Dr. Jasser: Syria Is a 'Client State' of Russia

Russia must learn to fear the United States again – and that means getting tough in Syria as the U.S. did last week with an airstrike on a Syrian air base, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, told Newsmax TV.

"Syria has become a client state of Russia, as is the client state of Iran," Jasser, who also heads the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, told Bill Tucker, guest host of Monday's "America Talks Live."

"I understand that there's always brinksmanship and concern of that, but the greatest thing for American security is that Russia fear the United States . . .

"They're in for the long haul, and I think an American strategy, a western strategy, will have to look at a way in which Russia can maybe maintain those bases, because if they are going to be forced to lose those, it may end up in a confrontation."

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Jasser believes Russia and its President Vladimir Putin will make noise over the U.S. move, but it is likely an empty threat.

"They might threaten red lines and otherwise, but that's a far reach away from them actually confronting the United States," he said.

Jasser is the author of "Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot's Fight to Save His Faith,” published by Threshold Editions.

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