Gabbard Warns Of Nuclear War
The Hawaii Democrat’s remarks came in a House hearing over Islamic State, Russia and Syria and included an accusation that the United States is targeting Russian planes.
Near the end of a congressional hearing Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Rep. Tulsi Gabbard raised the specter of a “devastating nuclear war” should the Obama administration not change its strategy regarding the Islamic State and Syria.
The Hawaii Democrat’s warning came as Defense Secretary Ashton Carter testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the U.S. strategy to defeat ISIS in Iraq.
According to ,ÌýGabbard urged Carter to do more to “ease tensions” between the U.S. and Russia, which are conducting air strikes in Syria against different targets.
The situation has grown more tense with Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian fighter jet last week. Like Turkey, President Barack Obama wants Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to step down, but Russian President Vladimir Putin supports Assad.
Gabbard was described as “lecturing” Carter and “peppering” him with questions, saying at one point that the fighter planes the United States deployed to Turkey recently are intended “to target Russian planes.”
Here’s an excerpt from the newspaper’s story:
“Russia’s installation of their anti-aircraft missile-defense system increases that possibility of — whether it’s intentional or even an accidental event — where one side may shoot down the other side’s plane,” Gabbard said.
“And that’s really where the potential is for this devastating nuclear war.”
Carter acknowledged U.S.-Russian tensions in Syria, but said they were more of a diplomatic obstacle.
Other media, , are also reporting the story.
Gabbard’s views are informed by her military experience. She is a major in the Hawaii Army National Guard and a veteran of Iraq and Kuwait.
Her frequent willingness to criticize Obama, a fellow Democrat who was born in Hawaii, has garnered Gabbard tremendous attention, including in The New York Times.
