WASHINGTON D.C.– When Russia made a move into Syria, it took the U.S. by surprise. That’s a surprise that Senator Roger Wicker says shouldn’t happen.
“To what extent did this surprise action by Russia in Syria represent an intelligence failure?” Wicker asks retired General John Keane at the Senate Armed Services Committee meeting Thursday.
“Just seeing the reaction,” says Keane, “it appears by every indication that we didn’t have much forewarning of this.”
Keane went on to warn that the Russian leader is watching U.S. decisions in Afghanistan to see if the Administration decides to leave “a force level that will not be effective in helping to maintain security and stability in Afghanistan.” Such action would be seen by Russians and America’s allies as a “track record of retreat and withdrawal,” Keane stated.
Here’s the full exchange from the meeting:
