Rep. Adam Smith calls for modest U.S. objectives in Syria

Rep. Adam Smith says there is no obvious solution to the problem of Syria and he remains skeptical of the necessity of a military strike.

The Washington Democrat is urging the Obama administration to focus on dealing with chemical weapons and not try to end the civil war in Syria.

“There are no good options here,” Smith told KIRO Radio’ Jason Rantz. “I think one of the most important things is to be somewhat modest in our goals. This is a problem to be contained. I have not seen anything that looks like a solution.”

Smith says the Obama administration must be cautious and understand that a military strike would have limited impact within Syria.

“One of the reasons that I was supportive of Obama when he was running – and I have been supportive of him – is that I thought he expressed a true understanding of the limitations of U.S. military power to force change in the world,” said Smith.

Smith said that the Obama administration has not been clear in its goals and would be better served to support factions of the Syria rebellion forces that are sympathetic to the U.S.

“That makes a lot more sense than a military strike because the irony is we don’t want Assad, at this point, to lose control of his chemical weapons stockpile because we’re desperately afraid of who would take control of it,” Smith reasoned.

Smith said the Russian proposal, though complicated, gives the U.S. a chance to control the chemical weapons.