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Hi welcome -- -- country this is -- time each week.
Here on Fox News act how to live where we go beyond the soundbites -- dig deeper into the national security issues today.
I'm KT McFarland and we want you to join the discussions.
So get to us via Twitter.
Or -- live chat send us your questions and I'll ask the experts with you.
Today Russia says it's sending warships to Syria and the united nations Security Council taking up the Syrian conflict.
Is the Obama administration allowing Russia to gain nuclear superiority over the United States and -- we end this standoff between Egypt's new president.
And the Supreme Court military leaders but look at Libya's liberal former prime minister who appears from the ballot box he could get back -- office.
But first stop -- the crisis in Syria.
-- -- Leland better has the latest from Jerusalem -- Hi -- -- big headlines today coming out in Syria is what's headed in this area those.
Five Russian warships that set off from Russian ports towards the only foreign.
Russian naval base there is there on Syria's Mediterranean coast these -- -- Including at least one destroyer class -- know that Moscow has been very careful now.
Tuesday did these ships and their cargo have nothing to do with the ongoing conflict inside Syria that's Moscow's -- -- telegraphing that there are no weapons on board.
Bound for president -- -- army however it's important to understand just what -- large show of support.
This is for president -- by the Russians have certainly taken.
A lot of heat in the diplomatic community it also shows.
The Russians believe they're naval base there in Syria is going to be secure for awhile longer they certainly wouldn't be reinforcing it.
If it wasn't their belief that -- it's been very important for president aside as -- survived the past eighteen months of this uprising.
Largely due to support not only of the Russians at the United Nations protect him from sanctions but also support from Russia in terms of weapons.
Ammunition.
And money.
The he has needed inside Syria the violence of course continues the latest amateur video we see.
Coming out of there are -- shows the couples are becoming a little bit better organized a little bit better armed as they've been able now to take the fight to Syrian army and walked a number.
Of Syrian army tanks now the question is.
It will this better armed better organized rebel group be able to stop the shelling that's going on still of civilian populations at places like homes.
Biden -- Syrian army certainly know.
These attacks on the Syrian tanks is going to give pause to the army has been able to operate.
Basically with impunity throughout all of Syria and it also shows the rebels are becoming.
More sophisticated as we're learning that the friends of Syria the United States France the UK in countries like that.
Are going to begin sending the Syrian opposition communications gear and other types of support today at the United Nations the Security Council right now is considering.
What to do about the UN peacekeeping force that inside Syria the peacekeepers when -- They went out and observed a lack of a cease fire for lack of any other words on our part.
And then -- up having to stay in their compound because the violence got so bad there.
Inside Syria the Security Council now gonna take this up it still KT.
Russia and China are protecting the Syrians unlikely we're gonna get any meaningful out of the united nations Security Council at least this time around back to you.
Absolutely and cut the amount of former chief of the United Nations has been in your part of the world -- if you could drop support.
For a cease fire for some kind of involvement with Iran do you think that there is there's going to be any progress made from kofia.
-- Well you have to look at history -- nine is -- need promised a lot of things by the Syrians in the opposition needs promised the world a lot of things and brokered a lot of deals so far though eighteen months.
There hasn't even been one minute of -- much less something meaningful.
That he's been able to bring to the table on the other hand his hands are kind of ideas there's nothing he has to offer president decide if he does indeed.
Live up to his cease fire promises but -- -- brings up an important point Syria has three main allies China Russia and Iran so far -- has been left out.
Of any of the conversations here in his point is.
If we wanna try to have some kind of meaningful resolution inside Syria somebody could put pressure on president aside -- rainy and whether they would or not.
Is up for debate but the thought the president decide -- -- all of a sudden.
Offer some kind of democratic transition just out of good will seems highly unlikely especially considering these RD killed about 171000 his own people.
In his process of keeping power there wouldn't be a -- reason at this point for him to stand down -- -- -- China Russia or Iran switches sides.
That of course would be a game changer.
Okay well thank you very much clearer and better reporting from the -- -- on the current situation in Syria thank you.
We're gonna take a break and then come back and talked to Rebecca hire us.
Of The Heritage Foundation and talk about Russia what's Russia up to in the world today.
I welcome back to -- three.
Now talk about Russia and then -- -- a bit later -- -- we've got former.
US ambassador to Egypt frank wizard he's been on the show before he's terrific at responding to your questions so we'd like you all to join the conversation.
Send us questions -- -- Twitter or by the live chat I promise we'll get the man.
-- I wanna turn to Rebecca -- from The Heritage Foundation she's in Washington DC.
And she's written recently about Russia in the new Russia and while the United States and the Obama administration has had an approach or try to reset relations with Russia.
In fact Russia is turning in the other direction and -- is getting set.
Getting set to resume being -- the old Soviet empire.
Under the new president who in the background is about Russia what do you think they're up to -- why are -- sending ships to Syria why are -- sending.
Ships -- they Arctic region whether they after.
We'll Russia specifically underpinning.
Desires how are they desire to be a superpower and they see power.
As a struggle between themselves and the United States so at every turn.
Russia has tried to undermine what the United States is doing in the Middle East and and Eastern Europe.
-- so do you think the Russians still view of the world banner of the good old days of the Cold War and want to revive that Russian US competition.
Certainly seems so the election leading up to and couldn't just.
Was our reelected into the presidency.
-- a lot of rhetoric that Harken back the old imperialism nationalistic sentiment that still resonates with the Russian people.
And she's kind of stoked a new paranoia.
Anti Americanism that it's very -- that.
Within Russia and so he has combined that domestically with this very forceful.
Foreign policy in which she is opposing an undermining US influence my Gillick -- -- in serious specifically and and Iran.
-- -- think that's there's some opportunity there sometimes the best.
Foreign policy and diplomacy is made with countries but you look at as your adversaries is -- any opening have the Obama administration -- you think there was one.
We're the United States could go to couldn't and -- -- We can work together over Syria we could work together over the growing rising potentially military threat of China is there.
Is there any room for the promising very very do you think that couldn't really is going in the direction avenue Cold War.
Well this is this is a troublesome.
Problem.
-- Obama has pursued this reset with Russia he has.
Again and again tried to offered diplomatic overtures towards Russia and Russia's frankly just turned them down and embarrass the United States at every turn.
It would it seems almost like Russia is living in a parallel world with the United States there's a lot of things that they simply just don't see the way we do.
-- we see Iran as posing a threat to Europe as well as the United States into Russia in the long run Russia does not see it that way which is why.
Couldn't has opposed the United States working with NATO to build a missile defense system in Europe they don't think that it's necessary because they don't see it as a threat.
So and it it is difficulty to cooperate and negotiate with with with a country where you see there common interest for they simply just disagree.
Well -- have a Russian economy I was met with big Russian.
Treasury minister.
A couple of months ago and I must say he sounded like the newest capital -- -- -- block.
He said Russia's balance its books it doesn't do deficit spending Russia's looking for western investment -- -- this energy sector.
It looks to want to expand from just being a resource exporter exporting oil and natural gas and wants to build out.
You -- heavy industry it do you think that Russia's going in that direction.
Unfortunately I don't although I see that there be a wonderful opportunity for the United States and Russia to find commonalities.
And especially in the marketplace the problem is that domestically.
Russia doesn't have set rules that some investors can depend on.
It's run more like a mafia Kati and so I think investors are a little bit unsure about investing in that in the Russian market.
And -- until until.
Russia -- and can sort out its domestic problems especially in that regard and I think that there's going to be some hesitancy on the part of international investors.
After Russia on a -- in connection.
-- It's probably one of the biggest problems.
And regards the United States national security.
Russia again has used the Iran US problem.
To push back on US interests in the region and to show that Russia still has.
Influence -- so.
You know Russia cooperate facilitates allows emboldens for Iran to continue its nuclear weapons program.
-- if it wasn't for Russia Iran wouldn't be as far as it is in the Bushehr nuclear facility.
And rush.
Contends that the dual purpose parts those are parts that can be used for a variety of things civilian purposes as well as military purposes.
Continue to be shipped to Iran from Russia they say that the Russian government doesn't have anything to do with it.
-- of course not true.
The Russian government knows what's coming in and out -- country.
