McCain: US ‘credibility in Middle East has never been lower’

President Obama’s lack of a response to atrocities in Syria have brought U.S. credibility in the Middle East to an all-time low, according to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). 

McCain ripped Obama for doing little in response to reports of chemical weapons attacks by Syrian forces two years after President Obama began calling for the government’s ouster and one year after the president said that using chemical weapons would cross a “red line.” 

“American credibility in the Middle East has never been lower,” McCain said in a statement. “Red lines on Syria have been threatened with no action taken. Threats to cut off assistance to Egypt have been made and then reneged. Our friends and enemies alike, both in the Middle East and across the world are questioning whether America has the will and the capacity to do what it says.”

{mosads}McCain has long called for the United States to enforce a no-fly zone over areas of Syria that have been taken over by the rebels. He has also said the administration should call the Egyptian army’s ouster of President Mohamed Morsi a coup and freeze the $1.3 billion in annual military aid to the country.

The White House has declined to make a coup determination in Egypt but is reviewing its assistance. In Syria, the administration concluded two months ago that Assad’s forces had used chemical weapons and said it would be sending small arms to the rebels.

McCain said Thursday it was past time for the White House to do much more.

“Credible reports coming out of Syria suggest that Assad and his forces have escalated their use of chemical weapons. This most recent massacre of innocent men, women, and children should shock our collective conscience – that is, whatever conscience remains after more than 100,000 Syrians have been slaughtered while the United States has largely remained on the sidelines,” McCain said. 

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