John McCain Sneaks Into Syria for Talks With Rebels

Urges Other Congressmen to Do the Same

Rebel-enthusiast Sen. John McCain (R – AZ), no longer content to simply cheer Syria’s Islamist rebellion from the comfort of the Sunday news show circuit, has snuck into northern Syria today for meetings with brigade commanders in the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

Rebel officials familiar with the situation said that McCain’s visit had been planned “for weeks, if not months” and that he made it clear he saw visiting the country as being “pro-active” on getting the US directly involved in the ongoing civil war.

Sen. McCain’s visit last a little over an hour, before he retreated back into neighboring Turkey. McCain also met with rebel leaders inside Turkey before crossing the border.

Rebels lauded McCain’s visit, saying that they need direct US military involvement if they are to impose regime change in the nation, and used his visit to reiterate claims of Iranian and Russian military involvement on the side of the Syrian government.

McCain also insisted his visit was “important” and that other US Congressmen should make the visit to enhance ties with the rebellion.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.