But that Russia continues to allow Russian and cities to embolden and perpetuate the Iranian nuclear program I'm in the face of international opposition.
Okay what if there's some of the United States -- -- about administration's proposed reducing the US nuclear stockpile.
But you've argued that the Russians are in fact building up their nuclear stockpile.
What's your sense of this.
Americans often.
Fall victim of the problem of assuming that the rest of the world thinks the way we do.
On and it's particularly dangers in regards nuclear weapons.
An American president doesn't once employ -- nuclear weapon and so we would like to patent many on individuals and in the policy world.
Want to get rid of nuclear weapons on the planet thinking about -- -- and so since the only nuclear weapons an American president can really control our own.
This president has pursued an agenda of getting rid of US nuclear weapons either by allowing them to -- your feet.
Failing to modernize them or in fact getting word of them out right.
Meanwhile the Russian government understands -- nuclear weapons are the backbone of its foreign policy.
So they are modernizing -- -- they're building new ones Kati and their building -- deeply.
Very facilities in which to store.
-- the the parts of the military that allow their nuclear arsenal to offer -- credible.
The -- the United States and our allies in fact.
Russia since 2007 has actually threaten to use nuclear weapons fifteen times some against American.
Military facilities.
-- question Rebecca I know that you know that the deal about this show is that people write in their questions and -- I get to ask the questions of you the experts.
So this -- you never know what's coming.
Henry just has a question.
About Iran being a appointed to the UN arms panel.
If the president goes along with -- -- a UN ban treaty ban.
On US and worldwide arms sales whereas Russia at all -- Good question.
You know every time the United States.
Attempts to limit arms.
You know -- -- -- can only do have bilaterally.
But then their their countries that are truly the problems.
-- Russia and China a lot of ways.
I don't buy into this.
And so the United States ends up tying our own hands and then allowing these other countries that.
Better than the real problems to allow.
You know on constraint.
Okay well that's Rebecca -- -- just turner question out completely I feel that she handled brilliantly.
So thank you very much Rebecca The Heritage Foundation we're gonna take a break and then come back and try to -- Ambassador Frank -- US the former US ambassador in -- -- although I have a feeling will never be able to stump him.
In a minute.
I welcome back to death country as promised we have ambassador frank -- are with us again -- called it a couple weeks ago he was here with us right before the Egyptian election.
And he gave an absolutely brilliant announced that for the situation in Egypt.
And said that he had no idea who's gonna win the election so we made a promise that he would come back after the Egyptian election I -- -- another brilliant analysis of what those elections.
Areas today ambassador Frank Wisner former United States ambassador to Egypt so what are we -- give -- the Muslim Brotherhood candidate want.
He certainly did.
And the decision was taken -- the vote was counted.
I am -- more -- is the new president to be chipped.
He's in office and -- off to a brave new future there is this a Muslim Brotherhood that we should worry about.
Well I think the Muslim Brotherhood is coming into power in Egypt for the first time in its eighty plus year history.
It's had no experience in government.
It's made a number of promises.
Its made a number of commitments.
We are right now seeing a major test of wills.
Between the new president.
And the court system of Egypt the president has challenged in the court system and cold the parliament back into session.
-- remember the current system the Supreme Court.
Had dissolved parliament just a few days before the election -- -- you talked about when you were here before that's correct and so Morrissey is an asset is back.
Calling that parliament back it returned very briefly didn't stay in session very long.
The court is no repeated.
Its injunction against the return of parliament.
And the outcome is still to be seen what is going to happen next worth -- military rounds.
Military is watching very carefully.
But what -- is the United States it's extremely important.
Did we watch the egyptians -- situation.
Play out and its own dynamic.
This is a serious moment.
Of Egypt having to work its way through a very delicate and enormously important transfer of power.
And transition.
I would argue that we the United States both -- the rule of law to transpire.
And we want to uphold the principle.
Of the democracy in the egyptians.
Or in the same predicament they've got to work out a way to manage this transition.
Okay if you look at -- of Egypt is the kind of issue pointed out to us before -- the most.
Populous country so one of the greatest history as -- country that the other Muslim and Arab countries in the region with him.
