WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) questioned General Joseph Votel, Commander of United States Central Command, on the status of a number of serious global threats to America’s national security, including the President’s proposed withdrawal of troops from Syria, the impact of this possible withdrawal on the fight against ISIS, and the danger of a nuclear Iran. During the hearing, Senator King referenced:

President Trump’s announcement that he planned to remove troops from Syria:

“General, were you aware of the President’s intention to order the withdrawal of our troops from Syria before that was publicly announced?” asked Senator King.

“I was not aware of the specific announcement. Certainly we were aware that he had expressed a desire and an intent in the past to depart from [Syria],” responded General Votel.

“So you weren’t consulted before that decision was announced?” continued King.

“I was not consulted,” said Votel (Beginning at 0:01)

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Concerns regarding impact of troop withdrawal on fight against ISIS:

“One of my concerns about withdrawal with that many ISIS fighters still in the area is that they’ll just wait us out,” said Senator King. “The President announces a withdrawal – the saying I’ve heard is, ‘The Americans have the watches but we have the time’ – are they just going to wait and hunker down for a couple of years, or a couple of months, and then resuscitate their efforts? If you were their military commander wouldn’t that be what you’d do? Say ‘these guys are leaving, we’ll just bide our time?’” (Beginning at 1:41)

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Importance of protecting America’s Kurdish partners:

“If [the Kurds] are slaughtered by the Turks within the reasonable proximity of our leaving, it will be a stain on the honor of this country that will persist not only in terms of honor, but also in terms of our ability to attract allies to assist us in future projects of this kind,” said Senator King. “That’s my biggest fear about what’s going on now, and I believe the Turks are waiting.” (Beginning at 2:51) 

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At different points during the hearing, Senator King also addressed the threat of a nuclear Iran, particularly in light of the President’s exit from the Iran Deal, and the ongoing discussions with the Taliban that do not include Afghanistan’s government. Senator King expressed concern on both of these decisions in terms of the ability to ensure long-term stability and protect American security interests in the region.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as a thoughtful voice on national security and foreign policy issues in the Senate. In addition to his committee work, he serves on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the Senate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Observer Group, and the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.