Ex-Ambassador: US Strike Might Get Assad's Attention in Syria

Some military action might be necessary in Syria to get President Bashar al-Assad's attention, according to former U.S. ambassador Michael McFaul.

"I was for military strikes in 2013," when he served as U.S. ambassador, McFaul told MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

"Then, there were things to lose, with respect to the chemical weapons deal, with respect to Iran. There's not as much to lose today. I think some strike, to show that we are taking this seriously, might get President Assad's attention."

The former ambassador noted the deal with Assad and Russia in which Syria promised to get rid of chemical weapons.

"Obviously, Mr. Assad has violated that," McFaul said. "And in my view, obviously the Russians probably knew about it. They're much closer to this regime than we are."

The situation in Syria might make Trump change his mind about Russia, McFaul said.

"I hope this moment will be a sobering moment for the president, and that he'll understand that we [the U.S. and Russia] do have different interests with respect to Syria."

McFaul also took issue with comments from President Donald Trump against former president Barack Obama.

"President Trump is the president today," McFaul said. "Whatever happened in the past — sorry. He said he inherited this mess. Well, guess what, every president feels that way."

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