So the one thing we don't want to see happen is real I mean Egypt as a becomes another Pakistan becomes ungovernable.
That becomes chaotic and -- and -- -- around throughout the region is there anything the United States can do.
To help the egyptians along with this process particularly given there -- about to face I just -- fall off a cliff economically by the end of the year.
Yes tonight I think -- do you put your finger on it that's exactly where the United States can intervene.
We don't have a -- gonna fight between the constitutional court.
The -- and the new president.
You shouldn't have been afterward that -- -- where we do have a major interest is in Egypt's stability and that's.
Intimately related to the economy.
As you quite correctly point out there is a huge problem.
Budget with a hole in the middle.
Why it is.
Great big ocean.
You have a job trying to create jobs and stimulate development.
All of these things have got to -- the egyptians are going to have to turn.
And face those economic realities.
And here we couldn't be -- and a good advisor a catalyst for international.
Cooperation with Egypt that's where we can play an effective.
Which album working on Capitol Hill and and the testimony you give and congress is gonna take one look at this and say the Muslim Brotherhood their anti America and their anti Israeli why should we continue to pick up the aid bill.
For our country economic chaos that may end up being anti American.
Well we obviously are good to have bankrolled.
And blatantly anti American country -- I -- think Egypt is likely to be there.
Nor do I believe that Egypt is going to put itself in a position where threatens.
Israel.
What we have to go back women -- marathon runner even -- of the new book Muslim Brotherhood they'll be very careful and our interest to make sure that.
That -- -- careful.
And that we stay engaged for the very reasons we didn't -- true feature for the past thirty years keeping the peace in the region.
We need to have cards to play in the Egyptian poker game.
And that means having an aid program that can help influence where -- is it can't solve Egypt's economic problems.
But it can and it gives us the right to be at the table and help Egypt.
Face its problems and bring others to the table.
From the gulf.
-- the World Bank the IMF.
We have a position in which we can leverage our influence if we are at the table for that reason.
Maintaining the economic assistance program is in our national interest.
And then maintain a military relationship -- -- relations for exactly the same reasons we need to be able to have.
A very important working relationship with Egypt's military they will be decisive in maintaining.
The situation of peace and war in the area.
Actually be nervous that the newly elected Mohammed -- has gone there -- run.
I'm less worried about new president's going to Iran.
I think we have to do see what that means in terms of Egyptian policies.
-- Egypt is unlikely in the extreme.
To associate itself with Iran.
Egypt is not of that ilk that's -- its type of this long.
Egypt needs the saudis in the gulf.
They are at loggerheads with the Iranians.
They know that we have sensitivities.
Being able to -- -- -- in all the different courts in the Middle East is in Egypt's interest but to associate themselves.
With Iranian policies is not and I don't think they're gonna follow that.
About Syria and diplomacy seems to have failed and failed pretty miserable in the Russians are sending warships.
And this -- into the one part of Syria although somebody is described it to me it's not really a Russian court is this a gas station.
Whether -- an -- battery dealer Russian ships is is there anything that can be done with Syria and I guess particularly than the Russian connection with soon.
Well.
What quarter we faced -- heart and Syria.
-- a country that sliding towards a hideous civil war and with the potential of huge loss of life inside Syria and the violence spilling over Syria's borders.
Into Iraq -- to Jordan.
Affecting Israel into Lebanon and to Turkey.
A real regional disaster.
That's the real question we have to try every way.
Every formula in the book -- try to head that off and diplomacy is a formula if you don't try the to win the first time try again Kofi Annan is put.
Ideas on the table of -- transition.
Away from the Assad regime.
To a future.
Shared arrangement.
Those ideas have not yet had traction that doesn't mean we shouldn't pursue them the alternative is chaos.
Disaster.
And real regional problems in which our interest are affected.
And about the Russia and -- couldn't aside connection the Russians Syria -- -- Russia has interests in Syria doesn't necessarily have any state put the aside -- Would the Russians see a world where they can.
It kind of -- play they're Russian military might play the role with the Syrian military that the American military played with Egypt and exiting the leader from the states.
I think you made a very important point.
We both don't want the Russians to.
