusrah Front the safe haven they needed to grow into the force that we face today
"Violent extremism is on the rise in the Middle East and the warning signs have been visible for years. These warning signs include the September 2012 attack in Benghazi, the rise of al-Qa'ida affiliated extremist groups like the al-Nusrah Front in Syria, the resurgence of ISIL, and most recently the fall of Mosul. Just yesterday we saw a terrorist flag raised over the largest refinery inside of Iraq. Despite these stark warning signs, the administration has only been willing to take very limited steps to curb this disturbing trend. Instead of focusing on making counterterrorism operations more effective, the administration has been focused on ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while America's enemies grow stronger. This approach has been a huge gamble that continues to jeopardize America's security
"Whether it is Iraq, Afghanistan, or other parts of the Middle East, Americans have fought and died in the war against al-Qa'ida. Our nation is weary of war, but threatening elements still remain [We cannot] abandon the gains we've made in the fight against terrorism since 9/11."
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