FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

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Centcom Chief: Syrian Government Is Winning the Civil War in Syria

March 14, 2018 (EIRNS)—Gen. Joseph Votel, the commander of U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday that the Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, has won the civil war, reports Military.com. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) asked Votel, “Is it too strong a statement that, with Russia and Iran’s help, Assad has won the civil war in Syria?” Votel responded: “I don’t think that is too strong of a statement. I think they have provided him the wherewithal to be ascendant at this point.” When asked if it is still U.S. policy that “Assad must go,” Votel replied, “I don’t know that that’s our particular policy at this particular point.”

During the same hearing, Votel also expressed support for the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

“The JCPOA addresses one of the principal threats that we deal with from Iran, so if the JCPOA goes away, then we will have to have another way to deal with their nuclear weapons program,”

he said.

“There would be some concern (in the region), I think, about how we intended to address that particular threat if it was not being addressed through the JCPOA. ... Right now, I think it is in our interest”

to stay in the deal, Votel said.