Syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer lashed out at National Security adviser Susan Rice following her seemingly premature announcement that the U.S. had reached an agreement with Turkey over using territory to train troops to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Krauthammer told “Special Report” host Bret Baier, after airing Rice’s comments on “Meet The Press” on Sunday, that the adviser’s proclamation, coupled with the Turks’ denial, is a “huge embarrassment” and “unbelievable.” The conservative commentator also blamed President Barack Obama for this failure to reach an agreement, wondering why the Turks would join a war “where the leader of the coalition is not serious.”
Baier: Well this is according to the AP: ‘A Turkish official says there is no agreement with the United States on using an air base in Southern Turkey for operations against the Islamic State group,’ and they pushed back against the whole notion that Turkey has signed on to any new commitment.
Krauthammer: She went on to say that the Turks had agreed to allow us to use their bases, which of course would be crucial because it’s on the border with Syria. It would be near Kobani, would allow us to launch many more airstrikes and more effectively. For her to say it and the Turks deny it is a huge embarrassment. It’s the kind of mistake an amateur would make and you wouldn’t do it in the middle of a war. This is really unbelievable that she could say that, and then Turkey denies it.
I don’t know how they’re going to explain it. Look, it seems to me the Turks understand two things: A) That the Kurds are possible enemies so they are extremely reluctant, but B) that Obama is simply not serious about this war. Why would you join a war where the leader of the coalition is not serious. This is a war, an operation he refuses to give a name to.