Give the current Syrian government so much reason to resist that we never get peace and we get a civil war at the same time.
Having the Russians playing a hand in which they nudged his regime forward.
Into the post a solid period that's in our interest the Russians have a long relationship with Syria right we're not gonna change that fact.
But what we can try to do is use it to our advantage by making it clear that if the Russians want to maintain.
Correct ties to the United States in the rest of Europe.
Then we all need to work in parallel towards a new future for Syria that's where it -- this and.
And where -- and the secretary of state.
And others try to scold and shame.
Who and -- the Russians or is there a better way do you attract more lives but coming -- well America's second guessed right there right.
It is hardly the only.
I think he had some some of both.
Reminding.
Russians in public of where we -- ought to be at the same time speaking privately and working out cooperative arrangements you need to do a bit of the boat.
Talk to me about a run.
You get the -- -- gets the bomb we bomb Iran is there -- some other option.
Well I'm I think the worst option that I can imagine -- the moment -- the two you've cited blocking so either damnation or.
One way or the other a bomb in Iran sends means instant proliferation.
In the region.
A bomb a a region that.
In which we have gone to war.
Either -- supporter watched Israel go to war has another set of terrifically negative owner perhaps -- Well there is in that is of course that this country is set and his following.
And that is twofold.
One putting a great deal of pressure on Iran mainly through economic sanctions.
Keeping the military option alive and offering a negotiated way out of the problem.
The negotiations have just started.
45 rounds no they're gonna be more rounds is a very complicated subject.
And it needs to move not only with the nuclear issue but the general situation in Iran is in.
In the region how you keep peace between Iran and ourselves in the region.
Great it's a big topic.
We're gonna have given -- again to talk about.
All the about the hotspots -- -- thank you very much thank you pastor Frank Wisner now patent box that formally US ambassador to agents.
And a great diplomat.
We are now gonna take a break and then come right back and finish up.
With this situation anyway.
Welcome back to -- country there are new developments from the Middle Eastern Syria appearance on the brink of all out civil war we just heard from our -- -- -- -- the region but now the united nations Security Council is meeting in fact today.
To look at that peacekeeping mission in Syria is there any prospect David Lee Miller that the UN headquarters -- -- -- David what's going up.
If you're ever gonna be he's -- area.
From the looks of things not any time soon for the last couple of hours the UN Security Council.
Was briefed by special envoy Kofi and the former Secretary General but just a few moments ago the ambassadors.
Spoke to the media.
Essentially saying that to plans are being put forward now KT.
The British ambassador.
The US ambassador.
A French ambassador talking about -- need for a resolution that is going to be under.
What is described this chapter seven.
The United Nations charter and that.
The UN speech as many no means a resolution that is -- they would have teeth.
We have the ability to demand that -- be consequences -- sanctions against Syria.
If steps are not made to comply with the UN -- -- Resolution also now.
There is a draft resolution being put forward.
By Russia this according to the information we're getting out KT is a much more watered down resolution that -- -- for a cessation of the violence.
But very specifically in this is the QB key difference here the Russians could not talk about any sanctions.
And lastly and this is created so much controversy here today.
Yesterday -- and then went to Iran he met with the Iranian foreign minister and he has said publicly that Iran should be part of this process.
Toward brokering some type of a peace deal and Syria just a few moments ago.
The US ambassador Susan Rice in the United Nations sit specifically KT that -- here is part of the problem not.
Part of the solution.
So it appears at this time that there is still a rift between those who would like -- Russian.
Resolution to that of Russian sponsored resolution to move forward and -- US or British French resolution to move forward.
And lastly still no clear outcome what's gonna happen to the UN observers on the ground their mandate is going to expire.
On July 20 -- One of the proposals put forward says they would -- -- some kind of extension they might have reduced.
Number that's still up in the air.
There'll be more consultations here anyway.
JC well Daily Mail out at the united fans in the Catholic -- as -- -- -- disagrees about everything.
Thank you so much data they well that's hit.
-- that country we talked about Libya we talked about the United Nations Russia Syria or Iran and most and remain about Egypt.
It's been a wild -- on the planet we've been happy to have you with us.
And let's say -- next week.
