Sen. Bernie Sanders wants to work with Russia and Iran to reach a political settlement that would see Syrian President Bashar Assad step down from power.
Sanders’ plan may expose more of his inexperience on foreign policy, since Russia and Iran are the isolated country’s two main allies.
Sanders added that he’d work with Iran and Russia to destroy the Islamic State as well, which he sees as the first priority in the region.
“Our first priority must be the destruction of ISIS,” he said. “Our second priority must be getting rid of Assad through some political settlement, working with Iran, working with Russia.”
The Vermont senator had tough words for Assad.
“Assad is a butcher of his own people, a man using chemical weapons against his own people,” Sanders said. “This is beyond disgusting.”
He added that an international coalition is needed, made up primarily of countries from the region, to combat the Islamic State.
“The immediate task is to bring all interests together who want to destroy ISIS, including Russia, including Iran, including our Muslim allies, to make that the major priority,” he said.
