2014 SC Senate debate: on War & Peace

Lindsey Graham: More intervention in Iraq avoids an American city in flames

[His opponent Thomas] Ravenel says, "Stop fearmongering using other people's sound bites--and other people's blood and treasure--and give us some hard numbers," Ravenel said. "Tell us exactly how much is it going to cost to mold Iraq into the country you want it to be? Trillions of dollars and thousands of lives have already been lost there in the name of 'nation-building'--yet the situation is worse than it's ever been."

President Barack Obama launched so-called "humanitarian" airstrikes in northern Iraq last week.

Thomas Ravenel: Intervention in Iraq based on same nonsense as in past

Graham said this week that if America didn't step up its military intervention in Iraq, he envisioned "an American city in flames."

Ravenel invoked Syria in pointing out the hypocrisy of Graham's calls for additional military strikes against ISIS. "I'm confused by Senator Graham's statements," Ravenel said. "Didn't his buddy John McCain recently pose with ISIS fighters that our government supported in Syria? How exactly does he square that? Why would we support ISIS in one country yet bomb it in another?"

Ravenel has challenged McCain to debate him on foreign policy since Graham is "too afraid" to appear in a series of 11 televised town hall debates proposed by Ravenel. McCain, like Graham, has not responded to the challenge.

Thomas Ravenel: U.S. military is over-involved overseas

Thomas Ravenel: Republicans are pro-invading this or that country

"As a Republican, if you're not anti-gay, anti-immigrant, pro-war and pro-invading this or that country, you get the cold shoulder," he said from his Mt. Pleasant, S.C. real estate office. "At some point you rationalize certain viewpoints, cognitive dissonance notwithstanding, and you adopt that platform. And the Democrats do the same thing on their side."

He also speaks of the overarching need for Americans to reevaluate their relationship with their government, "We need to ask not what your government can do for you, but what you can do for yourself and where necessary, what you can do for others."

Lindsey Graham: Obama "screams loudly & carries no stick," in Russia & Syria

Graham also released a new ad earlier this week touting his opposition to Obama on foreign policy: "He stands up for America and our troops, challenging the president, asking the tough questions on Iran, Benghazi and radical Islam," the ad's narrator says. "In a dangerous world where the only guarantee of peace is strength, Lindsey Graham stands strong."

Newt Gingrich: Obama "screams loudly & carries no stick," in Russia & Syria

Jay Stamper: Don't go on "war footing" against Russia over Ukraine

Obama warned of "costs" if Russia moved into Ukraine, and was on the phone Saturday with Putin, telling him to pull out. Obama called Putin's actions a "clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity," according to a White House statement. It was the first conversation between Obama and Putin since the crisis escalated, and the exchange was a testy one, White House officials said.

Lindsey Graham: Support the Syrian rebels against Assad & Iran

When asked about the al Qaeda operatives disguised within the opposition, Graham stated, "The Syrian people started this revolution through peaceful demonstrations. These radical Islamists are hijacking this revolution." Senator Graham recognizes the danger posed by the extremists. In fact, this acknowledgment drives his contention that the US must involve itself in the Syrian civil war. "The Iranians are backing Assad for a reason." He says, "We need to be backing people who would replace Assad who are not radical Islamists and that's most Syrians"

Lee Bright: Intervention in Syria would help the Muslim Brotherhood

State Sen. Lee Bright, known for his inflammatory claims and bombastic bravado, went even further. "John McCain and Lindsey Graham seem willing to go to the ends of the earth to help the Muslim Brotherhood," he zapped.

Graham never engaged his foes directly, but his comments encapsulated the arduous sell to the public. "I don't want another Iraq or Afghanistan war because that's just not what we need to do," he said, before outlining his support for a contained military strike designed to degrade Syria's ability to deliver chemical weapons in the future and assist those who want to overthrow President Bashar Assad.

Lindsey Graham: Intervention in Syria to degrade Assad's chemical weapons

Graham never engaged his foes directly, but his comments encapsulated the arduous sell to the public. "I don't want another Iraq or Afghanistan war because that's just not what we need to do," he said, before outlining his support for a contained military strike designed to degrade Syria's ability to deliver chemical weapons in the future and assist those who want to overthrow President Bashar Assad.

Facing that strain of skepticism, Graham wound up his case on Syria intervention by raising the stakes considerably. He painted a frightening picture of cascading world events that would reverberate far beyond the borders of a civil war in one Middle Eastern country.

Lindsey Graham: Getting Syria wrong leads to Iranian nukes & war with Israel

Nancy Mace: Intervention in Syria would bolster al-Qaida

State Sen. Lee Bright, known for his inflammatory claims and bombastic bravado, went even further. "John McCain and Lindsey Graham seem willing to go to the ends of the earth to help the Muslim Brotherhood," he zapped.

Graham never engaged his foes directly, but his comments encapsulated the arduous sell to the public. "I don't want another Iraq or Afghanistan war because that's just not what we need to do," he said, before outlining his support for a contained military strike designed to degrade Syria's ability to deliver chemical weapons in the future and assist those who want to overthrow President Bashar Assad.

Lindsey Graham: Syria: Assad must go, and small arms won't do it

GRAHAM: I really don't know [Obama's goal]. But the goal should be to basically make sure Assad leaves. Last year, Assad was isolated; he was hanging by a thread. This year, he's entrenched with Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia. I think our goal should be in the short term is to balance the military power and providing small arms won't do it. So we need to create a no-fly zone to neutralize the Assad's air power.

Q: So you're saying [about Obama's plan] this is too late, this is too little?

GRAHAM: Right. What does it mean if they lose? Syria becomes a powder keg for the region. There's 60,000 Syrian children in Jordan. The kingdom is under siege in terms of refugees. Hezbollah is all over Syria, so Lebanon's even more unstable. Our policies are not working. And AK-47s will not neutralize the advantage that Assad has over the rebels. We need to do more.

Q: So only by taking out Assad can we have peace in this civil war?

GRAHAM: Assad must go.

Lindsey Graham: Get involved in Syria to protect against al Qaeda and Iran

GRAHAM: No, I haven't been satisfied for a long time. Four things are going to happen if we don't change course in Syria

1. It's going to become a failed state by the end of the year. It's going to be an al Qaeda safe haven.
2. The chemical weapons are going to be compromised and fall into the wrong hands.
3. I worry about the king of Jordan. He's had 500,000 refugees flood his country from Syria. His kingdom could fall.
4. If we keep this hands-off approach to Syria, we're going to have a war with Iran because Iran's going to take our inaction in Syria as meaning we're not serious about their nuclear weapons program. We need to get involved.

GRAHAM: There's nothing you can do in Syria without risk, but the greatest risk is a failed state with chemical weapons falling in the hands of radical Islamists.

Lindsey Graham: Slow Afghan withdrawal, with 15,000 US troops left behind

GRAHAM: Right.

Q: What speed should the US withdraw the 66,000 remaining troops in Afghanistan?

GRAHAM: I think it should be done based on the best military advice our commanders can give.

Q: Apparently Gen. Allen wants them to stay until the end of next year.

GRAHAM: I think that's a good decision. I want to withdraw our forces in a reasoned way. I would love to be able to support Obama's winding down Afghanistan. I would love to be able to say you've done a good job here. Don't withdraw too quick. Leave them through next fall and withdraw in an organized manner, but announce soon, Mr. President, that we're not leaving Afghanistan. we're going to have a robust military force left behind, as an insurance policy against the Taliban and al Qaeda.

Q: Give me a number.

GRAHAM: I think somewhere in the 15,000 to 20,000 range, depending on what the military commanders say