Assessing Russian, Iranian involvement in Syria

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Retired US army major general Paul -- was recently in Syria meeting with Syrian opposition force since he's a Fox News military analyst chairman of stand up America and and general you said that you just got some brand new information today you were there for the read it in just three weeks ago on the ground.

It's a new information just came -- -- that could impact -- seeing in Syria what is that.

We'll just how a lot of the information I just received about an hour -- updates really validates what Steve was just reported.

The base -- I was.

A privilege to meet to appointed.

Members of the opposition forces on the Turkish border and -- -- -- province in the crossing points or view them what was going on.

But this morning's news is that there's only a couple marriage.

That are specially equipped and armed with new bombs have been provided by Russia.

And that's what they're using.

-- to bomb -- civilian targets right now.

The other information is they have brand new T 82 tanks -- have been.

Off loaded in you know -- -- a lot of he has some people say on the Coast Guard Russian ships.

And they're proceeding over to allow opponent because it is really.

As we speak this morning.

The other information came in that.

Carriers transports coming in from -- wrong.

And do the a lot -- airport -- are carrying supplies and equipment and personnel.

To support the -- regime.

So those are the updates our -- -- really validate with student just us.

There is a general.

What we know base and that information.

Is that Russia and Iran are becoming even more involved.

And helping the Syrian regime we've known name inactive for months -- now according to what you just told us.

Even more so now.

What do you think we should do you met with the opposition groups you've met with these people on the ground you've talked to them face to face.

She we'd be providing arms to those opposition groups.

Well the -- I got about -- -- goes I said was that they would like some indication from the United States.

That we are supporting.

The opposition to be -- sought to radical regime.

So the chessboard it's laid out there you have Russia Iran.

And China to some degree supporting you Saud regime you've got the other part of that just word of Saudi Arabia -- Cotter and Turkey.

Trying to.

Support and supporting with certain equipment and aren't so good just -- has to be carefully fall over there we have to understand what it is.

And then how we're gonna play on that's just -- if at all so.

That's the bottom line as of this morning John how should we be playing -- Welcome -- overtly I think.

Supplying and helping with medical supplies -- -- Turks are.

To the opposition forces -- you gotta realize there's a multitude.

But organizations there conclude the Muslim Brotherhood infiltration al-Qaeda infiltration.

We are in touch with -- free Syrian army as well as the Syrian liberation army people.

They are dedicated not to.

A government that's controlled by Islamic launcher -- they've told me this person they want a -- As secular government over there they want to support to Christians and Sunnis mood -- -- -- The Al whites over their control and our part of the she is so you know -- -- different called just word.

There are people -- Washington have to look at how we're gonna play in this just workers affects the whole Middle East.

-- serious flip the right way it's a dagger into the heart of Iran and Russia.

And that's why Russia and Iran are playing hardball so that's what we have to face up to when we look at that just -- not we're gonna play in -- a football.

General quick final question do you think we're fighting hard enough.

Did play in -- -- -- do you think we understand the stakes enough.

Or based on your experience being -- -- coming back here is there a gap of understanding about what this crisis in Syria.

Really means.

There's a gigantic gap of misunderstanding.

In our intelligence forces a lot of the information I am picking up on providing our government.

In the special operations area.

As well as our intelligence.

-- gathering organizations.

Right augment and help them coming up was some kind of position for America what is our strategy.

-- replay over there.

But at this time I can tell you -- we do not have restructured credibility out of the Middle East at all.

That's why they're looking at these other groups in countries to support.

The various factions and they're playing that -- -- one off against the other.

So we've got to -- on that just -- over there because of the dramatic events that can happen in the next sixty to ninety days.

You see the uprising in Lebanon now exchanging love them on.

When you go to Israel there that's a whole different part of the chessboard so we need to have a forward strategy.

That is actually going to articulate.

Overly an overly how we're gonna help -- assist.

Certain forces over there 78 -- the side -- -- looking for freedom over there.

1718 months of watching this conflict -- in general nice to have you with us today thank you for that new information.

And we -- for a to have you back as Alex.

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Assessing Russian, Iranian involvement in Syria

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